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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  1st truck and Disappointed - 2008 Toyota Tundra
  By hrs73 - October 11 - 2:57 pm

  This is my first truck and I bought a Toyota for its reliability and hopefully good re-sale value. I have been very disappointed in the tires. I have 69k and need a third set of tires. The dealer blamed the alignment, so on the second set of tires they have done all the aligments. So now the dealership is blaming the tire maker. All I travel is roads and highways. I keep it aligned but the tires are wearing out unevenly. The radio was replaced twice and the truck has a bounce that has made my child car sick on two occasions. The truck dents easily and is not as good on gas mileage as I would hope a 6 cyclinder would be. I like the acceleration and the look of the truck.

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  Have I bought a lemon? - 2009 Toyota Corolla
  By 2009 "Lemon" - October 10 - 9:13 pm

  We purchased a 2009 Toyota Corolla LE May 31, 2008. At about 2000 miles the VSC Light came on flashing. Took it back to dealer and they could not find anything wrong. The light came back on and it started to spit and sputter and die for no reason around 3000 miles. Took it back to dealer and they replaced the Mass Air Flow Sensor and cleared the codes again. Was driving it again and slowed down to turn a corner and it died for no reason. It currently has 4500 miles on it and the dealer has had it for a week. They called and said they are ordering a new wiring harness which is supposed to fix the problem. Im now wondering what will be next.

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  SHES A HONEY - 1996 Toyota Camry
  By ANN MANIUSZKO - October 10 - 9:36 am

  I purchased this car from a family member (who had purchased it new) in June 2000 with 15,540 miles on it. It now has 50,583 miles on it and it is OUTSTANDING!!! This car has never given me a moments trouble; it gets about 21-22 mpg around town (not bad for a V6 thats almost 10 yrs. old). I have had NO mechanical problems other than normal wear and tear. I will sell this car later this year when I replace it with a HYBRID HIGHLANDER (cant wait). Ive driven Toyotas exclusively since 1974 and would not even consider another brand! My daughters PRIUS avgs. 50 mpg and I just love driving it ... way to go Toyota!

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  Torqued windshield & odd tranny - 2004 Toyota Camry
  By Bruce G - October 10 - 5:13 am

  Pleasant to drive, lots of room but the radio sounds a bid cheap despite a bunch of speakers. The windshield developed a tiny crack near the roof that progressively lengthed to about 2 feet before replaced. There seems to be a tendency for the chassis to twist and crack the windshield! Like others Ive had a dash rattle. Also, tap the brakes when slowing from 70 on a downslope and the tranny very perceptively downshifts. No answers from dealer.

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  LOVE w Blue Truck - 2017 TRD SPORT Tacoma - 2017 Toyota Tacoma
  By Bryan- da hawaiian - October 10 - 2:35 am

  Traded in my 2011 Trd Sport Tacoma for one reason and one reason only the ride was rough I loved this truck. Then came the 3rd gen. Tacoma in 2016 saw it and heard about all the trans problems of 5th and 6th gear confused so I waited for this BLAZING BLUE 2017. Get looks from everyone and everyone comes up to me saying beutiful truck...which I think is absulotely true. Now the ride is like riding in a big F-150 or a Lexus it is so queit and comfortable. It get better: Averaging 24 mpg in the city. I drove it on a 33 mile freeway drive the other day with about 3 stop lights got 29 mpg... I am so so stoked. Open the door w/o pushing key button then push start the start button and your off to a smooth quiet comfortable ride luxury all the way. Is so so easy to start and go. Look forward to driving this luxury truck and easy to park. Cant wait for my next drive.....get one for yourself.

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  Love my new Prius - 2013 Toyota Prius
  By pattiprius - October 9 - 11:30 pm

  I owned a 2005 Prius for 8 years with no problems ever. It averaged 48-50 mpg most of those years. My new 2013 is a Prius 4 with more bells & whistles, which I thought would lower the mpg, but not so far. I averaged 53 mpg on my 1st tank! I dont care for the center console area, less storage area than earlier models. And they replaced the map size door pockets with cup/bottle size pockets. I almost went with the larger PriusV because of the cosole area. The solar air circulation seems to work pretty good, considering I am in FL! Anyway, it was a little higher priced, but if it works as well as my old one, itll be worth it not to have any issues!

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  So far so good - 2010 Toyota Corolla
  By taram21 - October 9 - 5:41 pm

  I bought my certified 2010 Corolla about 2 months ago with 36000 miles on it.This was defiantly not my first choice when searching for a new car but it was in my price range and I thought it was cute so I went ahead. I drive 80 miles round trip to work every day and so far its been great. However I do have a few complaints. The seats are not comfortable at all! They also collect lint like another review said. The interior is really boring in my opinion and it is really hard to see the clock. Overall it is cute and fun but I wish I had waited and found something better

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  This vehicle sucks - 2003 Toyota Sequoia
  By Lmckevitt - October 9 - 10:00 am

  Most wimpy vehicle Ive ever owned. Waste of money, wish Id gotten an Expedition instead. Alignment problems every 3 months, door handle broke, customer service sucks--never will go Toyota again. Chevy or Ford all the way--wanted something tough, got a wimp on wheels....

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  Rides like Butta - 2002 Toyota Avalon
  By shab1 - October 9 - 10:00 am

  Couln"t be more pleased with a vehicle. Only have had 5 cars...all purchased new...all foreign...1 previous Toyota (stolen at 10 yrs old. Looked great, drove great...didn"t start once / battery). The 2002 Avalon is fantastic. Would buy again.

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  Love it! - 2003 Toyota Prius
  By L. Keeling - October 9 - 10:00 am

  Fun, peppy, turns on a dime. Pull into any spot.