Toyota has rightfully earned its reputation as the gold standard for reliability. Ask almost anyone which brand they’d trust to rack up 200,000 miles without a fuss and the answer is usually the same. But here’s the thing most people don’t say out loud: not every Toyota is created equal. Some models have genuine weak spots, and buying the wrong one, whether new or used, can hurt just as much as buying a bad car from any other brand. The Car Care Nut, a mechanic who works on these vehicles daily, has put together his picks for the best and worst Toyotas on the market (both new and used) right now, and his advice carries the kind of weight that comes from seeing and working on these cars for years.
The Best New Toyotas Worth Buying Today
At the top of his list sits the Toyota Crown Signia, which he calls one of the best Toyotas being made right now. The Corolla Hybrid follows close behind, a car he describes as one of the best hybrids period, not just in the Toyota lineup. The Crown itself, despite its polarizing looks, makes the cut too. The Sienna Hybrid rounds things out nicely as a rock-solid family hauler. He’s also bullish on the Grand Highlander, saying it was so good it effectively killed off the regular Highlander. The Toyota Prius also gets a surprising amount of praise. Fifth-generation hybrid system, sharp looks, great to drive. High praise for a car, that in previous generations, spent years being the butt of every motoring joke.
The Best Used Toyotas To Hunt Down
For used buyers, the Corolla Hybrid stands out as a near no-brainer, provided it has a reasonable service history. The Sienna Hybrid from 2021 onwards is equally solid, though he recommends avoiding 2017 and 2018 models due to transmission issues. The Highlander Hybrid from 2023 to 2026 is another strong pick, especially if you want to sidestep the turbocharged four-cylinder. Two hidden gems he’s particularly enthusiastic about are the Venza Hybrid, which he says offers near-Lexus comfort for Toyota money, and the Avalon V6 from 2013 onwards, a car that’s often priced lower than a comparable Camry for no good reason. One caveat on the Avalon: skip the hybrid versions from 2013 to 2018, as he’s seeing an alarming number of hybrid battery failures on those.
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Brandon Turkus
The Toyotas To Walk Away From
This expert’s single biggest warning goes to any Toyota truck with frame rust, especially fourth-generation 4Runners and GX470s. He describes turning away cars so badly corroded that he couldn’t safely lift them. One customer bought four of them back to back, each one worse than the last. His point is simple: a rusty frame doesn’t just need welding, and every job has a habit of becoming ten. He also flags neglected second-generation Tundras for notoriously fragile wiring harnesses.
Over and above these recommendations, there’s one universal rule for every Toyota on the market. Don’t buy a modified one. You inherit every shortcut the previous owner took, and those shortcuts have a way of showing up at the worst time. Toyota makes some of the most dependable vehicles on the road, but a few bad examples exist in every lineup. Knowing which ones to avoid is half the battle.
About the author
Simran Rastogi
Senior Editor