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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  What a great Car! - 2005 Toyota Prius
  By Taxi Mom - September 2 - 12:26 am

  We just love our Prius. We can get 51 mpg on a whole tank just by paying attention of when to lay off the gas pedal. Other times ONLY 46 mpg. Still better than that gas-hog of an SUV we used to drive. Plus were making a stand (as we all should start doing) to stop the insanity of our dependence on oil.

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  Best compact truck ever - 2000 Toyota Tacoma
  By dannybayless - September 1 - 11:43 pm

  Ive owned several compact trucks and this is by far the best all around. The 2.7 pulls the rather heavy truck very well even with the 33" tires on 18" heavy rims Ive put on. The motor has potential to have much more power with a few minor adjustments, which I have done and am very pleased with. This truck has done all thats been requested of it while getting competitive gas mileage (19-23). Ive pulled over 10,000 pounds long distances over rugged terrain with ease, climbed the Smokey mountains, and taken 1000 mile trips with only the extremely uncomfortable interior to complain about. Other than uncomfortable ride, it beat expectations by far. I look forward to the next generation.

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  Perfect for the Understated Person - 2005 Toyota Highlander
  By Citygirl - September 1 - 11:30 pm

  I really like my new Highlander. So far it has not given me any problems. It has the quality and comfort I have come to expect from Toyota (Ive owned two Camrys). The best thing about the car is that I feel like it looks like my lifestyle and personality with lots of class and not too trendy. It doesnt scream "I have money" or "I need a status symbol to feel good" which suits me and my bank account just fine. Great value.

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  Recently purchased, but... - 2007 Toyota RAV4
  By rav4 - September 1 - 9:40 pm

  Recently purchased, but...so far so good!!!! I have never been happier with purchasing a new vehicle.The Rav4 is great on gas for an SUV, I have the 4cyl but it still has good "get-up-and- go" on the interstate. I couldnt be happier with my new Toyota!

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  2009 Oregon Camry Hybrid - 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By 2009 Camry Hybrid - September 1 - 8:36 pm

  My Camry Hybrid has been delivering better than the EPA estimate of 33 MPG city mileage at about 34-35 on the first three tanks of gas. Performance seems better than the 2008 Honda Accord EX-L 4 cylinder I also test drove before deciding on the Toyota and much better mileage to boot. The loaded Camry Hybrid is really close in price to a comparably equipped Camry XLE V6.

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  Love it - 2003 Toyota Matrix
  By Katy - September 1 - 2:23 pm

  Weve owned the matrix for 5 years now and it has over 100,000 miles. Only routine maintenance. Bought for the interior flexibility since we have 2 dogs. We bought ours used but would have preferred the V6 for a little more pep. We have had a very good experience and plan to drive this car for another 100,000 miles.

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  Toyota Mavin - 2006 Toyota Matrix
  By Penni - September 1 - 10:56 am

  The Matrix is one of the most fun vehicles I have owned. It is quiet, peppy in town, smooth riding, and response handling. My model is a loaded XR front wheel drive with the side spoilers in Phantom Gray Pearl. The six-disc radio has wonderful sound. Even my dog loves the car - she begs to go for rides. Gas mileage is a little lower than I expected, but I am averaging 24 mpg in town and 32 mpg on the highway with an automatic transmission. I just added the sunroof deflector - a good improvement with the sunroof open.

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  Toyota Misses The Mark - 2016 Toyota Tacoma
  By TK - September 1 - 6:17 am

  I was prepared to sell my 2005 TRD Tacoma for a new 2016 TRD Pre-runner Sport until I drove one. The new engine is supposedly from a Lexus. Gives Lexus a bad name. Actually the engine is probably fine, but in the interest of CAFE mileage requirements Toyota has crushed the spirit of the previous model Tacoma. The drivers seat bottom cushion isnt as long, sits flatter, seems thinner and harder, thereby offering far less thigh support, appearing as though the change was to reduce weight. Push the pedal for rapid acceleration and you get a 25 yrs. ago bad case of turbo lag while the computer appears to be giving you time to decide whether you really want to jeopardize your attempt at breaking your previous mileage record. In like kind, it is geared for mileage and therefore downshifts at the slightest throttle advance. I like mileage, but this is a pickup truck. There are way to defeat some of this, but then Im pushing this 3.5L engine most of the time in an attempt to get what I got from my previous 4L version. There are some nice techy items if you want your medium size truck to feel more like your, I dont know, Lexus. When I asked whether Toyota was fixing some of this on the soon to be released 2017 I got the, "Toyota puts a lot of engineering, money and thought into their designs and then sticks with them". Hmm, a tone of "Wed agree with you if we werent senior sales staff". So I bought the newest version of Tacoma similar to my 2005, a 2015, only to find that rather than have improved power and torque over 10 yrs. of refinement, my "visually identical" 4L engine now had 236 HP instead of 245 HP, and 266 ft.lb torque instead of 282 ft.lb, but perhaps 1-2 mpg improved mileage. Im for mileage, but many companies appear to have figured out how to achieve both. I have not yet determined where the power and torque went other than likely remapping at Toyota, where they lock you out from youthful and less youthful free thoughts of tailoring your truck to fit your needs. Wait, for only $6,000 or a little more you can buy and install a supercharger from TRD for your 4L engine, which confirms that the engine can handle a lot more power. Toyota appears to understand what a quality truck is, just not yet the true spirit of a truck owner/driver. At this point I remembered the rest of my conversation with the sales guys and former car leader Bob Lutz. The days of our most satisfying autos are already behind us. Just wait another few years as CAFE pushes the cars and truck to autonomous pods with no heart and soul. As Bob Lutz said, the industry as we knew it will be dead and gone in 20 years (I say 15 yrs) and replaced with Uber-style, give me my tablet so I can order a ride. But why? That debated but likely true global warming thing is forcing us to protect the world from us and us from ourselves. So, if you believe any of this, buy your last vehicle youre likely to enjoy very soon, some critical spare parts, and nurse it until you can longer remember where it was you wanted to go or how to get home from there. Oh, and hope the govt doesnt impart penalties to encourage you to turn it in to your local recycling plant. Just had a vision of camo tarp covered, lifted, 6.X L diesel rock crushers hidden in the forest.

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  Absolute Garbage! - 2011 Toyota Tacoma
  By mongre - August 31 - 11:41 pm

  I have now owned 4 Toyotas. Excluding a late 80s base model Tacoma, this is the worst vehicle I have ever owned. I will be slow to purchase a Toyota again. Cheap materials, cramped and awkward interior, an endless supply of mechanical failures. I am happy to say goodbye. I spent hours haggling over the Cruise Control failing at 70. Toyota made every excuse yet blamed me & the terrain (small incline). 1 engine out of 12 takes synthetic. Of course my dealership filled it with standard and replaced it so the engine could sound like a VW bug for a while. Two...yes TWO rear bearings, a differential and a front strut later and this has been in the shop more than my last 3 cars combined!

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  A very good move - 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By Robert NorVelle - August 31 - 3:00 pm

  I was never a big fan of Japanese cars but after reading so many great reviews of the Camry Hybrid I decided to check it out. I drove it and wow what a nice car. I traded my 07 GMC Denali (13.2 mpg) in on a loaded TCH and am getting 36.2 in total comfort! The TCH is a very nice car to drive and has lots of room for my 62" 260lb self to travel in.