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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  Poor Mans Lexus - 2011 Toyota Camry
  By Ronald McCormick - October 15 - 2:16 am

  Love this car and will buy another if this one would ever break ... Indestructible

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  Tough Monkey - 1998 Toyota 4Runner
  By tom - October 15 - 12:53 am

  We bought our Toyota new in 1997. Except for a few relatively minor problems we have driven her through 10 Maine winters without a complaint. 152,000 miles and still going strong. She is starting to show her age a bit. Rear bumper is rusting, which I have noticed on a few others in this model year. I think the design of the rear bumper allows water to intrude and settle. We have had a problem with some locks and latches. And, the if I had to do it over Id swap the electric retracting antenna for a fixed. We replaced the first one and the second is now starting to stick. But none of these problems would prevent me from owning another 4runner. They will take you anywhere!

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  Even the 25 y/os like it.... - 2009 Toyota Corolla
  By Bryan Knight - October 14 - 4:00 pm

  I purchased the Corolla in February and put on about 3400 miles so far (currently July). The car is reliable, stylish, and gets great gas mileage (averaging 30 mpg in mostly city driving, 40 mpg on long trips). I highly recommend getting the vehicle stability control, it has saved my life already once.

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  Powerful fun and comfort - 2007 Toyota Avalon
  By homer - October 14 - 2:36 pm

  Looks great, fast, comfortable, great stereo (JBL 12 speaker), quick steering, corners great - more of a car than you might think.

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  Dangerous car!!! - 2001 Toyota Echo
  By concernedmom - October 14 - 11:23 am

  I was like everyone else, I loved this car at first. The gas mileage was great (38mi./gal), but the day I wrecked it changed my mind. If anyone else had been in the car with me, they wouldve died!! It folded like an aluminum can!!! Please reconsider this car and buy something safer. I didnt have side airbags, but there was dual front airbags. I hit a deer and then hit the passenger side against a tree. The airbags did not deploy and I received a concussion from the passenger door. The whole car folded in half and I was only driving 45mi/hr.!! If you have family, please dont buy this. Their lives will be at risk. Be safe and choose a better car, any passengers with me wouldve been killed.

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  Toyota RAV4 from hell - 2006 Toyota RAV4
  By pabach - October 14 - 8:08 am

  The car has ample power and plenty of space inside. Thats the short list of pluses. On the negative side, the car has been a godsend to the Toyota Manassas shop where we purchased the it. Over 76,000 miles weve had to replace all six cylinder ignition coils, the water pump and, just last week, the transmission, a $4,200 repair (luckily covered by our Geico insurance). Then, as we were driving the car away from the shop, we hear a grinding noise on mild turns, a $600 repair to change one of the wheel bearings. Toyotas were supposed to be reliable. Ours was not. Only a Russian Jeep Niva I used to own in the 90s was worse (dont ask). But at least that car was cheap to fix.

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  Love my Corolla - 2004 Toyota Corolla
  By rjr - October 14 - 6:53 am

  Great car. Roomier than I expected. Agile, peppy. NEVER a problem, very reliable. Always runs like a top. And best of all, it uses only 6.1 L/100Km city and 5.1 highway. I save so much money on gas that it pays for the car. On one trip I used only 27.9 L to go 697 Km, 4.0 L/100Km, 58 miles/USA gallon.

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  Done with Toyota Never Again!!!! - 2008 Toyota Camry
  By Susan Polillo - October 14 - 5:58 am

  My 2008 Camry was purchased with 9K in Sept of that year. I keep up with usual maintenance It just turned 88K and unfortunately have had 3 sets of tires(including original), numerous wheel alignments...to which they say accord to specs its fine but every time I drive off lot it pulls to the left or right?!..... constant vibration with steering..... to which always Toyota or other mechanics say its fine!?!? Horrible at acceleration from starting off and switching lanes! Since summer of 2014, repairs/replacements on the following....2 front wheel bearing hubs shot, right driver cv axle, power steering line, trans leak at drive shaft, was burning oil(Toyota fix through semi recall) and was just informed my front trans mount needs replacement!!! Oh and the sunroof casing squeaks like crazy!!! Plus the paint is the worst on this car!!!!!! I am beyond fet up!!!!! The only positive thing about this car is the body style and gas mileage.

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  Loving the Sequoias power, comfort and reliability - 2008 Toyota Sequoia
  By sjhanks - October 14 - 2:58 am

  Need a big SUV to haul people, gear or tow. Its the best. Had a Yukon XL and it was plagued with problems. Didnt tow really well either. So we purchased the Toyota and spent a little more on it than other similar SUVs, its my third Toyota and I think a few extra bucks is worth it. I do miss the Yukon XLs rear storage. But we just fold one side of the third row down and we have lots of storage. I also have 3 kids almost 6 foot or over 6 foot and they can fit really comfortably in the 3rd row because it is so roomy. Love all the power too, it tows so much better than the 2003 GMC. Pulls right up the hills with no problems

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  2015 Tundra Platinum Crew Max 4WD Awsome - 2015 Toyota Tundra
  By DJ - October 14 - 2:40 am

  Great reliable truck.