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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  12th Toyota Ive owned and the last - 2012 Toyota Camry
  By serch95 - December 21 - 5:41 am

  I purchased this car brand new 15 months ago, and since then I have had the following issues: Flare in transmission when accelerating or pasing Seat covers replaced on all seats Major leak from passenger door Twice left with a car that wouldnt start Three trim panels replaced The flare is still not fixed and Toyota says it is normal, The leak in the door couldnt be fixed by Toyota and was told a 3rd party would need to look at it, had it fixed by a local mom and pop shop window loose in regulator. The two times without being able to start? Corrosion on the battery terminal. Toyota does not want to help out a loyal customer and afraid of what the water damage will now do.

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  The smallest SUV in America - 2003 Toyota RAV4
  By Eddie Newlson - December 17 - 2:00 am

  I like the styling, I hate the performance, I like the small size (easy to park in tight spots), I hate the little towing power. The interior feels very small after sitting in my fathers LX470

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  Looked great at first - 2000 Toyota MR2 Spyder
  By fredwirt - November 17 - 10:00 am

  Car sucks overall. Continuous breakdowns. Cheapo interior surprising since it is a Toyota. So far needed new a/c, antilock brakes failed, wiper motor died, cruise sticks on. In shop 9 times in first 8 months!

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  Transmission Failure at 8,253 Miles - Lemon! - 2017 Toyota Highlander
  By Jay - November 14 - 1:46 pm

  We purchased a new 2017 Highlander XLE after comparing it to several other vehicles in its class. Toyota touts quality and safety features as their biggest sales pitch, seems its there every time we turn on a tv. The transmission problem occurred at 8,253 miles, lucky for my wife, she was at a red light when the transmission failed and nobody was injured. The vehicle was hauled to local Toyota dealer on a flatbed & sat at the dealership for 52 days. We were told by dealer that a "new" transmission was back-ordered from California. After picking up the vehicle I noticed the workorder stated: "part number 30510-48600-84 REMAN ATM and CORE RETURN". Remanufactured parts should not be used to repair a brand new vehicle under factory warranty, which hasnt seen its first oil change. The day after picking it up I drove the vehicle and very excessive power train noise was present. Vehicle went back the the shop & they replaced both front wheel bearings at 8,392 miles and it sat in the shop another 3 days. Neither one of these repairs should occur on any new vehicle or a vehicle under 100,000 for that matter. Toyota Corporate has been less than helpful & were currently going through the lemon law process. Toyota has lost another long time customer, if I could rate the 2017 Highlander 0 stars I would.

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  Gas pedal buzzes/vibrates on acceleration through - 2016 Toyota Tacoma
  By Taco_Pat - October 10 - 5:32 am

  Gas pedal buzzes/vibrates on acceleration through most RPMS. During extended acceleration periods, vibration can cause numbness in the foot. Like others have said, it requires you to shift position, use cruise control, and shift gears to get out of the main vibration range. Toyota continues to receive complaints about this issue, but keeps denying that this is even a problem to begin with. I have never experienced this issue on any other car, no matter how old or beat up the vehicle was.

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  Will never buy a Toyota/Lexus product - 2000 Toyota Tacoma
  By Dissapointed - September 18 - 2:00 am

  I bought this truck believing that it was superior to all others on the market, man was I ever wrong. My Toyota ownership has been nothing short of a nightmare! I have had a rattling dashboard, squeaking clutch pedal, leaking transmission--enough to have the truck in the shop over 16 documented times. Have been through two arbitrations with Toyota. Buy something else with Your hard earned money.

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  Transmission Problems - 2016 Toyota Tacoma
  By Jefferson - September 13 - 1:09 pm

  Purchased in Jan. 2016. After a few weeks I noticed a lag/hesitation when I would try to accelerate, followed by erratic transmission shifting. I thought it was part of the breaking in process. The problem got worse. I called Toyota Corp. and they opened a case file. A few days later they called and said no recall had been issued on the vehicle so they would take no corrective action. I had the dealer do several software updates in hopes this would remedy the problems. All efforts were met with negative results. My Tacoma was driving so badly I was concerned I could potentially become involved in a traffic crash so it set parked. On April 1, 2017, I traded in my Tacoma for a 2016 4Runner which runs 100% better than the 35 thousand dollar piece of junk truck that Toyota sold me. Very Disappointing.

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  WORST CAR EVER - 2008 Toyota Camry
  By Alan Thiede - September 2 - 9:29 pm

  THIS IS THE WORST CAR I HAVE EVER OWNED. LAST TOYOTA.

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  spinebuster start stop - 2017 Toyota Highlander
  By JC - August 24 - 10:28 am

  OK so im in the market for an suv with 6-7 seat i saw that the new highlander came out and decided to test drive, this is by the worst car i have test drove. Let me start off when i left the lot to the main street i tried to punch it because it was and entrance to a highway and the car hesitate so bad its like it doesnt have the power my foot demand and it gets stuck in gear for long period of time it is as bad as the first version of nissan cvt transmission, from 1st to 2nd gear the car went to 3500 rpm and was there for a good 4 sec untill it finally changed to second this was the same thing from second to third and it shifted hard as if the transmission was slipping or something. As you doing a rolling stop and try to step on the gas there is a bad delay for the car to respond , its confused on what gear to go into and so one time it went to a higher gear and almost stalled. this is as bad as the hyundai santa fe issues if not worse, another thing i hated was the start and stop i know its new technology yea it saves fuel but its going to be harder on the engine and starter, but for toyota i give them an F for this system because as soon as you step off the gas it jerk the living **** out of you, i thought someone hit us or something and the dealer guy was like thats the new system i just drove back and left cause that car it just horrible. Some of you may think i dont know what im talking about but im a drag racer and only feel a car jerk like that either when some one hits you or when i gas it on my race car for a car like this highlander just to jerk you every time at light it bad eventually the jerking will ause the car to crack something in the unibody i know you can shut it off but still what the purpose of having it if does this. also to add to the car hesitation for a car with 295 it seems very weak the sorento has 280hp and its plenty powerful, even my dad old towncar is more powerful and it only has around 200hp and weighs 4000lbs. so please people think again if you want to buy these new highlander give them a through test drive and youll see what im talking about

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  Death Mobile! - 2009 Toyota Yaris
  By Teenage Driver - July 28 - 6:30 am

  Hi this is my second review the Title I used before this one is "I like mine". Since my last review I have experienced an episode of Unintended acceleration. After school was out I started my car my car was in neutral since its a standard when my engine revved up like I was pressing the gas pedal So I turn it off & start it again & its normal again so as I was heading home I was using the cruise control when out of no where it started accelerating so I pushed the brakes because usually it deactivates the cruise but this time it didnt. It got up 2 the speed of 95 MPH when I shift it to neutral I was able to stop but the engine kept revving. Stay away from toyota yariss they are defective as well.