Overview & Reviews

Toyota is a Japanese brand whose refined, well-designed vehicles have earned it a great deal of popularity. Toyotas also have a superb record for reliability and durability, which goes a long way toward justifying their typically high purchase prices. For buyers who plan on owning their new vehicles for a long time, the Toyota marque is a very compelling choice.

The automaker's name is a variation of the surname of its founder, Kiichiro Toyoda. After years of research, Toyoda unveiled his first prototype, the A1, in 1935, marking the birth of the Toyota Motor Corporation. The '40s witnessed the launch of additional passenger cars and even a pickup. By the end of the decade, the automaker had produced more than 100,000 vehicles.

Toyota grew bigger in the '50s and expanded its roster with a slew of new small cars. The company also unveiled the utilitarian BJ truck; this vehicle was the precursor to the Land Cruiser. By the end of the decade, Toyota had commenced exports to the U.S. with the establishment of Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A., Inc. The first Toyota to be sold on American shores was the Crown; it held the distinction of being the first Japanese car to be sold Stateside.

The '60s witnessed even more growth for the emerging juggernaut. Toyota introduced the Corolla, an immensely popular model that is still in production today. Vehicles like the home-market Publica, the 2000GT, Hiace and Miniace were also launched. The decade closed with Toyota reporting annual domestic sales of 1 million units; cumulative exports also reached 1 million.

Japanese-market cars like the Carina, Light Ace and Publica Starlet were launched during the 1970s. In the States, the Corolla grew in popularity and the Corona and Mk II models debuted as well. The successful Celica sports coupe was also rolled out and would remain in production for more than 30 years. Toyota's shadow had spread far beyond Japan by this point. The decade's oil crisis had made the manufacturer's compact, fuel-efficient models more popular than ever in the United States. By the time the '70s drew to a close, the automaker had exported more than 10 million vehicles.

Toyota expanded its presence in the U.S. market during the '80s, with the introduction of popular models like the 4Runner SUV and the MR2 sports car. The true high point of these years, though, was the birth of the Toyota Camry sedan. Originally known as the Celica Camry in Japan, the car went on to be a hit of phenomenal proportions, earning kudos as America's best-selling car of the year time and time again.

During the '90s, Toyota rolled out the Avalon full-size sedan and expanded its selection of SUVs with the compact RAV4. By the end of the decade, more than 100 million Toyota vehicles had been produced in Japan. The company also proved itself on the cutting edge of new technology with the rollout of the Prius, the world's first mass-produced hybrid. The car debuted in Japan in 1997; by 2001, the fuel-sipping sedan had made its way to American highways. Despite the presence of a growing number of competitors in its segment, the Prius continues to boast class-leading sales.

Toyota's current lineup is relatively extensive, including minivans, cars, trucks and SUVs. The brand remains extremely popular among savvy consumers who place a high value on quality and dependability.

User Reviews:

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  Corolla Cross Bad Gas Mileage - 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross
  By Kate Mears - July 10 - 10:00 pm

  My 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross, front wheel drive, which I purchased new, gets poor gas mileage in the city. Taking short trips with a mix of mild hills and level roads, driving as conservatievly as possible to have the "eco mileage" bar in the green as much as possible, I only average 22 miles per gallon. My 2018 Rav 4 got better than than this and I'm sorry I traded it in for this fuel lemon.

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  Constant Highway vibrations - Bad car - 2015 Toyota Camry
  By Baber - October 13 - 2:58 am

  Leased a brand new LE model a month ago. Nothing but problems since day one. Already replaced all rotors and tires. Wonder what is next. Car shakes and vibrates on the highway. The road noise is deafening. Dealer let me drive another new LE. Same issues. Stay away from this car. Toyota is not what it used to be.

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  Not what I expected - 2008 Toyota Corolla
  By JD - December 30 - 11:00 pm

  I bought this car for my own first brand new car off the lot. Came as a recommendation from my parents who wouldnt help me look at anything else. A year later, I wish I would have taken my chances on my own. Uncomfortable, poor ride, driving position is horrible, can feel the engine vibrating through the floor boards with only 9000 miles on it. Way overpriced for what you get. Recently test drove other cars and realized how big a mistake the corolla was. I would not recommend this car to anyone.

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  severe alignment problem - 2004 Toyota Camry Solara
  By Fred A - December 24 - 10:00 am

  We bought a 2004 Solara V6. It started pulling to the left the very next day. We had to try hard to keep it straight. We took it back for an alignment but then found out that many consumers are facing the same problem with 2004 Solara and Camry. Toyota has been unable to fix the problem. It is unsafe to drive this car, especially on highways.

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  Nice car, which it was less boring though. - 2014 Toyota Prius
  By 36annie - December 22 - 11:30 am

  My third Prius. Unfortunately. I had to buy this car because my wife is an eco-freak, and she swears by Toyotas too. Our old one was so boring, my teenage son crashed it when he fell asleep in stop and go traffic. This one is the same, much to my chagrin. I really try to like this car though, as it is the one I have to drive. Its got an okay stereo, and with my experiences with Toyota, these cars are really reliable too, and this one hasnt left me stranded apart from the time I had a blowout (they dont include spares :P). Its obviously got great gas mileage too. All in all, this is an okay car, but i just wish it was a tiny bit more lively!

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  Pathetic - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By markntx - November 24 - 3:24 pm

  Like many other posters, I bought the Camry based on their reputation but it has been a HUGE dissappointment. Multiple recalls, extended parts warranties, snap-on visors and floor mats falling apart, new struts at 25000, a hard shifting transmission and now I find out about the sludge-prone motor, just to name a few. The most frustrating aspect is that Toyota refuses to be accountable for their mistakes unless forced to, then they still claim driver fault on issues like brakes, sludge and visors. The Service Director at Pat Lobbs Toyota in McKinney even brought up "lemon" in our conversation. But then decided it couldnt be since it made it to 128000 miles. hmm...Very Low Standards!

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  Update on 2005 Sequoia - 2005 Toyota Sequoia
  By snoopy - November 23 - 7:10 am

  I have had my 05 Sequoia back to the dealers twice for the same problem. Front end vibration and steering wheel centering in only 3300 miles. Little has been accomplished in both problems. Will probably need a THIRD visit. Dealer rebalanced all four tires (Dunlop) and rotated them with little difference. Also re-aligned front end. Will probably need a different set of tires, a la the Firestone problem. Gas gauge went to empty despite 3/4 tank of gas. Am thoroughly disgusted with this vehicle. Wish I had never traded my 2003 Suburban. In summary, SEQUOIA, OVER- RATED and OVER-PRICED.

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  But the Vhevrolet and Save - 2002 Toyota Sequoia
  By Baddeal - November 20 - 10:00 am

  The gas milage is terrible for this SUV. I would have reather bought the Ford or Chevy and got the performance and better milage at a much lower cost. The Toyota cost 9K more than I could have bought the Tahoe LT for. I cannot recommend this SUV.

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  Too hyped. Very uncomfortable vehicle - 1996 Toyota Corolla
  By Prez Max - November 16 - 2:00 am

  This is actually my wifes car, but as a 62" person, this car is horible for comfort. The door jam is small compared to similar cars. The vehicle is very underpowered and gets lousy gas milage at that!

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  Bad Steering - 2009 Toyota Venza
  By Andy - November 15 - 6:33 pm

  Pulls left or right when using brakes. Service Department says this is normal. They say they cant find anything wrong so they say this is normal.