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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  Consider your options.... - 2002 Toyota Tacoma
  By Kalhoun - April 22 - 10:00 am

  First off, the truck was delivered dirty and damaged. The salesman tried to clean the upholstry with paint cleaner. That ruined the drivers side seat. The area where the top of the cab connects with the side at the passenger window was not ground down and the weld joints are exceptionally noticable. The AC and heat "whistle" on the top two speed settings (unless set to highest or lowest settings). I wouldnt purchase another Tacoma.

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  My experience - 2002 Toyota Camry Solara
  By Steve I. - April 20 - 11:56 am

  I leased a 2000 Solara and the transmission died in 2 years. It the took the dealer almost a month to locate a replacement transmission. I would not deal with this car again. I cant wait until my lease is up to dump this car.

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  2014 camry LE - 2014 Toyota Camry
  By richard - April 17 - 6:00 pm

  Not near the same car as my old Camry. Had a 2002 LE that was the best car I have ever owned. My wife and I joke that the Corolla became the Camry and the Tercel became the Corolla. The quality isnt that great, noisier, less visibility. And the topper is that the gas mileage works out to little better than my 2002 V6 was getting after 14 years and 240,000 miles!

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  Good car, but no Honda Pilot. - 2017 Toyota Highlander
  By B Tappan - April 14 - 8:18 am

  I own both a 2017 Highlander and a 2017 Honda Pilot. The Highlander is more comfortable to drive, and I like the physical stereo controls better than the laggy touch screen in the Pilot, but the Pilot is better in nearly every other way. The Pilot is cheaper when similarly equipped, has far more interior space, and is much more flexible on where child safety seats fit, having more latch points available in the 2nd and 3rd row. The pilot also gets better fuel economy.

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  2012 Camry LE Problem/Issue. - 2012 Toyota Camry
  By rikki90 - April 14 - 1:14 am

  Im driving on a city road with 200 miles on the car. All of a sudden the check engine light comes on. And im like wtf. Then the traction control light comes on and i move to the right. A few seconds later the gas pedal becomes unresponsive sometimes giving acceleration sometimes not. Then the check oil light comes on. Keep in mind the other lights are still on. Once the oil light comes on i pull off to a side road and just as i do the car stops running. Dead silent. I turn the car off. Pop the hood and Check the oil dipstick and it reads full. All lights are off but check engine still on. I decide to drive it to the dealer. 3 days later, still no response from dealer.

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  Defective 2005 Sequoia - 2005 Toyota Sequoia
  By Tony - April 10 - 8:26 pm

  Very upset with the purchase of this Sequoia. I drove it off the lot and start to have problems with the power steering fluids. I first I thought it was the dealer not doing their job but apparently I had a defective power steering pump. The car didnt even have 200 miles and it was giving me problems. I would definitely hold off on purchasing the 2005 maybe Toyota will make some recalls.

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  Shop around before buying a Tundra - 2018 Toyota Tundra
  By James S - April 7 - 12:33 pm

  I have a 2018 Tundra Limited. The Limited is an SR5 with few upgrades, not really a step up. Slipped on the running boards when they were wet, oh that hurt. Toyota does not tell the consumer that the new technology needs to be updated by the dealer, but no warning as to when the update is needed. Navigation sucks, have to use a Garmin which is much more accurate. All trucks have a handle to assist getting into the drivers side of the truck except Tundra. I have owned 12 new Toyota vehicles, I will shop around before I buy another Tundra. The 2018 Tundra Limited is not equal to my 2007 Tundra Limited Tundra Limited. took the truck to the dealer several times, the cannot get the navigation or blue tooth to work better than marginal. SHOP AROUND BEFORE PURCHASING.

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  Disappointing - 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
  By cford - April 7 - 5:03 am

  Not early the expected fuel mileage. Under 27 mpg local driving, above rating (about 30) on distant driving. My driving style with GM vehicles shows that I always got better mileage than shown on the window sticker. The Highlander is below suggested on the local driving. Body squeaks are annoying. Tilt steering wheel is limited in adjustments. Switches such as windshield wiper and lights are awkward. Do not have a level cargo space when sheet backs are folded.

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  2014 prius 2 - 2014 Toyota Prius
  By 1bravo2 - April 5 - 6:15 pm

  After reading the reviews and inquiring with my coworkers that owned a prius, and assuring me that they get the 50mpg, I decided to buy one for myself and one for my daughter. Even the salesman told me that you drive it like a regular car. Well six months later, I now believe that i was lied to or the car was overrated on the ease of getting 50mpg. The reality is the car computer calculates 3mpg over of what I actually get, by miles driven verses fuel used. If you drive it normal you get low 40s. To get to the 50s you need to coast or try to keep it in electric mode as much as possible while everybody else is passing you. You stay busy and it is a head ache to drive it to get the miles.

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  Bad Steering - 2009 Toyota Corolla
  By flyointment - April 4 - 10:43 am

  Just bought an ‘09 Corolla. Immediately noticed wandering steering on the highway at greater than 60 mph. I heard that in some cases increasing tire pressure helps problem. Found out dealer had 40psi in tires when 30 is appropriate. I reduced to 30psi and it wanders more. Some people don’t have problems with it, but some cars are coming off the line with this problem. Have to have 2 hands on the wheel. If you take one hand off the wheel to adjust the radio (particularly if in winds greater than 15 mph) you may find yourself going out of your lane. I scheduled an appointment with the dealer who claimed to know nothing of the issue. It’s all over the internet and NTSB (25 complaints).