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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  Great car until the hybrid battery pack failed at 109k - 2005 Toyota Prius
  By armory - June 23 - 7:31 pm

  Bought used with 58k miles. Car is extremely quiet. Car gets around 48mpg after changing your driving habits. You can fill up the gas tank for about $35. Changing the oil is easy b/c the oil filter is attached at the very bottom of the engine and nothing is below it. My hybrid battery died at 109k miles. This is a $3500 repair at Toyota. I would not have bought a Prius if I would have known the battery would not last longer. I replaced the battery pack myself with a refurbished one from priusrebuilders.com for about $1000 and sold the car. Money saved in gas was used to pay for repair. A Prius sitting and not being driven is the number 1 reason for battery packs not lasting.

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  Disappointed in Rav4 dependability - 2007 Toyota RAV4
  By Kerry Ross Boren - June 23 - 7:26 pm

  I have owned several other Toyotas and I liked them for their dependability. I purchased a 2007 Rav4 for that reason and have been greatly disappointed. The brakes went out at 17,000 miles; an oil hose broke at 23,000; the tires wore out at 20,000 and had to be replaced; the paint job is chipping; the exterior is made of fiberglass and is easily damaged; the power steering column is failing and will have to be replaced at 23,000 miles. What a disappointment. Toyota fails to warranty any of these defects or make a recall for potentially dangerous ones. I have had this vehicle a little more than two years and it has proved to be an expensive liability. I will not purchase another Toyota.

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  Great Car - 1999 Toyota Camry
  By kwc1987 - June 23 - 3:46 pm

  The 99 Toyota Camry is a great car for me so far. I have had no problems with it. The car rides very nice and I think it will last me through college. The only problem I have is the suspension is noisy when it goes over rough bumps. I am 64 and I really feel comfortable because the seat adjusts back/forth and up/down. Its a great car and I have read great reviews on this car!

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  Buy one and you wont be disappointed!! - 2007 Toyota Prius
  By Chris G - June 23 - 2:33 pm

  You dont need to be someone who thinks buying a hybrid is going to save the world to enjoy this car. I love it. People say it is the car of the future. Cars should all be like the Prius. I have driven mine for 3 months. It was still in the below 0 temperatures when I first got it in Feruary. I got about 40 mpg. Now that the temperature is 60-70 degrees, I get about 50 mpg. It is plenty big for my 8 month old, my wife, myself and all the attachments that go along for a long weekend. The trunk is big. My wife loves that it makes me a more conscious driver. Speeding kills mpg, so I slow down.

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  Bad, Bad A/C - 2009 Toyota Sienna
  By M Perez - June 23 - 4:00 am

  I purchased a new van so that my wife and kids would not have to deal with all the aches associated with an old car. We live in So Cal where the summer temps go over 100 deg. The A/C on the van has stopped blowing cold air on 5 separate occasions. This happens either when stopped or driving so its not even a consistent problem. We take it to the dealer and they say they cant find anything wrong with it. I had previously purchased a Camry with NO problems. Thinking Toyota was more reliable I purchased this car for my wife and it was a BAD mistake. Next time I will go with a Honda for the family van.

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  One Amazing Rig - 2008 Toyota 4Runner
  By Rav4Runner - June 23 - 3:06 am

  Have had my runner for about 4 months now, and I must say amazing in every category. The mileage has been great so far (17.5 average) and the V8 is smooth and purrs like a happy cat. Not to mention it tows great! I would not get any other vehicle.

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  Very happy with it! - 2007 Toyota Matrix
  By Pogradeci - June 22 - 9:16 pm

  After having been driven an Aurora and spending thousands of dollars on gas and repair, I decided to buy a Toyota car. Since my 1st choice the Prius was a little over my budget, decided to go with the Matrix. Bottom line I am very happy with my choice. The car is easy to drive, has a lot of cargo space and I spend much less time at the gas pump.

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  really impressed - 2002 Toyota Sequoia
  By cattle - June 22 - 2:16 pm

  I owned a 4 Runner prior to the Sequoia and my daughter owns a Camry, it is impossible to beat Toyotas quality.

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  Great value for the money! - 2003 Toyota Corolla
  By terrib - June 22 - 1:10 pm

  Bought my 03 Corolla used with 87,000 miles on it. I am a Home Health nurse and needed an inexpensive, reliable car with good gas mileage and a roomy trunk. This Corolla has met all my needs and then some. I have fallen in love with this car. I spend hours a day in it, minimum 500-600 miles a week in all kinds of conditions and weather and this car has not let me down yet. I now have 123,000 miles on it and plan to drive it another 120,000 +. No mechanical issues. I have only performed maintenance: replaced filters, tires, brakes, spark plugs, as well as oil changes every 3000 miles and transmission service. One small problem,have blown a fuse twice from using plug in to charge laptop computer.

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  Consumer Reports is dead right - 2003 Toyota Tundra
  By TRDTundra - June 22 - 12:03 pm

  What a great truck. Dont believe the BS about how this truck doesnt tow like the domestic counterparts. I have the factory towing package and this truck tows my 21 foot Bass Boat like it wasnt even hooked up back there. Drives and rides very smooth, almost like a quality sedan. Of course, it also has Toyota reliability and warranty.