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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  23.5 mpg in four wheel or not, air on or not. - 2010 Toyota Tacoma
  By Robert Pickard - April 5 - 3:08 am

  look at the head lights if you buy this truck used. not that theres a problem with them, but the dealer ran mine thru a car wash and cracked them and I hadnt noticed til I got it home. (too late) also I would be very careful waxing it. the dealer detailed mine with wax. what a terrible job they did( got it all over the cladding). no problems with the truck its self just watch your dealer.

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  XRS no more AUTO?now 3/1/02 - 2003 Toyota Matrix
  By XRS - April 4 - 9:53 pm

  No XRS in Auto no more? 3/1/02? Car is only a month old and now stopping production of Automatics 180hp? No standard 3-1 radio/cass/cd No sunroof on XRX? Have to add on? No leather seats?

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  Excellent/reliable - 2005 Toyota Camry
  By Melanie - April 4 - 5:00 pm

  The Camry has more pep than people think. I passed a Prius on the road thinking "How bad does this look that a Camry is speeding by?" Although many Camry drivers may be the more cautious type, they drive as fast as the driver wants.

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  Great, fun car to drive! - 2001 Toyota RAV4
  By Isela - April 4 - 6:53 am

  Ive had my Rav 4 for almost 5 years. Im about to go over the 100K mile mark and its been doing great. The only downside is that the 2001 model has something wrong with the Oxygen sensor software. I had it fail on me around 65K miles and again at about 82K. It was covered under warranty both times and is around an $80 fix for the next time it comes down the line. Not really a big problem, but it makes the check engine light go off.

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  MR HS - 2005 Toyota RAV4
  By JIM H. - April 4 - 6:40 am

  SNAPPY LITTEL SUV, DRIVES AND HANDELS WELL, WE LOVE THE IDEA OF SHOPPING BAG HOOKS IN REAR COMPARTMENT, JUST ONE PROBLEM NOTED MOST PLASTIC BAGS ARE TOO LONG AND DRAG ON FLOOR. NOT ENOUGH UP FRONT SMALL STORAGE AREAS (NOOKS)GOOD IDEA FOR PLACEMENT OF POWER OUTLETS. GRATE INOVATION FOLDING REAR SEATS WORKS PERFECT. SHOULD HAVE ELECTRIC ADJUSTABLE SEATS

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  That affordable car everyone buys - 2012 Toyota Corolla
  By cappecan - April 4 - 5:39 am

  I bought my 2012 Corolla LE brand new off the lot with 30 miles on it. I have owned it six months, and have put 5,000 miles on it, and have encountered zero problems. It has done what it was intended and built to do, and thats safely transport me from point A to point B. These Corollas are designed to go for a long time, and present safety and superb reliability. And thats exactly what a Corolla does. They arent comparable to their "sister car" the Camry in any way because they dont have any of the luxurious qualities a Camry does. I think thats why they are reasonably priced. As far as safety is concerned, a Toyota will always be one of the safest vehicles on the road.

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  Back Pain - 2010 Toyota Corolla
  By BWC - April 4 - 2:33 am

  Even though specs say car is bigger, it seems smaller inside; feel crunched. All Corollas have slanted seats (toward back, fall into a "V" shape) which kills the back unless you use a slanted cushion. Id like to know who designs cars and why dont they get consumers input?

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  Great Vehicle - 1999 Toyota 4Runner
  By Gregory J Strzelecki - April 3 - 11:10 pm

  I love this vehicle. I have owned it for 8 years. I bought it used with 90,000 miles. Other then oil changes this vehicle is maintenance free. Now I have 230,000 miles and I have had to change somethings. Like rack and pinion bushings, shocks and struts, sway bar bushings, breaks. The most expensive part that needed to be changed was the fly wheel but that was over 5 years ago. the 4 wheel drive options are great i never get stuck in the mud or snow. I think I will be driving this vehicle for several more years to come. There is a 500000 mile club for 4 Runners. that is Amazing. By Gregory J Strzelecki

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  UPDATE - 2015 Toyota RAV4
  By jacknhill - April 3 - 5:42 pm

  As an add-on to the first opinion I wrote of the 2015 RAV4: Initially I was slightly disappointed with MPGs and realized the extreme cold temps. in the NE USA were the reason.A recent road trip produced Identical MPGs as a traded-in 13 CRV: 62 MPH= 34 MPG 69 MPH= 30 MPG 74 MPH= 28.5 MPG 79 MPH= 27.6 MPG W/cruise control over 200+ miles at each speed.MPG was identical to the CRV.The RAV4 is 150 lbs. heavier too.RAV4 also fits more cargo as the wheel wells inside the back are 44"apart.The rear seats also fold down completely level,unlike CRV.Driving in city, Sport mode is a must to shift smoother.The 6 speed manual/auto is a ++. Michelins grab the road in cornering,big +++.

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  Mixed bag - I would still buy another one - 2001 Toyota Prius
  By CleanFuelVirginia - April 3 - 11:46 am

  I have had relatively few problems and the trouble with the car is that after 100K the service departments do not care about the car and have thrice given me careless and wrong diagnosis of the troubles I have had with the battery depleting while I am driving. It will simply stop in the middle of a journey. Its worse in city traffic. The other issue to my mind is that the mileage is no great shakes. I get maximum 50 miles per gallon. I remember in the 70s that many cars were small and getting gas mileage that was over 40mpg. So young people- dont be taken in by the hype. Get a smaller car.