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:

• 

  Inferior material - 2011 Toyota Venza
  By normone - December 29 - 3:48 pm

  Toyota it would seem uses some below standards materials when it comes to carpeting. My Venza has developed a hole in the floor carpet located on the drivers side. With only 32,000 miles and the purchase of the extended warrantee all the Dealer and Toyota states that it is a wear item. I am hoping that the rest of the vehicle holds up better.

• 

  Will Never Buy A Toyota Again - 2002 Toyota RAV4
  By ToyotaNeverAgain - December 28 - 9:36 am

  Car handles great in snow, rain. It is SEVERELY underpowered and I had to replace the catalytic converter at 62,000K ($2200). Transmission started slipping shortly after at 74,000K (new ECU, $2800). My average mileage is 20.8, so no sipper at all. Now at 100K the transmission is starting to act up again so its going out the door before it becomes my issue. Will never buy a Toyota again.

• 

  Toyota moving Backwards - 2010 Toyota Camry
  By mespinosa1988 - December 26 - 8:44 am

  After purchasing the car with 39000 miles two weeks later my wire harness in the transmission went out. Took it to the dealer and they didnt cover it under the power train warranty even though they had to pull my whole tranny. That was a 900 dollar repair. After getting it back my transmission feels sluggish, it accerates and deccerates at the wrong times, Overall the Tranny sucks on this vehicle everything else is nice about the car. But i hate that its such a beautiful car except for the tranny and I wonder how much longer its going to last me :( Sad to say for a 2010 toyota camry.

• 

  Reliability went down fast - 1999 Toyota Camry
  By x2dmax - December 26 - 2:26 am

  For the first 4 years of ownership the Camry seemed to hold up well. On the fifth year, things started to fall apart. The rubberized door handle started to separate from the door switch module. Then the radio went out. Then the car started to smoke when starting up in the morning. This was probably due to the slug problem. The oil was changed regularly at 4000 too. Then the metal clip on the gas door broke, keeping the door from opening. Finally the clearcoat on the hood started to chip off. This after doing regular washing and waxing. What did hold up well was the material on the seats and the had no rattles. But that wasnt enough to keep it for another year.

• 

  The good the bad and the ulgy - 2011 Toyota Tundra
  By Knute Strander - December 21 - 10:00 am

  The good: comfortable ride very quiet no rattles the bad: too much black in interior too much front end rake. I have to drive with bright lights on because front end is too low. I will have to install leveling kit. Other manufactures have trucks are level. Get with it Toyota. The ugly: 4.6L 17 mpg on hwy. @ 70 mph

• 

  Navigation deliberately crippled - 2017 Toyota Highlander
  By captpayne - December 20 - 8:41 pm

  Know that you will still need to have your garmin on your dash. Many of the Navigation systems features wont work unless you STOP THE VEHICLE. I WOULD NOT HAVE PURCHASED IF I HAD KNOWN THIS. BEWARE. Also, the engine turns off at stop lights. This feature must be disabled EVERY TIME YOU START THE CAR. IT CANNOT BE PERMANENTLY DISABLED. THIS VEHICLE HAS TOO MANY NANNY FEATURES THAT CANNOT BE TURNED OFF. Update, 8-7-2017 The vehicle is now 4 months old. The radio/navigation system died today, 6 days before we are to drive the car to Florida for a vacation we have planned all year. The dealership says the entire radio and nav display must be replaced and the parts wont be available for 3 weeks. They gave me a national number for Toyota. They said to go to different Toyota dealerships to see if the parts are available there. They said the dealerships dont share parts. I bought the platinum service agreement and a 6 year prepaid maintenance plan; all apparently worthless. I deeply regret buying a Toyota. It is a mistake I will never make again. I will trade in this garbage as soon as I am financially able to do so.

• 

  Could be better. - 2006 Toyota Matrix
  By CJ - December 20 - 6:20 am

  Had a 93 Corolla. Decided to buy a Matrix based on experience w/ Toyota. This is a typical Toyota, very well built, drives fine. Driver legroom is not good, Im 6-0. Right leg has very little room between the dash and center console. Drivers seat is very uncomfortable. I seem to fall to the right side in it. Hope it just needs breaking in but fear otherwise. Odometer/trip meter cycles with small button behind wheel that you cant push while driving. Cant see both trip/odo @ same time. I like to always see the odo. Air controls badly placed behind shifter. Cargo cover chintzy. Forced to buy cargo pad as none standard, cargo will shift w/out one. Based on legroom & seat comfort may not keep car very long.

• 

  Basic Meh! Transportation - 1996 Toyota Corolla
  By Mon Bazou - December 18 - 8:46 pm

  A great but noisy commuting car with no style, requiring rustproofing and following a maintenance schedule to ensure its advertised reliability, particularly in snowy and salty climates. Mine came with a 1.6 liter engine and 3-speed slushy automatic with lockup that engages only at 48 mph. Merging onto highways a major challenge. Engine dies with a full load of friends going up steep hills and struggles when passing on the highway. Fuel economy is disappointing due to lack of gear ratios and overdrive. At more than 60 mph the engine runs hard and quickly eats up gas. Most efficient running at 50 to 55 mph. The aging shocks (especially rear shocks) were nice and soft before they broke.

• 

  LEMON DUE TO MANUFAC. PLANT? - 1999 Toyota Camry Solara
  By LAN - December 17 - 2:00 am

  PURCHASED USED(12500); TOYOTA CERTIFIED;.fIRST, FRONT END NOISE;FIXED ONE YEAR LATER.NEXT ENGINE LIGHT ON WITHIN 3 MONTHS; SOLENOID? OR TRANSMISSION?.TRANSMISSION OIL DIRTY/BURNT EARLY ON;PROBLEMS 55000;INTERIOR WOOD GRAIN FADES; DEFROSTER HARD FOR ME TO OPERATE; LIGHTS AND DOOR LOCKS COMING ON NOW...ALWAYS SOMEIN..LEMON?

• 

  leaks & rattles - 2003 Toyota Matrix
  By b.mclearen - December 16 - 10:00 am

  Very versatile car but has lots of rattles in dash and drivers door. The cooling system adeveloped a leak early on. Not typical Toyota quality. Also, is not a "full-Time" 4 wheel drive as advertised by Toyota. Works like the CRV. Front drive until slippage is detected and then up to 50% of the power is transferred to the rear wheels.