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:

• 

  Give me back a Honda - 2003 Toyota Matrix
  By Mikeloran - February 21 - 2:00 am

  Hate not being able to control the lights. The other day the lights switched between running lights and regular lights 8 times on the way to work as I went in and out od the shade.

• 

  Not a great SUV as first thought - 2007 Toyota RAV4
  By nitkad - February 20 - 5:36 am

  Frankly, I got fooled by my purchase. I realised after the purchase that I have bought a low end SUV even though it costs more. I used to own a camry and I thought that as Rav4 is little expensive it will be better comfort wise. But that is not true. It feels like you are driving Corolla. No power (4 cyl). Lot of external noise. Lot of shocks. So, basically it is not a smooth as Camry. I got a factory installed remote start which stinks. My problem might be that I was thinking it will be similar or better than Camry but it is absolutely not the case.

• 

  Poor gas mileage - 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
  By Dave Trupp - February 19 - 9:46 pm

  I was told to expect high MPG in this hybrid. I cant get over 19 in city or highway. Toyota (corporate) states this is normal. You dont buy a hybrid for better gas mileage. You buy one for the fact that is has fewer emissions. It might get better after 5000 miles. Save your money buy a regular old gas powered highlander. We owned a 2003 highlander before and got better MPG with it. we averaged 25-26 in that one. Toyota says it cant do anything unless a check light comes on. They do admit that 19 is too low for this vehicle. The only thing they say though is "Sorry"

• 

  2014 RAV 4-XLE-FWD Gas Milage Terrible! - 2014 Toyota RAV4
  By terryljam3 - February 15 - 6:56 pm

  I purchased a new RAV 4 in April of this year. My 2014 RAV 4 was the XLE with front wheel drive only which was rated for 24 city and 31 hwy mpg. I have over 5000 miles on it and have taken multiple highway trips and driven it to work locally each day. No mater what driving condition, I have only achieved 24 mpg. I tried different gas octanes and no difference. My Mazdas always achieved there rated mileage so the idea of my driving habits have nothing to do with it. This car is a lemon and the dealer will not even talk to me about it. I cannot promote this car that does not do what it was advertised to do.

• 

  not what they used t o be - 2003 Toyota Tacoma
  By extoyota lover - February 15 - 10:00 am

  Bought this in late 2002. At 500 miles the motor started to knock/thud under light loads. One dealer said they thought the noise was injector related; imagine that knocking injectors. Another dealer, after telling me diagnosis may cost me said "we hear it but dont know what it is, these 2.7L engines are typically noisy, must be normal" They wrote it up as "no correctable condition found" sort of an oxymoron. So if you dont know what it is, how do you know it is not correctable. I have found a site at Automotive Forums.com where other have the same issue.

• 

  Good - 2009 Toyota Corolla
  By Jason Rodriguez - February 12 - 12:47 pm

  So far ok. The car makes a bad noise every time I turn it on. The oil consumption is also bad I have to constantly check the oil it run out before I have to do the change. I had to change the water pump and the alternator in this car. Plus Toyota had to cut the gas pedal it was getting stuck with the rug. In the other hand I have the car for 7 years it have 140,000 miles I have gone all over the US with my car and this are the only things that have happen.

• 

  5 speed shot after only 73,000 miles! - 1999 Toyota RAV4
  By NJmike1234 - February 10 - 10:00 am

  Well just as the 70,000 mile warrenty ran out so did the 5 speed on the car. Dealer no help-3,300 for new trans- local repair shop fixed it for 900.00 Do Not get the 5 speed

• 

  Poor MPG - 2011 Toyota RAV4
  By ocal - February 7 - 8:13 am

  Biggest problem is poor MPG. Bought becuase of the published MPG range. Actual MPG is consistently on the low end. We live in flat Florida. Most driving is rural and occassional light city traffic. 3rd row seet is soo cramped my 6 & 9 year-olds have to sit sideways, if any-one is sitting in 2nd row. Took to dealership (Deluca) to have MPG checked. Service lady treated us like were idiots and later lied to us about how they checked to see if there was any issue (told us a mechanic drove it of 30 minutes continuously at 35mph and MPG was 28MPG). Impossible test. Wish we had bought the Durango or the CRV. Will trade this off soon! (Previoulsly loved our Corolla!)

• 

  Death by sludge - 2005 Toyota Sienna
  By Tom - February 5 - 3:56 pm

  Great comfort, decent performance are the strengths here. Fuel Economy is lacking. It is no better than a Durango with a v8 Hemi. Despite faithful 3k mile oil changes (every 5k when switched to synthetic at 30k) sludge managed to best our engine. Despite showing all maintenance receipts for 5 year history. Toyota insists it was our lack of maintenance that caused the sludge and refuses to honor the warranty. Never again will we buy Toyota.

• 

  Resale value sells cars - 2003 Toyota Tacoma
  By Troy2 - February 4 - 10:00 am

  We looked at the Subaru Baja and Nissan Frontier as well as the Ford Explorer Sport Trac. At initial impression of ride and interior, we both liked the Ford and Subaru better, but chose the Toyota because of its historically high resale value. Interior cloth that does not seem as durable or nice as our 1998 model. Both were SR5 models, Im assuming it was some cost cutting by Toyota.