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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  Cant Get Any Better! - 2006 Toyota 4Runner
  By cbchapman88 - August 26 - 8:23 pm

  I bought my 2006 4-Runner new in 2006, it is 2013 now and it has 121,000 miles. I could not bare to trade in my 4-Runner before it hit the 100,000 mile mark. It has been a spectacular vehicle in every way! 121K miles and not a single mechanical issue. I have done regular maintenance and used premium gasoline the entire 7 years that I have had it, and not a SINGLE mechanical issue. I have made several trips half-way across the country, including two moves, and it never let me down. Seven years later, and it still cleans up like a brand new car and still drives like one too. I am planning on keeping this vehicle for another 100K miles, then I will surely buy another 4-Runner.

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  Does everything I want well! - 2018 Toyota 4Runner
  By Kjtaylor15 - August 26 - 7:02 pm

  This is a true SUV. Ready to rumble off-road, well mannered onroad: it has a good balance of performance characteristics. The KDSS keeps it flat and stable onroad, while giving super off-road suspension travel. The engine is strong enough without being loud. Adding cold air intake and high flow exhaust for a possible extra 5-10% power. (Any more would be superfluous.) loads of room, great visibility, seating comfort, access to controls. Lacking only a larger nav/ent screen, BLIS, and adaptive cruise. But, with the way it is outfitted and how I am using it, I don’t miss those items at all.

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  Ignorant Navigation! - 2005 Toyota Camry
  By Vicki Nails - August 26 - 10:16 am

  I purchased an XLE 4 door Toyota with a navigation system which only came in a package consisting of heated seats and side air bags. The heated seats stay on for 5 minutes at a time and then shut off and come on again. The navigation system isnt programmed for many local streets and often suggests turning left when you need to turn right on interstate highways. I regret spending the additional money on this option. The heated seats should stay on at the drivers discretion. There is unacceptable road noise level. Long trips are not pleasant. I regret buying this car, and I cant wait to sell it and purchase another car. It wont be a Toyota!

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  I Walked Away from This Thing - Fast - 2016 Toyota Tacoma
  By MRamirez - August 26 - 9:47 am

  I’ve owned several Tacoma trucks, including my current 2010, which I love. I discovered the new 2016 during a dealer for service department. I wasn’t too interested in upgrading before, but I took a very quick test drive and thought I was sold. I liked the interior and exterior re-design. So I ordered a Limited and waited several months for it. But I began doing my homework and reading reviews, which raised a few flags. Regardless, the truck came in at the end of January and I was excited. I asked the dealer to let me take it on an extended test drive before I took delivery. I had it for over an hour on city and highway speeds. That test drive changed everything and confirmed many of the reviews. The engine was very under-powered. It worked too hard on the highway, the transmission shifting was awful, and the engine was very coarse and loud. The brakes pulsated, like the ABS was engaging, with normal light braking. And there was this strong, high-frequency buzz that transmitted through the steering wheel, pedals, and seats at highway speeds and certain acceleration points on side roads. I could even hear the buzzing vibration rattle the interior components. That was the killer for me. I thought perhaps these were isolated problems on that truck. So the dealership let me take another Limited out for a spin. Same problems on that one! The dealership’s explanation? “Sounds like they all do it, so it must be a normal. Plus, we’re selling them like hotcakes so it must not bother everyone.” Very well, but they bother me. I walked away from the deal and got my deposit back. I was very disappointed but glad I didn’t spend the $38K on that. My 2010’s engine is more refined and owns the highway with its power. No issues with shifting, excessive engine noise, or uncomfortable vibrations. I will hang on to my 2010 for another year or so and hope Toyota gets it right in a few years.

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  Heater Woes - 2005 Toyota Highlander
  By jojodamonkeyboy - August 26 - 9:40 am

  Temperature control stopped working. I contacted parts department at local dealership. Knob was okay but told unit was faulty and would cost $825 to replace (not including dealer costs). Found a website that discussed same problem with Highlanders and Tacomas. Friend & I removed heater/air- conditioner unit. There are three welds for temperature on left side and system control on right. Two of the three welds on the temp gauge had broken. Rest of unit is made up of electronics and circuit boards. My friend has worked on RC vehicles and was able to take care of re-welding parts. Now works almost good as new & I saved lots of bucks. Im not happy that Toyota hasnt ided problem

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  review of camry xle - 2005 Toyota Camry
  By bill - August 26 - 7:00 am

  smooth and quiet ride, many nice features, good milage, driver seat back a little to firm, car came with steering wheel off center, right side doors misaligned just enough to be noticed.

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  Exotic car and an Average price. - 2002 Toyota MR2 Spyder
  By Peter Sidiropoulos - August 26 - 2:00 am

  Excellent car. Handles EXTREMLY WELL... power is alittle lacking, but with a few aftermarket Turbo kits to pick from. This car can get EXTREMLY POWERFUL. Nice ride, the BEST TOY i ever purchased for my self. Exotic looks, and just an overall great car.

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  OK Car - 2002 Toyota Echo
  By ARK - August 26 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car mainly for its comfortable seating and of course for Toyota reliability. I like this car over all. But I am not very happy for the following reasons: Its low speed braking is good but at high speeds (say above 50 mph) its braking is very poor and I am much concerned to drive on highways. Especially for applying sudden brake. I never got gas mileage more than 33 mpg on highways. In the city I usually get about 28 mpg. So I am disappointed with its gas mileage.

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  best truck i ever had - 2002 Toyota Tundra
  By buddymcg - August 26 - 2:00 am

  i used to have a ford f-150 extended cab and my tundra runs great compared to it. its quiet very good on gas milage dependable so far. granted ive only had it a few months its also a smoth comfterable ride thanks.

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  Toyotas Fly - 2001 Toyota Tacoma
  By heavy weight - August 26 - 2:00 am

  This was actually my dads truck. He was in a serious accident, he flew about 100 yards off a canyon.He cleared oak trees. (to tell how high in the air he was) The truck was totalled beyond repair but the inside of the cab was undamaged. If he had been in any other kind of truck he would be dead!