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:

• 

  No Start Problem ! - 2012 Toyota RAV4
  By animaladvocate - January 11 - 4:08 am

  I have a brand new - 3 weeks old 2012 Toyota RAV4 V6 4WD. It didnt start yesterday morning, it didnt start today at lunch. After reading all the directions and trying everything, it started on the 5th try. I contacted dealer and will be bringing it in tomorrow. Read another review that another customer was told to "live with it". I wont. This needs to be fixed or should be considered a lemon. Will update after my service appointment tomorrow !

• 

  What a Turkey - 2002 Toyota Sequoia
  By RobMcP - January 2 - 10:00 am

  Toyota doesnt know how to build trucks or take care of customers. 4WD broke first time I used 4WLow in deep snow (in my driveway). Dealer accused me of abuse (had to be because Toyotas dont break...unbelievable arrogance). Got it resolved (had to go to another dealer who took mercy on me) but Toyota help center was no help at all. Took 2 months to resolve and repair. It also eats brakes (we drive VERY conservatively) and the windshield has cracked twice for no apparent reason. Clicking noise of fuel injectors when cold. Overall, a total turkey. If you want to buy a full-sized SUV buy American. Lesson learned.

• 

  Be careful w/ used trucks. - 2001 Toyota Tundra
  By Isaac - December 30 - 2:00 am

  Bought my truck sept. of last year. Many transmission problems, finally in 01/06 shop had to put a rebuilt transmission. It took 2wks to come from warranty co. and the first trans. didnt work. Shop had to order another and it finally worked. My truck was in the shop for one month. I had only put an additional 3000 mls. since date of purchase. I was stranded 83 mls. from fresno coming back from vacation. Speakers are starting to go. For as much as I paid should have bought a new one. DONT FIX THINGS UNDER WARRANTY THE CHEAPEST WAY POSSIBLE!!!

• 

  2010 Prius IV Low gas mileaage - 2010 Toyota Prius
  By clarkins - December 26 - 3:25 pm

  I purchased my 2010 in october of 2010 and car is ok, but a few design flows, like heated seats under center dash, vision do not extend, no power seats. I have been tracking the mileage fo car since purchase and only average 40.13 mpg after 17 tanks and 7000 miles. Not happy with that at all. The only time the cars has seen 50 + mpg is costing down hill for about 30 miles. dealer said t put premium gas in to increase mpg, if I wante dto put premium gas in a car I have my Lexus for that, not this Prius. The sticker says nothing about having to use high grade gas to get 50 mpg. Its a very misleading sticker and advertising from Toyota. Quaility not what is use to be either.

• 

  I must have gotten the lemon - 1995 Toyota Camry
  By JimBeam - December 24 - 6:56 pm

  Camrys have a great reputation, but mine didnt live up to it. Motor mounts went bad at 95,000. The car started leaking oil at about 120,000, leading to the replacement of all the seals. The drivers side front power door lock seized at 130,000 meaning that I couldnt open the drivers side door. The Toyota dealership charged me $50 to tell me that they couldnt figure out how to fix it or how to even get the door open. (I finally got it open with a coat hanger and got a local mechanic to diagnose the problem and replace it with used parts.)

• 

  Toyota goes cheap while others pony up! - 2010 Toyota Corolla
  By mhadden1 - December 18 - 4:59 pm

  Ive owned several vehicles over the past 10 years, including several Toyota trucks, but this was the first Toyota car Ive purchased for myself. My sister has a 2007 (9th generation) and its fit and finish and build quality and materials are lightyears ahead of the current 10th generation. Toyota seems to have traveled back in time with the 10th generation! Not only are the interior plastics cheap and not soft-to-the-touch, they scratch VERY easily. The dash, doors, center console, and key area are scratched like crazy after 24k miles, even with due care not to scratch them! If it werent for the poor, cheap interior quality, I would probably have liked this car a little better.

• 

  Seating Design - 2008 Toyota Sequoia
  By GRF493 - December 15 - 10:13 pm

  The power option for folding the third row seats is GREAT! Now, if Toyota can just apply that same option to the second row seats, it would be outstanding. Having three large dogs, coupled with a knee injury, it makes adjusting the second row seats difficult. The power option would be a huge help in this arena. Think disabled, we rarely do, until we ourselves are in that situation.

• 

  2003 Corolla S - 2003 Toyota Corolla
  By gmoney - December 13 - 10:00 am

  After 6 months of ownership, I have to say that I am not completely pleased with my 2003 Corolla S. First of all, the gas mileage rating of 31 city/39 highway is greatly over stated. To date, I have averaged only 29mpg. I drive about 60% highway. Also, the drivers seat is very uncomfortable as many others have stated. In addition, the dash buzzes very loudly in 3 different areas. And to buyers of the S version, be prepared to replace the front end ground effects often.

• 

  Needed Improvements for this Day & Age - 2008 Toyota Sequoia
  By GRF493 - December 10 - 8:16 pm

  Overall, its been a good vehicle. While most people are aware of what theyre buying and all of the features that go with the vehicle, at the time of purchase, some "necessities" become apparent after your ownership experience gains tenure.

• 

  noisy ride. - 2016 Toyota Tacoma
  By David - December 9 - 7:19 am

  They call it wind noise in the weather stripping between 15 and 45 mph but you can hear it with windows rolled down and being on the outside of the truck. Maybe the tires, faulty design but it hums like crazy and they just keep saying they know about it but Toyota hasnt given them a solution yet. Would not pay all this money out again on a Toyota. This is my 3rd one and my last one. All have had noise issues and I am hard of hearing.