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:

• 

  Boring - 2007 Toyota Corolla
  By Cantonlax - August 7 - 7:50 pm

  This car has proved to be very reliable, cheap and efficient, but little else. Gas mileage is high around 30mpg mixed, the interior is well designed and I like the layout. There is plenty of room inside and the outside has a nice style to it. This car is great for those who just want to get from point A to point B in a quiet efficient manner. Nothing about this car is exciting, fun, or comfortable. The seats are awkward and the steering wheel position is out of place. My "premium" wheels began to rust at 20,000 and my tires didnt even last 40,000 miles. This car has been OK to own, but I think next time I will give more thought to my purchase and pick something with more of everything.

• 

  Electronic Probs - 1993 Toyota Camry
  By Methodz - August 6 - 10:00 am

  Its okay performance the only problem is that electronically it contains problems

• 

  Seat issues - 2004 Toyota Matrix
  By john riley - August 6 - 10:00 am

  The car is ok, except the drivers seat is really uncomfortable for me. Too much side bolster and not enough lumbar. I realize one seat does not fit all, but there is no option from Toyota to do anything about the problem, like getting an optional seat.

• 

  MY TOYOTA :: Can you say Lemon! - 2003 Toyota 4Runner
  By Steve Burleson - August 6 - 10:00 am

  1.The tires weights were 90 degrees off of balance and the weights were the wrong size on those tires. 2.Wind noise in the front driver side door (somewhere) 3.When I apply the brakes while driving the vehicle will sometimes pull severly to the right or left as if the brakes are not properly adjusted or the alignment. 4.Engine tapping (lifter noise) coming from the right front that is significant but seems to somewhat diminish goes after the engine is warmed up. 5.CD player would not work without CDs skipping. Dealer of course says everything is perfect, noting the dealer did change out the CD player.

• 

  2001 4RUNNER FRAME CORROSION - 2001 Toyota 4Runner
  By maine4runner - August 6 - 7:36 am

  Been a good vehicle to date, but the latest issue is major. Frame corrosion by muffler which will not pass inspection without getting fixed. This is at 112K miles and 11 years. Beside the chrome bumpers which I just replaced, the rest of the car is perfect. Toyota response is a case #, and will not tell me how many cases have been reported. The local dealer has had a few come in with the same issue. Searching the internet, I find many people with similiar issues. Anybody having similiar experiance.

• 

  Dream turned nightmare - 2007 Toyota Tacoma
  By Bill - August 4 - 11:20 pm

  Purchased new 07 Toy to replace a 03 Honda Oddy after much research. Wanted 4 wheel drive. We love driving it when it runs. It has been back to the dealership 4 times and they cant figure out what is wrong. It just will not start. We park it, go to bed and get up in the morning to a truck that wont start. We really like the back country but now we are afraid to go there as we never know whether our toy will run or not. This is our 4th Tacoma, so we thought we were getting quality.

• 

  2009 Toyota Camry - 2009 Toyota Camry
  By meeka - August 4 - 11:53 am

  I like the car...it is definitely a lot quieter than my old car but, I have the worst time parking it...I am 5 tall and just realized that there is no center marking on the hood of the car so the driver could judge when the car is straight into the parking spot. Unless the driver can see over the hood to the front of the car, there is no way to judge. (I have the seat all the way up as high as it can go) I was also a bit disappointed with the finish of the car and the gas mileage...I am getting 22 mpg...less than with my old car...dont know why...Anyway..I do like it and would recommend it to someone else...a taller person maybe....

• 

  A hybrid may not be for you - 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By Barry - August 2 - 6:20 pm

  Does everything well but nothing outstanding. WARNING: does not enter electric mode on short trips (< 1.5 miles) or over 40 mph even when the battery is charged and the engine is warmed up. Typical toyota quality and reliability which is better than most other cars. The SE with the V6 and 6 speed would be a lot more fun to drive, but would not get as high gas mileage.

• 

  Be Warned - 2004 Toyota Sienna
  By crusher - July 31 - 2:00 am

  We loved the car until we started having problems with the jam protection. The jam protection does not work properly in our Sienna and I had two injures within 3 months of owning the van as a result. We brought up the issue to Toyota several times and they say that there is no problem with the door. Suggestion: Try the jam protection in the area where the weather stripping is - in our Sienna it does not funtion properly. Toyota is taking our Sienna back under the lemon laws and we are going to find another van.

• 

  Not up to my expectation - 2005 Toyota Corolla
  By me - July 28 - 12:20 pm

  This was my first brand new car and it didnt meet my expectations. Three days after I took it home the dash became loose and the side panel where you pull the seat belts out popped out. After three months, the front passenger window had really bad wind noises. I took it in to the dealer and I was told that it was normal. After five months, my brakes already needed replacement. Six months down the road, my front tire needs to be replaced. It was not worth my money to pay for. I see a lot of good reviews about the car, I surely got one that was the worst. I will never buy a Toyota again.