Car Buyer Labs

Car Buying Advice, Tips, and Reviews

A red 2021 Toyota GR Supra is shown from the rear while rounding a corner after leaving a Toyota Dealership.

Which Toyota Is Right for You?

When you first start shopping for your next car, the massive number of options available to you can feel pretty overwhelming. I’ve found that what helps is narrowing down your options with big-picture decisions to let you focus on just a couple of models that fit the right category for what you’re looking for and then going from there with deeper research. Even if you know you want a new car, truck, or SUV from your local Toyota dealership, narrowing down your choices within the Toyota lineup can still be a lot of work.

Don’t fret, however, as today I’m going to help you with this by quickly taking you through the 2022 Toyota lineup to see what’s on offer. This won’t be a deep-dive on any of these models, however, because for now, we just want to see what the lineup includes and get a sense of what’s on offer. You’ll be able to easily eliminate most models that don’t meet your needs and then focus on a few that seem like they’re good options.

Toyota Cars

Corolla

First up, we have the popular Toyota Corolla, a compact sedan that’s been a favorite for a lot of drivers for many years now. If you’re looking for something with fantastic fuel economy, then the Corolla is a great choice, thanks to its small design. You can take its efficiency even further with the available Corolla Hybrid with a hybrid engine that delivers impressive performance and an estimated 52 MPG combined fuel economy. There’s also a Corolla Hatchback model available if you want something with a bit more functional space for cargo.

Prius

If a hybrid option sounds good to you and you’re looking for something a bit different from the rest of Toyota’s lineup, then consider the Prius. The Toyota Prius has been the leading name in hybrid models for a generation, and it’s shown no signs of slowing down. This is a compact model, so it won’t take up much space in your life; plus, there are two different hybrid options for it. The standard Prius is a hybrid that can get an estimated 56 MPG combined fuel economy, while the Prius Prime is a Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) with an estimated 133 MPGe total fuel efficiency and up to 25 miles of electric-only range from a full charge.

Camry

For something a bit larger, the Toyota Camry is a midsize sedan that is the perfect option if you have a growing family or several friends who are regular passengers and you need plenty of space for them. The standard Camry has a couple of different engines available, including a 301-hp V6 that’s incredibly fun to drive. There’s also a Camry Hybrid model available if you want midsize functionality with an engine that gets an estimated 52 MPG in combined fuel economy.

Mirai

If you are looking for something quite a bit different from what you’ll find with most other companies, the Toyota Mirai is a midsize sedan that uses a hydrogen fuel cell for the powertrain. Not only is this a hydrogen-powered Electric Vehicle (EV), but it features rear-wheel drive for sporty performance and a fun driving experience. You can get about 67 MPGe combined hydrogen-fuel efficiency with the Mirai, which can go about 400 miles from a full tank – just keep in mind that the Mirai is only offered in California.

Avalon

The Toyota Avalon is a terrific option if you want a midsize sedan with a bit more space for cargo than you get from the Camry. This has been a popular option for many years now, and one test drive is all it takes to see why, thanks in part to its standard 3.5L V6 with 301 hp for you to enjoy. There’s also an Avalon Hybrid model available if you want something with an estimated 44 MPG of combined fuel economy for getting around town.

A white 2022 Toyota GR86 is shown from the side while parked on a mountain overlook.

GR86

Toyota offers two impressive sports cars, starting with the GR86, which features a 2.4L Boxer-4 engine that delivers 228 hp. This model is particularly notable for the fact that you can actually get it with a manual transmission, something that’s become exceedingly rare these days, even among sports cars. Every GR86 comes with rear-wheel drive, and it’s incredibly fun to drive while also being surprisingly budget-friendly.

Supra

If you want something with even more power under the hood, then check out Toyota’s other sports car: the turbocharged Supra. There are two engines available on the Supra (both are Turbos): a 2.0L I-4 engine that gives you 255 hp and a 3.0L I-6 with 382 hp for thrilling and heart-racing performance. With the more powerful engine, the Supra can go from 0 to 60 in just 3.9 seconds and is incredibly fun to drive.

Toyota SUVs

C-HR

For a small model that can fit into the most modest lifestyle, the Toyota C-HR is a subcompact crossover SUV that is a great choice. There’s no denying that this is definitely a small option, but it still has a lot to offer with a well-tuned 2.0L engine that makes it quite fun to drive. Plus, you can choose between front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. With an estimated 29 MPG of combined fuel economy, this is a great choice for getting around town and parking in tight spots.

Corolla Cross

If you want something a bit larger, but not by too much, then take a look at the Corolla Cross, which is completely new for the 2022 model year. This is also a subcompact crossover model, but it’s bigger than the C-HR without being as large as the RAV4 down below. It has a similar engine to the one in the C-HR, though it’s a bit more powerful and gets 32 MPG of estimated combined fuel economy while still giving you more than 66 cu.ft. of total cargo space inside.

RAV4

The RAV4 is one of the most popular crossover models in America, and it’s not hard to see why, especially when you consider all of the options available for it. This is a compact model that gives you functional space in a small size that won’t take over your life. The standard engine gets an estimated 30 MPG of combined fuel economy – plus two hybrid models are available. With the RAV4 Hybrid, you can get up to 40 MPG of estimated combined fuel efficiency, while the RAV4 Prime is a PHEV with 38 MPG combined estimated fuel economy and up to 42 miles of electric-only driving from a full charge.

Venza

If you’re not looking to worry about numerous engine options, but you want a hybrid, then the Toyota Venza is a terrific choice. This is a compact crossover similar in size to the RAV4, and it’s offered exclusively with a hybrid engine – the same one found in the RAV4 Hybrid. This makes it easy to get great hybrid performance and excellent fuel economy without worrying about any other decisions.

4Runner

For a great off-road option that can facilitate an adventurous lifestyle, you should check out the 4Runner, which is a midsize SUV with a lot to offer. You won’t find numerous engines or hybrid options here; this is first and foremost an off-road SUV with an impressive V6 engine and available four-wheel drive that’s perfect for rough conditions. The TRD Off-Road and TRD Pro trims are especially noteworthy, with great options for the trail like an electronically locking rear differential, selectable drive modes, and more.

Highlander

The Toyota Highlander is a three-row SUV, so it has more seating available than any of the previous options we’ve looked at. This is a fantastic choice if you have a large family or a big group of friends that you often need to be able to cart around with you. You get more than 84 cu.ft. of total cargo volume inside the Highlander, so you can load it up with plenty of gear too. While the fuel economy takes a bit of a hit due to its large size, there’s a Highlander Hybrid model available with an estimated 36 MPG of combined fuel efficiency.

Sequoia

For something even bigger than the Highlander, the Sequoia is Toyota’s largest full-size SUV model, with a tremendous amount of space inside. The powerful V8 engine in the Sequoia makes it quite enjoyable to drive and gives you plenty of power for long road trips or just getting around town. This is a great choice if you tend to have a lot of adults with you as passengers since all three rows of seats get plenty of leg room; plus, it has 120 cu.ft. of total cargo space inside for you to take advantage of.

Toyota Trucks

Tacoma

Toyota offers two pickups starting with the midsize Tacoma, which is a terrific option if you want truck functionality without getting anything too big. The Tacoma has two engines available, including a V6 with an available manual transmission, plus you get up to 6,800 lbs of towing capacity. With a low starting price and a sophisticated design, this is a great choice if you want a midsize truck to enjoy for work, play, and everything in between.

A grey 2022 Toyota Tundra is shown from the rear while kicking up dust off-road.

Tundra

Finally, the Tundra is Toyota’s full-size truck, and it delivers impressive power and performance. There are two versions of a 3.5L V6 engine: the standard delivers up to 389 hp and 479 lb-ft of torque, while the available hybrid version boosts that to 437 hp and 583 lb-ft of torque. When properly equipped, the Tundra can haul up to 12,000 lbs of weight behind it and gives you plenty of power to get your job done. If you want a full-size pickup that’s reliable and perfect for hauling a trailer full of lumber or pulling a boat on the weekend, then the Tundra is a fantastic choice.

There Is Truly a Toyota for Everyone

As you can see, the Toyota lineup is very diverse and covers pretty much everything a driver could think of. From a flashy sports car to a rugged truck and every type of versatile sedan and SUV in between, if you need a car, Toyota has a model for you. Plus, the brand is a leader in hybrid and EV options, and even the gas-only options are still efficient. There’s no doubt about it; when you want a new car, you need to check out Toyota.