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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  Please take sufficiently long test drive - 2011 Toyota 4Runner
  By matt138 - July 20 - 1:38 pm

  Make sure to test drive with the radio off to see if you can live with the loud cabin noise every time the brake pedal is pressed. It is a squish sound like walking in a wet shoe. Also, the transmission is very rough and surges at 45 mph when "cruising" at low RPM. Neither of which came up during my short test drive (with radio on). I have only owned it for 300 miles and already had it back to the dealership. They had it for a full day only to tell me, "brake noise is loud but normal...the others on the lot sound exactly the same", and, they claimed they could not feel the surging/jerky transmission. Now after further research I see similar posts online. Very disappointing.

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  A few problems - 2006 Toyota Avalon
  By Jim B. - July 14 - 11:53 pm

  Im really surprised at this car. It looked great, and the professional reviews were AWESOME. But Ive had problems -- lots of minor ones. I wonder if the magazine reviewers get specially prepped cars from Toyota? My Avy has transmission hesitation, a few squeaks and the front windshield now that it is cold CAN NOT stay free of ice or snow. In Iowa, thats a BIG problem. I find the front seats uncomfortable for longer trips. The back seats are nicer.

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  get a honda - 1997 Toyota Corolla
  By honda85 - July 14 - 2:00 am

  This car is supposed to get at least 26 mpg. Over the past years it has only gotten 17!!! I dont live where there is tones of stop and go driving either. This car is not what its made out to be. The engine is very high strung and noisey. And, if you dont mind having every car passing you when youre getting on the interstate, have at it!

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  I havent saved that much on gas - 2011 Toyota Prius
  By Neal Connor - July 7 - 5:36 pm

  I have owned the car for a little over 3 years and have 70,000 miles on it. This summer the ac stopped working. Took it to my mechanic who indicated it was either an electrical problem or a computer problem and that it needed to go to the dealership for repair. The dealer indicated the condenser assy and compressor need to be replaced at a cost of $3,800. This Prius hasnt been what is advertised

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  I Expected More from Toyota - 2012 Toyota Prius
  By Philip Anthony - July 6 - 3:08 pm

  I have really enjoyed my Toyota Prius... until yesterday. At 32,526 miles, I heard an odd sound under the hood. The dealership told me that my AC compressor had seized and would cost $2,600 to fix!!! They also informed me that, though I was under the 36,000 mile limit of my warranty, I was 20 days past the 3 year limit. I thought, " Surely Toyota will honor the warranty and take care of this repair". When I owned a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu, I was in a similar situation with my alternator. Chevy stepped up and took care of the issue at no charge to me. Surely, Toyota would do the same.... No. They were unwilling to even help with the cost, despite the diagnosis being that the compressor was faulty.

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  Uniformed of truth on batterys - 2011 Toyota Avalon
  By determined2 - June 23 - 8:28 pm

  Purchased 2011 Avalon in May 2010. Constant dead batterys. Cannot leave car over 4 days without jumping it. Not informed this is constant problem with this vehicle as it appears it is being hidden. Have much documentation but they will not put their statements in writing. Sticker price was $47,000 and it started just 10 days after taking possession of vehicles. Beware of Toyota Avalons! All back up documentation available . Toyota is ignoring this problem , It will not go away!

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  CANT PASS - 2004 Toyota Matrix
  By TENOR1010 - June 22 - 10:00 am

  CAR CANNOT PASS ON A HILL. SPORATICALLY IT WILL OR WILL NOT GO INTO PASSING GEAR. NOT GREAT GETTING ONTO A HIGHWAY SINCE THE PICKUP IS SO POOR THAT YOU ARE IN AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. pOOR RADIO TOTAL UNCLEAR BASS.

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  Hate this minivan. - 2008 Toyota Sienna
  By Davis - June 21 - 7:00 am

  Bought this van new in 2008 and have treated it well. Initially liked it well enough, though lack of flat area on center console was very annoying. However, even from the beginning, poor craftsmanship/materials were evident. Things started breaking within a year. Pieces of trim coming unglued and hanging off, buttons breaking, etc. - those little things that drive you nuts. I had to replace the factory standard tires and battery far sooner than I should have. Cabin noise has also increased significantly since purchase. For the past 5 years I have had a gurgling behind the steering column that no mechanic has ever been able to identify, including Toyota dealership. Van has begun to shimmy and vibrate over 50 mph, which no mechanic has been able to fix. But more concerning is the handling in all weather that is the least bit damp. Despite trying various types of tires, and driving well within the speed dictated by road conditions, the van has significant issues with lack of traction and hydroplaning. Even pulling out at a light on slightly damp roads can cause the wheels to slip. If wet weather is bad, snow is even worse. I have gotten to the point that I just dont drive the vehicle in inclement weather. The only reason I have kept the van is that I only see myself needing a van for another couple years. Once the kids are out of college you no longer need that size vehicle. So I park it on my driveway and use it only when my Honda CRV just isnt big enough.

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  Hate this minivan. - 2008 Toyota Sienna
  By Davis - June 21 - 7:00 am

  Bought this van new in 2008 and have treated it well. Initially liked it well enough, though lack of flat area on center console was very annoying. However, even from the beginning, poor craftsmanship/materials were evident. Things started breaking within a year. Pieces of trim coming unglued and hanging off, buttons breaking, etc. - those little things that drive you nuts. I had to replace the factory standard tires and battery far sooner than I should have. Cabin noise has also increased significantly since purchase. For the past 5 years I have had a gurgling behind the steering column that no mechanic has ever been able to identify, including Toyota dealership. Van has begun to shimmy and vibrate over 50 mph, which no mechanic has been able to fix. But more concerning is the handling in all weather that is the least bit damp. Despite trying various types of tires, and driving well within the speed dictated by road conditions, the van has significant issues with lack of traction and hydroplaning. Even pulling out at a light on slightly damp roads can cause the wheels to slip. If wet weather is bad, snow is even worse. I have gotten to the point that I just dont drive the vehicle in inclement weather. The only reason I have kept the van is that I only see myself needing a van for another couple years. Once the kids are out of college you no longer need that size vehicle. So I park it on my driveway and use it only when my Honda CRV just isnt big enough.

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  Reliable but the good ends there - 2008 Toyota RAV4
  By unhappyRAVdriver - June 19 - 5:13 pm

  Four-wheel drive automatically disengages at 26mph and the salesperson did NOT point out that feature. Vehicle is the noisiest and worst riding I have ever had and Ive driven SUVs for 20+ years. Front seats are unacceptable; very uncomfortable, short--cuts across the back of the thighs--and they dont adjust back far enough for me, a 56" driver. Very unhappy with this vehicle and I wont buy Toyota again.