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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  This car is STILL an asset - 1994 Toyota Corolla
  By upoys - October 17 - 4:10 am

  Back in March 02 I wrote a review for my car, stating how it was an asset. Well, over 7 years later, and @ 203k mi, this car is STILL an asset. My last car payment was 1998. This has been the BEST car Ive ever owned! I still get approx. 33 mpg (mostly highway). Rust is starting to form on the bottom of the doors and hood. A/C no longer works. Small inconveniences given that I havent made a car payment in over 11 years! Thanks Toyota for making the most reliable vehicle ever!

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  sorebutt - 2015 Toyota RAV4
  By John - October 17 - 2:09 am

  Bought a limited and have found out that the front seats are made for people under 6. Drivers side is too narrow for comfort. Your right leg will ride on side buttress and not on seat cushion. On long rides, you will be very uncomfortable. It was my mistake and I will have to live with it. When you are test driving a new car, you tend to look at all of the bells and whistles, and forget about comfort. Please do not make my mistake. A very costly mistake. I love Toyotas- had a Camry before the limited. Wow-talk about opposites-going from comfort and quiet, to noise and, "cant wait to get out of that seat" vehicle. Be wise and TAKE YOUR TIME". Remember, there is a big difference between a regular car and an SUV. You will be giving up comfort and noise level. *** Update-5-6-17! Car still uncomfortable for me. Still paying for a car I do not like. Would like to sell it and go back to a Honda or Toyota sedan-more comfort, more cargo space, better gas mileage! As for gas mileage- always subtract at least 5 MPG from window sticker. Getting around 22-23 MPG combined. Glad gas is cheap at this moment! As for the positives- looks good, made very well, tight body, tight engine- in other words, a Toyota!!

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  Rides like a truck. poor engineered struts. - 2014 Toyota Avalon
  By gordon grier - October 17 - 1:36 am

  I had a 2005 toytoa avalon that had a very comfortable ride. This 2014 Toyota Avalon rides like a truck. Poor engineering . Toyota fixed the poor ride problem on their 2016 Avalon models. So on 06/01/16 , I bought new front 2016 Avalon coil Springs part #48131-07120 , #48132-07030 & new front 2016 Avalon shock absorbers part #48520- 8z156 , #48510- 8z299 for my 2014 Avalon. After installing them on my 2014 Avalon , I am now very happy with the improvment in the ride quality. The cost for the springs & shocks was around $400.00. All 2016 shocks & springs fit on 2014 with no problem. The very uncomfortable ride was driving me nuts. This change was a lot cheaper than buying a new car with a more comfortable ride. Hope this helps others with the same problem I had .

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  Great Car - 1999 Toyota Camry Solara
  By N8 - October 17 - 1:33 am

  I have had my SLE for almost 5 years now and I am about to roll over 200,000 miles. I have had a few minor issues with the car but overall it has been an excellent car. The CV joint boot split and ran dry and I had to replace the axle twice. The first time it was still under warranty, and the second time was around 160,000 miles. Smooth ride, good gas mileage for a V6 (27-29 mpg on highway depending on how heavy my foot is!!) and plenty of get up and go. Runs like new!! I would recommend this car to anyone who drives a lot and plans to keep the car for a long time.

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  My Toyota - 2000 Toyota Camry
  By jack stratford - October 17 - 1:13 am

  About two years before retirement I decided to buy a new car and have it paid off before I retired. I had previously owned three Toyotas so I was sold on reliability. Still, I researched the reliability of all cars for about two months, and found the Camry to be the champ. I took another month to select a dealer and options. I finally came up with the "perfect auto". I have just the options I want, and have driven it for six years and four months with no, I repeat, NO problems. I still love my car, my wife doesnt want me to replace it. I dont know that I will, except for another Camry of my choosing.

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  Excellent Value, ride and quality - 2006 Toyota Matrix
  By Garry - October 16 - 10:13 pm

  I traded a Tundra for the Matrix. I thought I would miss the truck. Not at all. This car is amazingly roomy and comfortable. Great fuel economy and pep for a 4 cyl. I have owned Toyotas for over 30 years and will not buy anything else. While you might pay a "little" more than other vehicles, in the long run, you will come out way ahead.

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  Great - 2006 Toyota 4Runner
  By New4Runner - October 16 - 8:50 pm

  I recently bought this, and I like it even better after owning it for a few months. Its already beeen put to the test of many miles of washboarded roads and some moderate off roading on construction sites, and the thing that impresssed me most is the absence of even a single rattle over the bumps. I got it without the sunroof, because if you are over 6-foot, youll scrape your head on the sunroof.

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  18 months, 18,000 miles, like it a lot - 2005 Toyota Camry
  By rambler4 - October 16 - 7:53 pm

  Minimum 23 mpg mixed fwys & surface rds in Minn. winter, to 32 mpg summer freeways 70-80 mph. Im 62", head- and legroom fine, with seats low and far back. Comfortable even on 500-mile drives. Short seats no problem. Tranny hesitates when accelerating from stop or very low speed--a real problem if youre often accelerating from very low speeds to merge with fast-moving traffic. Its a real design flaw, not a question of learning a knack for handling the gas pedal. Degree of hesitation varies unpredictably, once it a while it bogs down badly for a moment. This is the one thing that would make me consider another make/model. Fine at higher speeds, though.

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  Props for the Prius - 2008 Toyota Prius
  By bluegrass in hogtown - October 16 - 3:13 pm

  What a cutie-pie!! I was going for a new CR-V but the Prius was the same price. It totes my upright bass + banjo, guitar, etc., as needed. 51- 53 mpg with no special effort, very cool. Try it, youll like it! Package 5 works well.

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  Very Good - 2006 Toyota Matrix
  By MJ - October 16 - 2:06 pm

  I like my Matrix, however, I would like it even more if it came with a cruise control. It was the only 2006 on the lot, and at the time did not think it would matter. After owning one, I find that it does matter. Because it drives so smooth on the highway that before realizing it, I catch myself speeding. It would also be nice if it had an interrior dome light. All the other things it comes with are awesome! But without the cruise control and the interrior lights, Im thinking about trading it in for one that has it. But looking around, its amazing how having those two features jacks-up the price of the car way too much.