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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  Sadly disappointed with 2010 Matrix S AWD - 2010 Toyota Matrix
  By sbuck2010 - August 19 - 7:57 am

  Pros: Cute, fun to drive, cool interior controls. Rear bumper can take an impact without breaking. Cons: Terrible. 14 city/ 23 hwy. Ive been told to wait until I hit 20,000 miles for it to break in by the toyota dealership. Not okay with me. The car rattles like crazy the second I go above 55mph. The radio volume is no longer speed sensitive. It stopped after about 6 months. Isnt starting properly - I have to hold key for about 5 seconds before it kicks on, otherwise it dies. Just started yesterday. Cloth seats got stained the first day because a bottle of water spilled... no joke. The seats absorb everything. Back seatbelts are made for children. No adult is comfortable.

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  Not Impressed with Imports - 2004 Toyota Corolla
  By Qzardesigner - August 14 - 6:30 pm

  Owned domestic cars for 20 yrs. Bought this to test the Import waters. I am disappointed. The driver side floor mat is worn, and Toyota will not replace under warranty (Dealer replaced it as a courtesy). The lug bolts break off at the recommended torque, again not replaced under warranty (Dealer again replaced as a courtesy). The carpet in the rear seats is worn from the floor mats rubbing against it. Highway gas mileage is supposed to be 40, I get somewhere between 33 and 38. The paint on the hood is chipped from bugs hitting it. Lousy handling. If this is what you get with an import, forget it. I have problems with domestic cars, but at least I am not paying a premium for the vehicle.

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  Starting Issue - 2010 Toyota RAV4
  By caboz - August 11 - 3:53 am

  4 times in the last 2 years the vehicle would not start because the brake pedal was locked and not moveable.

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  Passenger Door & Sliding Door Problems - 2002 Toyota Sienna
  By homemakerdad - August 8 - 7:03 am

  Passenger side door not responsive to remote or automatic features. The right sliding door just completely jammed yesterday. Earlier this year, the right side sliding door just closed on its own and trapped a passengers finger. Earlier this month, had at least a couple of friends ask us what mini-van they purchase and we recommended the Sienna. Now I really regret making that recommendation after having these door problems and finding out this has been a common problem with this model.

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  Blown Head Gasket! Not a happy camper! - 1995 Toyota 4Runner
  By rmshively - August 5 - 1:24 am

  Bought our very first 1995 4Runner v6 manual. I had always wanted one but had NO IDEA about the head gasket problems. I had a feeling not to buy it but I didnt and now I wish I hadnt. I mean I love this car but I wish it had more horse power, and with 150 hp its not nearly powerfull enough for a v6. Its extremely slow going up hills and it sucks down the gas at incredible rates. I really dont think this thing could pull anything and get up a hill properly. So last week it didnt pass smog and to our horror it was a blown head gasket. We bought it at 174,000 miles and its at 209,900 right now. Going to get another better, more powerful vehicle. The engine is shot now. Crappy engine!!

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  Not enough comfort - 2009 Toyota RAV4
  By Danny D - August 3 - 11:53 am

  I bought my rav 4 2009 base 4x4 because of the toyota quality so far it has quality but it is stiff and my honda civic is more comfortable than the brand new rav 4. I drove it in the snow and it was okay. I am happy with the vehicle but it doesnt drive as I expected.

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  Beauty in the eyes of the beholder - 1999 Toyota Corolla
  By kenwid1988 - August 2 - 6:29 am

  I bought my 1999 Corolla VE out of desperation. Needed something to replace my 1993 Accord with almost 300K miles (no kidding). I wish I would have taken my time, because Im not loco for this car. It is too basic. I bought it in Nov. 2007 with 76K miles for $9K! I felt it was too much, but OMG it was a Toyota. Quality this, quality that. Yeah, this car can take a beating, and still run its little sluggish heart. But it is ugly in the back LOL! It looks mad as hell in the back with its squinting eye taillight design LOL! Its probably mad that it cant perform worth words I cannot say at church. If ANYTHING, get an LE model and not the VE, at least you can have power everything. VERY LEAST!

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  Defective Battery and Charging System - 2007 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
  By John Nelson - July 29 - 11:40 am

  In December, 2009, I entered the vehicle one morning and it would not start, the battery was dead. I called Auto Club, and they jump started the vehicle. 4 months later, the same thing happened, and I attempted to jump start it myself, having purchased a set of cables in the interim. I was unsuccessful, and called for a tow. The vehicle could not be jump started, and was towed to a Toyota dealer. I had purchased an extended warranty, and asked that any repairs be covered under it. I was told that I had damaged a special fuse, and my actions had rendered the warranty invalid. The battery system is defective. Several other reviews describe the same problem.

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  Nice car but got a lemon - 2008 Toyota FJ Cruiser
  By Nelson - July 28 - 10:00 am

  Great looking car inside and out, rides like a sedan, but I got a lemon, 2 weeks after purchase the transfer case had to be replaced, the past 4 months the transmission slips in gears 1 through 3, and the engine stalls while driving less than 5 mph, note its an automatic transmission. Its been in the shop 3 times for the stalling and the transmission, Toyota claims they cant find the problem, looks like I have to consult the lemon law.

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  Dangerous car when windy! - 2004 Toyota Corolla
  By Barry - July 28 - 10:00 am

  We bought the car new and we sold it after 1 year, it was too dangerous on windy days! The car change lane when strong wind! The car is noisy and it cracks in cold temperature (my camry does the same). No mechanical problems. Good mileage. My wife was afraid to drive it in strong winds because the car moves on the road (Toyota knows about it and recommend to install spoilers like the S model at $2,200!