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:

• 

  Shouldve gotten the Yaris instead - 2009 Toyota Corolla
  By Ex-Toyotafan - October 2 - 3:03 am

  I went to the dealership to get a Prius and ended up with a Corolla. Bad decision. If I was looking at fuel efficiency and fun to drive and style in a Toyota, I shouldve listened to my gut feeling and picked up the Yaris hatchback instead. Its far more pleasing to the eye. The Corolla only excels in build quality and fuel efficiency. These are major things for most people and most people seem to definitely go past the looks and driving dynamics of this awkward-looking refrigerator. The interior is not bad except it looks more like the Korean cars of yesteryear, the floaty ride is good if I am the passenger and 4-speed auto is to dated, so as the drum rear brakes.

• 

  Disappointed - 2012 Toyota Sienna
  By simpleuser - September 29 - 2:46 am

  Navigation System is very poorly designed. Not only its not self-intuitive, but also seems to be buggy. Some times some of the options are grayed out, some other times the same options are available. That should not be happening. Also, I still have not been able to transfer my phone contacts - the process keeps failing. Another thing thats a bummer: it seems to be averaging 14 miles a gallon, though I drive half of the miles on the freeway about 70m/hr. Where is the promised 25 miles per gallon??? The storage spacing is a bit weird: I have 8 cup holders around me, but not much other type of storage.

• 

  No big issues - but wont buy again - 2006 Toyota Sienna
  By Boston Driver - September 27 - 12:36 am

  Bought this car for my wife who swore she would never want a minivan. She likes the car, but Im not crazy about it. Mileage averages 19 .. i never expected 30, but 23-24 seemed reasonable. The engine seems underpowered or else the transmission is just plain shifting at the wrong times (i shouldnt have to floor it to maintain 70 mph on a minor incline). Otherwise just plain feels like Im driving a couch

• 

  Cracked manifolds - 2000 Toyota Tundra
  By blaine - September 25 - 11:43 am

  I bought this truck new and started having problems after the first year. Wiring harness under spare tire burned off,the frond drive housing was not properly tightened and stripped the threads causing the 4wd to be replaced. the dealership said it was fixed and it happened again,so i took it to a back yard mechanic and he fixed it again replacing the frond drive AGAIN. Then cracked manifolds. check your rear bumper it is also probably rusted off. MY LAST TOYOTA.

• 

  S.O.S!! Toyota Sinking - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By Dennis Vernon, CT - September 19 - 5:06 am

  The first few months were trouble free and couldnt have been more pleased. Winter arrived and the tires which are rated "All Season" felt like they were bald from the get go. Never buy Bridgestone. Tires wore after only 28,000 miles. The car felt as if the tranny was slipping in cold weather. You can hear it pop out of gear and then the RPMs drop to 800. The vehicle couldnt reproduce the problem at the dealership. Im starting to lose a quart of oil between changes. Stay far away from Toyota.

• 

  More Oil - 2009 Toyota Camry
  By Frank R. - September 19 - 2:40 am

  Oil consumption is terrible with this car. It started with a quart of oil every 1200-1400 miles. Ive been adding oil between oil changes from day one. A quart and a half to 2 quarts between changes. Now with 120,000 miles it is a lot worse. Other than that I have no complaints. But, Toyota should fix this...Im thinking of calling my State Representatives about it, because when I had the oil consumption test done by the dealer a few years ago, they said a quart of oil every 1200 miles usage was ok. Sure. For them! But like I said, it is a lot worse since that test was done.

• 

  Uncomfortable seats for a small person - 2009 Toyota Tacoma
  By Ronnie - September 18 - 2:13 am

  The truck feels like a car, I like it but I unfortunately dont fit in the truck. I am having problems with the seats they are to low and hurt my back, head rest to high. The seats seem to be made for a large person, I am small. I am looking for cushions to raise myself up to a higher level so my back does not hurt and the head rest is not pushing me forward. This will be very sad if I can not find a way to get comfortable.

• 

  Disappointed - 2010 Toyota Matrix
  By Cindy - September 17 - 4:16 pm

  This is the first time I bought a new car and was disappointed: 1. Blind spots in front and back. 2. Poor radio. 3. Way too much road noise. 4. Uncomfortable ride (I can feel every little bump in the road). 5. Recall for safety reasons.

• 

  Should have bouth the Civic. - 2013 Toyota Corolla
  By justin82 - September 17 - 1:14 pm

  I was looking at the Civic LX and The Corolla LE. I ended up with the Corolla. The dealer I worked with gave me an ok deal on the car and my trade, but it was the 0% financing that sealed the deal. I will say that I am not impressed with this car at all. It was in the garage 2 different time before I had 500 miles on it. vvt-i gears, both of them. Now Im going to be making another appointment because Im getting a very hard shift from 1st to 2nd gear. I should have went with the Civic.

• 

  I hate the electric steering!! - 2009 Toyota Corolla
  By braymondg - September 16 - 8:53 pm

  I bought this as a second car for my wife because she wanted a reliable vehicle and opted for the Corolla. Now I wish I would have convinced her to buy a Civic. I just deplore the electric steering. No feel whatsoever! Highway passing is a venture in itself. I found myself adjusting in the lane because of a dead spot in the wheel. Reminded me of the old Chev truck my father drove back in the sixties. Terrible! Another thing is the ride. I hate it. All this is good for is going to the grocery store. Good thing its only a few blocks away.