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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  Pretty car but runs lousy.. - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By Driving me NUTZ - March 14 - 6:06 am

  I was so excited when I bought this car. My mom swears by her Toyota & I have always heard great things. This car has caused me nothing but worries. The transmission is horrible, it shifts/revs horribly at the wrong times, it putters when it hits 1 1/2 rpms while coasting unless you rev it or hit the breaks, if you try to start the car in really cold weather it makes a horrible grinding noise, the dash rattles ALL the time, when I try to accelerate getting on the freeway it doesnt move & scares me and when it does move it revs even after take your foot from the gas. I took the car in once for several of these issues & was told it was fixed & could not find other issue. Going back Monday!

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  This new truck is garbage - 2016 Toyota Tacoma
  By David A - March 7 - 9:57 am

  I have a 2016 TRD 4x4 off road, bought it with (7) miles on it about 2k it started shaking when driving on the highway I thought it was a balance issue, nope, its been 10k miles, replaced tires, replaced wheels, balance done 8 times.....the steering wheel shakes the whole truck shakes, everything in the truck shakes its comical, "not when its yours" anybody who goes for a ride mentions it, it feels like a salvage truck, the dealership tells me "oh its a truck" BS My last truck was a 2013 Tacoma it was totaled hit a center divide, the frame shifted, I fixed it that truck felt better then this "clean title" 25k update Transmission feels like it has sticky gears, down shifts are very hash, dealer did a ecu reset, which went back to same feeling in couple days Engine to me feels like it lost power, feels very sluggish Oil changes never gets above 5.5k Engine feels very outdated, my wife drives and tells me "this truck is hella slow, everybody passes me up" 36k miles now transmission feels to be getting worse, dealership is terrible does not acknowledge it, when I bring it in its like I did something wrong and get nasty attitudes from the service advisors. Brakes The rotors get warped way to fast, I already changed the front rotors and the second set is already terribly warped the truck even when driving in the city the brakes pump very noticeably and to top it off the the 2nd to 1st down shift pushes the whole truck forward with a bang, Im very very disappointed in this truck.

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  Acceleration Issues & Rattling Noises - 2004 Toyota Camry
  By Gabe Schick - March 7 - 1:40 am

  I read every review on this thread and it appears I am 1 of about 20 fellow 2004 Camry owners who have experienced similar, if not the same, issues with acceleration and/or rattling noises near the driver side firewall area. Its a shame, because prior to this Camry, which I purchased used from Carsense in 2014 w/76K miles on it, I was a devoted Toyota owner. Now my opinion of Toyota has changed. My advice to someone considering this model would be to move onto another option. Dont take your chances. And research EVERYTHING prior to signing the dotted line. Dont pass on the extended warranty either (even tough thats not a 100% guaranteed safety net either).

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  A Big Headache! - 2001 Toyota RAV4
  By SunGodess904 - March 5 - 10:00 am

  I purchased this car in August 2001. It has been in the shop 5 times for repairs. This is not quite what I have been accostomed to in new car purchases. Toyota needs to take a good look at the design of this auto. Fun to drive but certainly not worth the aggravation of scheduling recurring problems.

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  drive on freeway before you buy - 2002 Toyota RAV4
  By mandy - March 5 - 10:00 am

  I bought the RAV4 for reliability and comfort. I am an older female with a disablity. I have had this SUV for three months and wish I would not have bought it. It does not hold the road and vibrates the steering wheel at 65 mph. I am getting no help from the dealer..I am told it is because "I dont know how SUVs drive". Well, the car drifts all over the road...I thought a new vehicle should atleast hold the road. Beware before you buy.

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  Worst $2400 ever spent - 1998 Toyota Corolla
  By Jose - March 3 - 4:56 am

  Bought this car from auction. Test drove it on street, engine and trans ran smooth except heard thump and saw steering wheel wiggle, probably just a balled tire. Wrong! Or maybe not? Drove it on the highway next day and car shook violently. I thought it would fall apart. I got 3 different mechanics opinions and still thumping. Did an alignment, replaced 2 tires, replaced all 4 brakes, and replaced transmission for goodness sake! Spent $1072 in less than 3 weeks of buying car! Not to mention turn signal light in dash went out and steering wheel is disintegrating quickly. Paint and or plastic around inner door moldings disentegrating and lock for trunk fell sideways (dont ask!).

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  Bounce away - 2007 Toyota Tundra
  By Top P - March 2 - 11:03 pm

  After owning a Tacoma for 8 years I went out and bought a Tundra. The big boy. And boy have I have been disappointed. The ride in this truck is just AWFUL. My pregnant wife gets physically sick from the bouncing it does on the highways here in southern Cali. I am waiting for Toyota to address my complaint. I do not have the TRD package but I still bounce. Toyota knows about the problem but has yet to address it. Buyer beware! I only wish I knew a month ago. At the very least, test drive on the highways for a few miles before you decide.

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  Toyota run around - 2001 Toyota Highlander
  By highlander24 - March 2 - 6:28 pm

  I purchased a 2001 toyota highlander from toyota financial in september 2011. The highlander has 110000 miles on it and it has a lot of oil blowby near the PCV valve. I heard there was a sludge issue with these vehciles so I went to Libertyville Toyota and asked them to check it out. I told them i was adding a quart of oil every 500 miles and I said they should check the PCV area because I heard the sludge build up was in an unusual area of the engine. We removed the PCV plug and stuck a tube in the engne area and pulled out alot of sludge. dealer teck called and said NO Warrentee because the engine was clean. They did not check PCV area, they said I would need to pay $400 first.

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  SIenna after 3+ years - 2000 Toyota Sienna
  By jmflesch - February 26 - 2:00 am

  I bought the Sienna after two successive mediocreChrysler minivans. I wanted a reliable vehicle, and the Sienna has been a success in that area. Ergonomically, the Sienna is poor at best - not enough adjustment in the tilt wheel and power seat, radio in a poor location, controls on steering wheel in poor locations. The finish work on the leather armrest was poor, and the van continues to have many rattles unless full loaded. In fact, I think Ive just talked myself out of buying it out at the end of the lease.

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  always in the shop - 2006 Toyota Avalon
  By dale ruisch - February 23 - 2:53 pm

  It has been in the shop for the transmission, rattles in the roof, had to replace the radio, a loose fastener in the front fender. Too high an idle. Just not the car my old Avalon was.