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Toyota Test Drive Experience
When purchasing a new or used Toyota, the test drive is an important step in the decision-making process. Below is a guide with practical tips to help ensure a smooth and effective test drive.
Before your test drive
Consider what matters most, like safety, efficiency, comfort, or extra room. Picture your typical drives and any features that might come in handy.
Book your free Toyota test drive
Call your local store or book a test online. Either way, your Toyota test drive is free of charge, and if you don’t have a particular car in mind, you’re welcome to just drop by and have a chat with a Vehicle Consultant.
Come prepared
To test drive a car with Toyota, you need to hold a valid Full or Restricted driver licence. Bring your licence with you to the Toyota store. Make sure you also write down any questions you have about the car, and bring those along too. Not sure what to ask? Check out the FAQs at the bottom of this page for suggestions.
During your test drive
Before you start driving, make sure you’re comfortable. Picture yourself on your usual routes – errands, commutes, or weekend getaways – and see if the car’s features would be a good fit.
Take a drive with your Vehicle Consultant
We recommend taking your Toyota Vehicle Consultant for a spin around the block before you go for a longer test drive, as they’ll be able to point out any new or important features while you drive.
Do some everyday driving
Follow the suggested route from the store or choose your own path to experience the vehicle in everyday driving situations, such as through city streets, residential areas, highways, and off-road tracks.
Consider another test drive
You’re welcome to take your Toyota out for another drive to make sure it’s right for you. Sometimes, you might even have the option for a weekend or overnight test drive, but it's best to confirm with the store.
After your test drive
Now that the test drive is complete, take a moment to sort through your notes and impressions from the drive. Reflect on whether it felt comfortable, performed smoothly, and offered the right features for your usual trips. This can help you feel more confident about your decision and ready to take the next steps on your car-buying journey.
Sort out finance and insurance
We can help you get car finance and insurance – just talk to your Vehicle Consultant, or check out our website for information about New or Used Car Financing and Toyota Vehicle Insurance.
Shop around
Interested in more than one Toyota, or not quite sure you’ve found the right model? Talk to your Vehicle Consultant who will be happy to help you find the right vehicle that fits your lifestyle and budget.
Don’t wait too long to decide
When you’re ready to buy the car, let your Vehicle Consultant know. For used cars, it is important to move fast as stocks can be sold at any time unless you’ve put a deposit down.
Before the test drive
Research the models you’re interested in and book a test drive online or call your local Toyota store to book your test drive.
Bring your Full or Restricted driver license, a way to take notes, and a family member or a friend if you'd like someone there to experience the car with you.
If you use a child seat, bring it with you so you can try it out in the car.
During the test drive
You’ll be able to drive your chosen Toyota out of the store and around the surrounding streets. You can choose to do the test drive alone or with someone else – like a Toyota Vehicle Consultant from the store, a friend, or a family member.
Test drives usually last between 15 to 30 minutes, giving you enough time to get a good feel for the car’s handling, comfort, and features. If you'd like a bit more time to try out specific conditions, like highway driving or different terrains, just let your Vehicle Consultant know and they’ll be able to give guidance on this.
During a test drive, you'll usually cover enough distance to really get to know the car, often within a route you’ve mapped out with the Vehicle Consultant. This might be a few kilometres or a much longer stretch, depending on where you’re driving.
If you’d like to test drive more than one car, just chat with the Vehicle Consultant at your local store. There’s no fixed limit on the number of cars you can test drive, but it’s best to focus on the cars you’re really interested in and might like to buy.
Come prepared with questions and a way to take notes. Inspect the car carefully, before and during your drive. Drive the car in different conditions and a variety of road settings (like highways and roundabouts), if you can. And don’t hesitate to ask questions – your Vehicle Consultant will be happy to answer them.
Focus on the overall driving experience, including visibility, handling, acceleration, braking, and comfort.
Make sure to test the car’s features, like infotainment and safety systems. For example, you could try pairing your phone with the car’s audio system to play music.
After the test drive
The Vehicle Consultants at the Toyota store where you have your test drive will be happy to help you with any questions or concerns. You can also reach out to them via phone or email if you have additional questions after leaving the store.
