DON'T BUY A TOYOTA in 2025 (Until you see this VIDEO) Kevin Hunter The Homework Guy

Don't buy a Toyota until you've seen this video. Hey everyone, I'm Kevin Hunter, the HomeWorkGuy, and welcome back to the channel. Today we're doing something a little bit different. We're talking about why you shouldn't rush into buying a Toyota until after you've seen this video. And when you've seen it, you'll know it's time well spent. Yes, you heard me right. Whether it's a brand new 2025 or 2026 model or a used Toyota, we're going to walk you through every major Toyota model, show you the expected out-the-door OTD pricing, highlight the regions in the U.S. where you'll typically get your best deals, and give you some insider tips from our team of specialist negotiators who live and breathe Toyota deals. And I'm proud to introduce Amazing Elizabeth. She's our master negotiator who spends a lot of time on Toyota deals specifically. Liz, good to have you here. Thanks, Kevin. It's great to be here on the show. For those of you who are watching, when you hire us for our car buying service, you don't just get a seasoned negotiator, you get someone who knows Toyota and their dealers inside and out. You also get me working for you behind the scenes. That's an important advantage for you because Toyota dealers can be some of the toughest dealers to negotiate in the country. That said, we negotiate Toyota deals new and used all over the country every single day. As I said, that's a huge advantage for you. So buckle up. We're going to walk you step-by-step through each model so you can see what you should aim for, where to buy, and when you might actually skip used and go new because the price difference is actually so small. So let's get started with the We'll cover each model in the U.S. lineup based on our list of vehicles and their editions, estimate typical OTD pricing, and highlight the likely cheapest region for that model. We'll also include a quick tip from our coaching staff. At number one, the Toyota Corolla, a sedan, Toyota's compact staple. For the 2025 model year, the base MSRP is around $23,460 nationally. That pricing is available on Truecar and Toyota. Estimated OTD pricing for a 2025 model in the Midwest, example Kansas and Missouri, $25,000 to $26,000 OTD. In the Southeast, Georgia and Alabama, $24,000 to $25,000 OTDs. West Coast, California, $26,000 to $27,000 OTDs. In the cheapest region, usually the Southeast or parts of the Midwest, where dealer incentives and competition tend to be the strongest. Even in one of the cheapest regions, the difference between the best deal and a just okay deal is only a couple of hundred dollars. Before you buy, ask for a full OTD breakdown, that's the tax, title, and DOT fee, and compare to national transaction data. If it's more than $27,000, walk. A slight use 2023 to 2024 Corolla might come in around $20,000 OTD in similar regions. Given the new price is $24,000 and Toyota holds its value quite well, our advice would be if you can get a new one within $1,000 of that used mark because of dealer incentives, well just buy new. You'll get full warranty, latest tech, and depreciation will be a lower percentage. Then there's the Toyota Corolla Cross, that's the compact crossover. It's becoming more popular. It gives you the crossover body style with Toyota reliability. The real market builds show OTD prices for an LE all-wheel drive version at around $29,000 in some states. For these new 25 and 26s out the door in the southeast, you can expect $29,000 to $30,000. In the midwest, $30,000 to $31,000. In the west and the northwest, it's between $31,000 and $32,000. So the cheapest region is in the southeast. Here's a tip, because crossovers are hot, do not assume the invoice pricing will be the same as a sedan. Our coach says demand is high, so negotiate the OTD, not just MSRP. Focus on the total cost and insist on seeing the dealer discount or incentive line items. Under the used car angle, if you see a 23 Corolla Cross used for $28,000 to $29,000 out the door, and there's a new one at $29,000 with incentives, go new. The gap is too small to give up the warranty and the latest features. At number three, the Toyota Prius. The Prius is still around in 2025 for the US, though Toyota is shifting focus to hybrids and EVs. The base MSRP isn't widely publicized recently, but expect around $29,000 for base going up for higher trims. Some estimated OTDs in the southeast, $30,000 to $31,000. In the midwest, $31,000 to $32,000. In the west, $32,000. Cheapest region again, the southeast. One of the biggest mistakes buyers make with hybrids is neglecting how state incentives and local taxes apply. In some states, you'll get a better deal because of a state rebate or state sales tax cut. A used car angle here, a $21,000 to $22,000. Prius used might be $23,000 to $25,000. If new is $30,000, that's a healthy gap, so used might make sense here, but if you find new for $29,000, go new for full warranty and the newest battery technology. Up next, we're moving up to the midsize sedan, the 2025 Toyota Camry. Starts around $27,000 for base and goes up to $35,000 for the premium trim levels. For estimated OTDs in the southeast, $29,000 to $30,000. In the midwest, $30,000 to $31,000. On the west coast, $32,000 to $33,000. Again, the cheapest region is in the southeast or the gulf states. Here's a tip, if you're trading in, make sure your negotiator pushes for trade-ins separately. Don't let them bundle your trade and new purchase into one confusing deal. Toyota dealers will try to hide margin on the new car by giving less on your trade. For the used car angle, a used 2022 to 2023 Camry might run from $24,000 to $26,000. If new is $29,000 to $30,000 out the door. The gap is $4,000 to $5,000, which is enough because if your budget is restrained, that makes sense to go used. If you can get a new one for under $29,000, then you should go new. Sitting at number five, the Toyota Crown. The Crown is a revived model for Toyota in the U.S. It sits between sedan and crossover. MSRP is around $40,000 and up, depending on trim. Estimated OTDs in the southeast, $42,000 to $43,000. In the Midwest, $43,000 to $44,500. In the west, $45,000 plus. The cheapest region, southeast Sunbelt. Because this is newer in the U.S. market, dealer supply may be tighter. Our coaches suggest expanding your search radius. Used car angle, since it is new to the market, used supply will be limited unless you find a lightly used 23 model with low miles for $38,000 to $40,000. The value proposition on this vehicle for new is very strong. Next up is the Toyota Avalon. The Avalon is Toyota's full size sedan, though fewer buyers get this these days. The 25 model MSRP starts around $38,000 and up. For estimated out the doors, in the southeast, you're seeing $40,000 to $41,000. In the Midwest, $41,000 to $42,000. And out west, $43,000 or more. The cheapest region is the Here's a tip. Full size sedans are now niche, so inventory may sit longer, meaning better deals. Use that to your advantage. If you're looking at used, you might find a 21 to 22 Avalon used for $30,000 to $32,000. If new is $40,000, used might be appealing. But if the dealer offers new for under $38,000 out the door, that gap is small enough that the new one wins. At number seven, Toyota Yaris. The Yaris is Toyota's subcompact, depending on the region. Though note Toyota has shifted models, availability may vary. For 2025-26 in US, starting MSRP, $20,000 to $22,000. Estimated out the doors, in the southeast, $22,000 to $23,000. Midwest, $23,000 to $24,000. And in the west, $25,000 plus. The cheapest region, southeast again. Be aware that smaller models sell quickly, and dealers may mark up less because the margin is thin. But watch out for those dock fees. They can easily take $300 to $500 of your savings away. The used car angle, used Yaris 20 to 22 might go $15,000 to $17,000 out the door. If new is $22,000, used gap is $5,000 to $7,000. So used makes sense, unless you want a pristine new conditioned vehicle. Now on to one of everyone's favorites, the Toyota RAV4. The RAV4 remains one of Toyota's strongest sellers. In the crossover compact segment, the 2025 MSRP starts around $30,000 and up depending on trim, with hybrid variants coming in higher. The estimated OTDs for the gas model, in the southeast, from $32,000 to $33,000. Midwest, $33,000 to $34,000. And then west and northwest, $34,000 to $35,000. So the cheapest region, again, the southeast or in the sunbelt. Here's our tip. Because inventory is tight for popular models like the RAV4, your negotiator must check early and ask for the dealer invoice plus minimal markup and demand full transparency on incentives. For a used one, a 22 to 23 RAV4 might be $28,000 to $30,000. If new is $32,000 to $33,000, the gap is $4,000 to $5,000. So the used is reasonable here. But if your dealer can get a new one down to $31,000 out the door, I'd go new. At number nine, the Toyota Highlander. The growing to mid $40K for trims and hybrids. Estimated OTD in the southeast, $40,000 to $41,000. In the Midwest, $41,000 to $42,500. And in the west, $43,000 plus. The cheapest region, southeastern USA. Three-row SUVs now have lots of competition. Use this to your advantage. Leverage competing models and ask your negotiator to bring retail data of similar vehicles to drive down the margin. A used car angle here on 21s to 22s. The Highlander used might go between $32,000 and $35,000. New at $40,000 means a nice gap. So used is viable unless you find new for $39,000 out the door. And then in that case, go new. At number 10, the Toyota 4Runner. The 4Runner is Toyota's rugged midsize SUV with the body on-frame construction. For 2025, the MSRP is from $42,000 to $44,000 for the base SR5 and higher for the off-road trims. Some estimated OTDs in the southeast, $44,000 to $45,000. In the Midwest, $45,000 to $46,000. And in the west, especially in California, $47,000 and often more. The cheapest region is in the southeast Gulf States. Here's our tip. Because the 4Runner appeals to a niche, some regions have slower inventory turnover that can translate into dealer flexibility. Ask your coach to check local units with 60 plus days in stock. If you're looking possibly used, a 2019 to 2021 4Runner might go for $35,000 to $38,000 still. If new is $44,000, that makes a gap between $6,000 and $7,000. So used looks good here. But if you find a new one for $43,000 out the door, new may win due to longevity and the good old Toyota reliability. At number 11, Toyota Land Cruiser. The Land Cruiser has a storied history and although the U.S. version has been limited recently, assume MSRP is in the $85,000 plus range for new or reintroduced models. Estimated OTDs in the southeast, $88,000 to $90,000. In the Midwest, $90,000 to $92,000. And in the west coast, $95,000 plus. Cheapest region, typically Texas and the Gulf region. For luxury and over $80,000 vehicles, always ask for out the door inclusive of taxes and fees. Region matters a huge amount here. Lower state sales tax plus fewer dealer markups, thousands of dollars can be saved. Used car angle, if you find a lightly used Land Cruiser from prior generation at $75,000, that's a big discount. But given their resale and prestige, if you can buy new for $88,000 OTD, new likely wins here. Then there's a Toyota Sequoia. The Sequoia is Toyota's full-size three-row SUV that's a body on frame. For 2025, the pricing starts in the $60,000 range for base up to $80,000 plus for premium trims. In the southeast, the OTDs start from $62,000 to $64,000. In the Midwest, $64,000 to $66,000. And in the west, $67,000 and more. The cheapest region is the south or in the Texas area. Full-size SUVs often sit longer when supply and demand is slower. Your coach should check inventory aging. If a unit has been on the lot 90 plus days, momentum is on your side. If you're looking used, a 2022 Sequoia might be $52,000 to $55,000. If new is $62,000, the gap is $7,000 to $8,000. That means the used one is looking very good. If new is offered at $60,000 or even a little bit less with incentives, new could be the smart route. Now we're down to the Toyota Sienna. The Sienna is Toyota's minivan, though marketed as a van SUV crossover. For 2025, MSRP begins around $37,000 for base and goes up $50,000 plus for hybrid premium trims. Estimated OTDs in the southeast, $38,000 to $40,000. In the Midwest, $40,000 to $41,500. And in the west, $42,000 plus. Cheapest region, the southeast. Minivans often have extra incentives, but less marketing hype. Use that. Ask your negotiator what current factory cash or dealer stock moves are there for a Sienna this month. A used car angle here, a 2019 to 2021 Sienna used might be $28,000 to $32,000. If new is $38,000, used is appealing here. But again, if new is under $37,000 out the door with incentives, go new in that case. For the Toyota Tacoma, the Tacoma is Toyota's midsize pickup. Extremely popular and often subject to markups. The 2025 MSRP for the base SR is around $33,000 to $35,000, depending on the specs. In the southeast, the out the door would be $36,000 to $37,000. In the Midwest, $37,000 to $38,000. And in California out west, $40,000 plus due to demand and markups. The cheapest region is the southeast or the Gulf states, though demand is high everywhere. Because the Tacomas hold their value so strongly, your negotiator has to dig. Check for add-ons, dealer preps, and ensure you're not paying any market adjustments. Insist on out the door price transparency. For a used one, a 2021 or 2022 Tacoma might be $30,000 to $32,000. If a new is $36,000, the gap is only $4,000 to $6,000. Used makes sense if your budget is tight. But if your new deal is $35,000 or less out the door, new is compelling because of the warranty. Sitting at number 15, Toyota Tundra. The Tundra is Toyota's full-size pickup. For 2025, base SR gas starts around $40,090 MSRP. Kelley Blue Book shows starting around $42,035 for some configurations. Some estimated OTD prices. Southeast, $43,000 to $44,000 for base SR. In the Midwest, $44,000 to $45,000. And in the west, in California, $46,000 plus and higher for premium trims. The cheapest region, again, Texas southeast tends to give the best out the door for trucks. A tip here from our coaches, full-size trucks have huge optional equipment variants. Your coach will ask, what bed length, drivetrain, and options? A base SR is one thing, a loaded TRD Pro is entirely different. Negotiate out the door for the exact build you want. A used car angle here, you might find a lightly used 2023 Tundra for $35,000 to $38,000 for base, but given new is $43,000 to $44,000 out the door, if you can get the new deal around $42,000, you might just go new because of the warranty and the time, especially since depreciation might be lower for the first few years with a new truck. For the Toyota Yaris Cross, for new, the out the doors are about the $25,000 range in the best region and used might be $20,000. If the gap is small, I'd go for the new one. At number 17, the Toyota BZ-4X EV. This is Toyota's entry into the battery electric in the U.S. market. The MSRP is around $42,000 to $45,000 base depending upon battery and drive type. Estimated OTDs in the Southeast $44,000 to $45,000, in the Midwest $45,000 to $46,000, in the West Northwest $47,000 plus. The cheapest region, again southern states with fewer EV tax burdens, may net a better deal. EVs have unique incentives, federal tax credits if eligible, state incentives, utility rebates. Your negotiator might check whether the vehicle qualifies for any regional tax credit or rebate because that can shift effective out the door prices significantly. Used car angle, because the BZ-4X is very new, used supply is limited. If you see one used for around $43,000 and new is $44,000 with incentives, definitely lean new there. So there you have it all, all the major new Toyota models, what you should aim to pay out the door in different regions and the cheapest regions to target. Most of the time you'll save best by shopping in the Southeast, the Gulf States and parts of the Midwest, rather than paying sticker plus markups on the West Coast. Before we move into used cars, here's a big reminder. When you hire our car buying service, you get a negotiator plus a Toyota expert who knows that brand and how its dealership networks work, especially what incentives are available, which dealers are more flexible, regional supply and oversupply patterns, and how to structure the deal so you can win. When it comes to Toyota, don't accept a good deal, demand a great one. Now moving on to used cars, many of these models hold value very well, which changes the calculus of whether you would buy used or new. For each model, we'll give you a brief used car commentary and highlight cases where the price difference is so small, you should consider going new instead. The Toyota Corolla used $21,000 to $23,000. Corolla might be $18,000 to $22,000, varies by region and mileage. Given new is $24,000 out the door, the gap is maybe $3,000 to $6,000. If you can go new within that gap, and if you want warranty plus the newest tech available, we'd recommend going new. If you find used for around $18,000 with low miles in your region, used is certainly fine. And then there's the Corolla Cross used $22,000 to $23,000, might fetch $24,000 to $28,000 in many markets. If new is $29,000 out the door, the gap is $1,000 to $5,000. It's small, so we lean new in this category. And then of course, there's the Prius used $20,000 to $22,000. Prius might be $20,000 to $25,000 with new at $30,000. For a used 2021 to 2023 Camry, $24,000 to $30,000 is the range. You can get a new one from $29,000 to $30,000 out the door, which means the gap is $3,000 to $6,000. Again, that's small enough that if you find a new deal under $29,000, totally go new. For the Toyota Crown, used supply is very limited. If you find one for $38,000 to $40,000, and new is $42,000 to $43,000 out the door, the gap is quite small. Lean new so you get the latest features. For the Toyota Avalon, used 2020 to 2022, the Avalon runs between $30,000 and $32,000 out the door. The new ones are at $40,000 plus, so that makes the gap $8,000 to $10,000. So definitely go used in this case. And then on to the Yaris or Yaris Cross, used is $15,000 to $17,000, new is $22,000. Gap is bigger, so used is reasonable if you are on a budget. The RAV4, used 21 to 23 RAV4s, run $28,000 to $30,000. New, $32,000 to $33,000. The OTD gap, $4,000 to $5,000 is small. If you see a new under $31,000 out the door, definitely go new. For the Toyota Highlander, from the years 21 to 22, they might run from $32,000 to $35,000. With the new ones at $40,000 plus out the door, that's a big gap. That's $5,000 to $8,000, so the used here is a good idea. If you're looking at a used 4Runner, from 2019 to 2021, the 4Runners are $35,000 to $38,000. The new ones are all the way up at $44,000 plus. That gap of $6,000 to $9,000 makes sense to go used. For the Toyota Land Cruiser, a used older Land Cruiser holds their value very strongly. The gap may be $10,000 to $20,000 depending on age. But for new, if you can get it under $88,000 out the door, the prestige might justify it. Moving on to the Sequoia, used 2022 Sequoia, $52,000 to $55,000. New is $62,000, making that OTD gap between $7,000 and $10,000. Used has good value here. Then the Sienna, used 2019 to 2021 Sienna, $28,000 to $32,000. New is $38,000. Out the door gap is between $6,000 and $10,000. Used is viable here. The Sienna is one of the toughest vehicles to negotiate on in the entire Toyota lineup. If you can't find the deal you're looking for here, consider comparing the Honda Odyssey. Moving on to the Tacoma, used 2021 to 2022, is $30,000 to $32,000. New is $36,000. Out the door, creating a gap of $4,000 which is small. If you can lock in new under $35,000, definitely go new. And then the Tundra, used 2022 to 2024, Tundra might be $35,000 to $38,000 for base. New, $43,000 to $44,000. OTD gap is that $5,000 to $8,000. Since full-size trucks often depreciate slower and warranty matters, if you get new for $42,000, out the door, go new. For the EV, the BZ4X, used supply will be very minimal. But if you see one for $43,000 used and new is $44,000, out the door, definitely go new, especially with the battery involved. When a Toyota model holds value very strongly, the difference between new and used narrows quickly. Always compare how much of the warranty term is remaining, the maintenance history, and whether you're taking on an older tech or a battery with age for the EVs and hybrids. If the used discount is under $3,000 and you're sacrificing warranty, go for new. So let's wrap it up. Always negotiate the out the door price, not just MSRP or monthly payments. Target the most competitive region in the US for each model. That's typically the Southeast, the Gulf States, like Texas, and parts of the Midwest. For each Toyota model, compare new versus used. If the gap is narrow, which could be as little as $1,000 to $5,000, and the new comes with full warranty and current tech, go new. If the gap is larger, used can make sense for you. When you work with us, you're getting more than a negotiator, you're getting a Toyota specialist. Working nationwide with lots of dealers, using our volume, relationships, and inside knowledge to get you the best car deal. And finally, remember, just because Toyota has a stellar reputation doesn't mean you should just accept the first deal that you're offered. This video has given you the price targets, the regional advantage, and the used new decision logic to approach the purchase with power and information. We strongly recommend using our car buying service if you want to skip the hassle and let the experts handle it. If you found this video helpful, give us a thumbs up, share it with your friends, and drop a comment below. We love hearing your car buying success stories, because they inspire and protect the Homework Guy community. To all of you long-term viewers and subscribers out there, you guys rock. God bless you all. I'm Kevin Hunter, the Homework Guy, signing off on behalf of Alex Stevens, our auto expert, the amazing Elizabeth, our master negotiator, and the entire hassle-free Homework Guy car buying team. Stick around a moment as we scroll through some of our recent 5-star Google reviews. Thank you for watching.