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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  The car I need - Not want - 2011 Toyota Corolla
  By papertrumpet - December 16 - 8:23 am

  Having driven a 2000 Solara for 11 years, I got this 2011 Corolla S in October 2011. I went cheap and got what I paid for. While the S is the best looking Corolla for 11 it lives up completely to the reviews of underpowered, uninspiring, unimpressive road experience. It might be solid and reliable, but I yawn all the way to work and back.

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  money - 1997 Toyota Camry
  By tanesha brandon - December 15 - 2:00 pm

  i want to know if i payed to much money

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  Burns Oil - 2002 Toyota Corolla
  By bst - December 13 - 5:40 pm

  This was my second Corolla and I was quite disappointed with this. My 1988 was great, had it for 243,000 miles, very few problems apart from just taking care of an older car. This one was a different story. First, made a mistake by getting the CE, things like the backseat not folding down made this a car that was of little use for things like biking, hauling, etc. But mostly, around mileage 30,000 the car has been burning oil quickly, requiring 2-3 qts of oil to be put in on any long road trip, sometimes more than once. Now, the engine has sludge in it that is not covered by the extended warranty, making this car a lemon while still under warranty. Disappointed in the car and company.

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  Disposable Vehicle - 2001 Toyota Prius
  By Mary Mendence - December 9 - 2:10 am

  I have not had good experience with this vehicle. I had intial problems with this vehicle that were minor but irritating. It took two years for a service tech to figure them out. I had the inverter replaced at 92K miles. It was covered undered warranty but I was quoted 7K for the repair had I have to do it myself. At 122K miles I had the main computer replaced at $1,250 and it is in the shop now for a trans axle and another inverter replacement. Total repair costs are $12,000 and I was advised to junk the car. I was also told that it had $0 trade-in value and now I have no car and nothing to sell. What I think happend is that something was wrong and further research indicated motor windings and thats what burned out parts. What they did was replace the burned out parts without fixing the real problem. Now they tell me to junk the car because it is out of warranty. I dont believe in Toyota.

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  09 tacoma - 2009 Toyota Tacoma
  By ron191 - November 24 - 3:28 pm

  I have had my 09 Tacoma for almost 2 years. I will soon be ordering radio number 4 due to defects. The first two radios were plagued by volume control knobs that became unresponsive. My current radio went completely haywire with all the buttons doing the exact opposite of what they are suppose to do. Numerous squeaks and rattles in the dash and headliner have become extremely annoying. Gas mileage is not that great for a 4 cyl. In the summer, I average about 20mpg, in the winter, I average about 18 mpg. My clutch also creaks loudly, more so in the summer. I do like some of the standard features with this truck (vsc, numerous airbags, etc.

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  Thought I was Buying Quality - 2004 Toyota Camry Solara
  By NrTsT - November 23 - 2:00 am

  I bought a Toyota after only owning Hondas figuring they would be about the same in quality. I was wrong. Since buying this car in December of 03 I have experienced many small problems.First the rear speaker deck rattles at the slightest hint of bass (music or or talk radio).Second the car has small rattlings throughout the cabin.Third the manual transmision is loud, notchy and at times very hard to shift.Fourth the AC fan has a highpitched chirping sound comming from it which means another trip to the horrible dealer to complain. Finally the dealer has been no help in resolving any of the above mentioned issues. Will not buy Toyota again:)

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  First and last Toyota - 2010 Toyota Camry
  By miguel - November 20 - 6:56 am

  I have to start by saying it looks good and is comfortable to drive, that is where my praise ends. I now have 3000 miles on it and find myself loaded with regret. Nowhere in the manual or brochure is there a mention of what the service manager called clutch braking. That is the extremely annoying downshifting you do in town traffic. I really hate that I did not notice it on the short test drive. I am guessing that is why my mileage is bad, most recent was 20 on the hiway. Best was 28 on a flat road in Kansas, tires at 35 psi and 60 mph. Best average is 22, and I drive very conservatively. I bought it to gain better mileage, if you have similar desires, look elsewhere.

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  Tundra is a Big Pass - 2006 Toyota Tundra
  By J Jackson - November 15 - 6:33 am

  This is a truck is a pass. It cant tow very much, "like a truck should" I would say no more then 8000 lbs. I tried to push this truck past 9000lb and It felt very slugish, and like it really needed a break. The F 150 on the othere hand I test drived was by far the best i ve seen yet. It can tow anything almost, and it has plenty of room, and a great look to it as well. The MPG was the best part about it. Also the look of it is terible and the insides too. Very low qulity!

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  New Prius not as good as old one - 2004 Toyota Prius
  By P Michaels - November 13 - 1:33 pm

  This is my second Prius. I purchased my first in 2000 and loved it. The new model has been a major disappointment. My major complaint is with the quality of the car. I have had numerous problems with navigation system and overall fit and finish of the car. Noises coming from dashboard and hatchback that dealer cannot find or fix. Hatchback sounds like old pickup truck going over bumps. Suspension stiff and noisy. Acceleration is overrated compared to auto reviews. Mileage not as good for my driving conditions because larger engine requires more time to warm up. At times engine violently shakes car when going off. Experience confirms Fall 2004 WSJ story on slip in Toyota quality.

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  Over-rated - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By Tom - November 10 - 2:13 am

  We went with Toyota due to its history as a great car. Went with the SE w/V6 for performance. We had it in the shop the first week we got it. Had to take it back 3 times before they replaced the rear shocks and the noise did go away. However, we have developed a cabin noise in the front. All and all, Im not sure Toyota is what it was. The fit and finish in the cabin is not the level of quality I expected. We have had the car a year, and I think you should shop around before you buy, because Toyota is over-rated.