Looking for a Used Toyota? You’ll Want to Read This Before You Do Anything

Unfortunately, one size fits all is not a thing in the automotive industry. The phrase "different strokes for different folks" relates more to the automotive market than anything else, but that doesn’t always mean the answer is straightforward. If you’re looking for a Sacramento used Toyota dealer, you’ve decided Toyota would be the best way to go – and you’re right. However, a few questions may still linger even though you’ve decided which manufacturer to research. For example, how do you know which Toyota vehicle is right for you? What does your budget look like, and what features are you the most interested in? We’ll give you the run-down on how to decide which Toyota vehicle is right for you, and we’ll give you some prime examples. Once you've narrowed your choices, you can visit us at Future Toyota, and we’ll get you behind the wheel of the vehicle that piques your interest the most.

Recognizing Your Budget

Vehicles cost money. That has always been the case and will continue to be. Not everybody is a millionaire, and vehicle manufacturers know this, so creating a product that exhibits value to the masses is the right move from a business standpoint. Manufacturers like Toyota have all the sales data to determine how they will cater to a myriad of incomes. Long story short, you won’t be left in the dust without a vehicle to drive, and the car you purchase won’t leave much to be desired.

The most budget-friendly Toyota vehicles include the Corolla, Corolla Hatchback, Corolla Cross, Corolla Hybrid, RAV4, CH-R, Camry, Camry Hybrid Tacoma, and the world-renowned Toyota Prius. There’s a decent spread of sedans, SUVs, hybrids, and a truck, so if you’re on a budget, you still have a range of high-quality vehicles you can buy. With this in mind, recognizing your budget is the first step you must make once you’re interested in shopping for a vehicle. The pre-owned market takes the incredible pricing seen on the new market and builds upon it with Toyota vehicles that could be done or nearly done with the worst of its value depreciation.

Models For Commuting

Once you’ve recognized your budget, the fun can begin. Finding the vehicle that fits your wants and needs makes vehicle shopping intriguing. With Toyota, you have a wide selection that doesn’t unnecessarily complicate things. One of the best Toyota vehicles you can get for commuting is the Toyota Camry — gasoline or hybrid. The Camry is one of the most cost-effective vehicles in Toyota’s lineup, and if you’re shopping in the pre-owned market, you’ll find no shortage of Camry. Driving to your job and back home every day isn’t as expensive in a Camry as some competitors, and the average Sunday driver will also find plenty to enjoy.

In a 2021 Camry, a 2.5L I-4 or 3.5L V6 engine can be installed, both paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. The standard 2.5L I-4 engine creates between 202 and 206 hp and between 182 and 186 lb-ft of torque. Although this powertrain configuration provides ample power for the average commuter, the fuel efficiency this I-4 engine provides makes it the best possible tool for any commuter on a budget: 28 MPG city and 39 highway. However, if you’re looking for more grunt in exchange for some fuel efficiency, the 3.5L V6 engine ups the ante with 301 hp and 267 lb-ft of torque. The 3.5L V6 engine has EPA-estimated ratings of 22 MPG city and 33 highway.

The 2.5L I-4 engine seen in the Camry is the engine of choice for the 2021 Camry hybrid, but it pairs with a battery and motor, with the final output being a net 208 hp, 163 lb-ft of torque. Commuters who enjoy the prospect of the Camry should consider the Camry hybrid because you’ll get stunning EPA-estimated ratings of 51 MPG city and 53 highway. The Camry hybrid isn’t the only hybrid aspiring Toyota shoppers should consider the Prius — one of Toyota’s most recognizable namesakes. The 2021 model has a 1.8L I-4 engine paired with motors and a battery to create 121 hp and 120 lb-ft of torque, and you get even better EPA-estimated ratings than the Camry Hybrid, with 58 MPG city and 53 highway.

Cargo Space? You got it

What if you wanted something larger than a sedan, whether to seat more people or hold more cargo? Fortunately, you have a few options, but none better than an SUV. Toyota produces a range of SUVs, from more cost-effective models like the C-HR and RAV4 to pricier and larger models like the Highlander and 4Runner. It’s important to have cargo space no matter who you are, but if you’re the type of driver who will regularly have one or more passengers in your vehicle, you’ll want an SUV of some form. SUVs come in different shapes and sizes, from the subcompact, compact, and mid-size variants, to the three-row and full-size behemoths you see on the road. Toyota has some notable examples of each.

One of the most noteworthy compact SUVs Toyota produces is the RAV4 – a budget-friendly SUV with ample power, excellent cargo space, and a budget-friendly price tag both on the new and pre-owned markets. The RAV4 has been on the market since the early 1990s and has been a consistent fan favorite for nearly thirty years. You can find many RAV4 models on the pre-owned market, including at our dealership, Future Toyota. More recent RAV4 models on the market include the 2021 model, which offers up to 69.8 cu.ft. of space when the back row seats are folded down. Of course, folding down the back seats means you won’t have any travelers back there, but it helps when transporting cargo long and wide. Keeping the seats upright when you’re traveling with a party of up to five people will retain a spacious 37.6 cu.ft. of cargo room, so you won’t even be losing half of that while more than doubling your passenger capacity.

What if you truly needed a spacious vehicle and were willing to spend extra? For this, we direct you to the Sequoia, one of Toyota’s most lauded full-size SUVs, and with three rows of seating, you’ll have plenty of choices regarding passenger capacity or cargo space. The Sequoia can seat up to eight passengers, which means the Sequoia is large both inside and out. Take a closer look at the 2021 Sequoia as an example – a behemoth running on a 5.7L V8 engine. Aside from an impressive 381 hp and 401 lb-ft of torque lending to a maximum towing capacity of 7,400 lbs, the Sequoia is especially impressive when discussing its sheer amount of available cargo space.

The Sequoia has three different levels of cargo space depending on if you keep all three rows of seating upright, remove the furthest row, or the middle too. Again utilizing the 2021 Sequoia, which has been appearing more often in the pre-owned market, the Sequoia gives 18.9 cu.ft. of space when all eight passengers are aboard. That may not sound like much, but it helps give every passenger a comfortable experience thanks to ample legroom. However, folding down the furthest back row of seating will reveal 66.6 cu.ft. – a 252% increase. Does that sound impressive, or what? Just wait. Should you fold down the furthest back row and the middle one, the Sequoia gives you 120.1 cu.ft. to work with. Not only is 120.1 cu.ft. a stark 80% increase over the 66.6 cu.ft., but it’s an incredible 535% more space than if you had all eight seats occupied.

Getting on the Right Track

There’s a sense of magic behind Toyota vehicles. No matter what you do in life – a 9-5 commuter, the busy family driver, the occasional Uber driver, or someone who enjoys having fun on the road – there’s something to enjoy for everyone. Between the sedans, SUVs, trucks, and more you’ll find in Toyota’s lineup, you’ll also find them here on our lot at Future Toyota. We’re here to help you get behind the wheel of one of these fantastic Toyota vehicles, so come on down to chat with us, and we’ll give you some advice on where you should get started. However, since you’ve already decided on Future Toyota, you’re already one step toward greatness.