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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  2013 Corolla white paint mismatch - 2013 Toyota Corolla
  By notoyotaagain - December 14 - 10:19 am

  Decided to give Corolla a try, bought new from dealership. Huge mistake!!! In the light you cant tell as well, but overcast and evenings its horrible. Front fender does not match hood and front doors, front doors do not match rear doors, rear doors do not match quarter panels. Dealer admitted seeing problem and called corporate Toyota. Corporate said since we see it on all white Corollas, it is "normal". Took to arbitration (as "required" by Toyota before court) who also sees mismatch but does not deem it to be a "defect" Im not talking about the horribly mismatched bumpers here, but the metal panels. If you dont like feeling you got screwed, dont get a white Corolla

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  Vibration - 2006 Toyota RAV4
  By Carmelita Fronk - December 13 - 5:03 am

  When engine is idling and AC is on you will feel a vibration through the floor when the AC kicks in. Sometimes vibration is stronger than other times. It is very anoying

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  Going Downhill! - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By Sylvester - December 6 - 11:26 pm

  I purchased my SE Camry two months ago and already Im seeing significant issues. First off, this car is slug and sometimes hesitates 1-3 seconds before moving. Second, the cruise control is horrible and virtually unusable due to the constant downshifting if the road is not completely flat. Third, the engine is very noisy and the dealership told me that all 4 cyl. Camrys sound that way. Going in a drive-thru at McDonalds is almost embarrassing with the knocking noise bouncing off the wall. The car has only 3,000 miles on it and it sounds as though Im driving a 10-year old vehicle. Looks are great and interior is comfortable, but it’s not worth buying given the quality issues.

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  Disappointed - 2004 Toyota Camry Solara
  By djintn - December 4 - 8:56 pm

  Sexy car, but with several problems. Been in shop four times within 11,000 miles, and two more times since then at 16,000 miles. Pulls to the left, BIG blind spot to the right rear, rattle in the dash and the 3.3 V6 has a hesitation at low speeds when you give it gas that has almost got me hit (Toyota claims that it was designed that way). Hood is magnet for rocks and paint is inferior. All of these issues can be found on the Toyota Owners boards and on the complaints section of the NHTSA website.

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  Functional, but with major problems - 2000 Toyota Camry Solara
  By David Hull - December 4 - 9:06 am

  Ive always owned Ford products until this Toyota, and was expecting great things. Bought it with just over 35,000 miles on it. At 55,000 miles, had to replace the engine after a broken push rod destroyed the lower half. Thankfully, the local dealer was able to arrange "good will" coverage, as the warranty had just expired. Ive never been able to keep an alignment on the car for more than a few months, and have major vibration through the steering column at highway speeds. It handles well but lacks any power, as you might imagine with a 4-cylinder. Im sorely disappointed with my first Toyota.

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  Recall Needed - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By Heiro - December 2 - 6:03 am

  After driving this car for a month it is very obvious to me that there is a design flaw in the transmission. The acceleration is acceptable if a bit jerky but if you need to drive between 30 - 60 MPH you will not like this car. The transmission constantly shifts back and forth between gears. When this first started happening I though I may have had the emergency brake enabled or big gusts of wind kept hitting the car. This problem makes this car absolutely no fun to drive and makes me wish I had purchased something else.

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  Buyer Beware - 2004 Toyota Sienna
  By Supherb - November 27 - 5:26 am

  This has probably been one of the most disappointing vehicles that I have ever owned (and I have owned a lot in the past 50 years). Gas mileage has been worse than my GMC V8 pickup, cruise control that downshifts on the slightest grade, run flat tires replaced at 12K, wheels replaced due to excessive pitting, lower control arm bushings worn out at 35K, front brakes worn out at 35K (most of this mileage is long freeway trips) . My greatest concern is with the Toyota tire pressure monitoring system that does not monitor tire pressure but monitors the change in circumference of the tires. This does not work with run flat tires because the tire walls do not distort even with 0# air pressure.

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  Problems Problems Problems - 2002 Toyota Sequoia
  By European Car Lover - November 27 - 2:00 am

  I purchased my limited Sequioa in December of 2001 and since then i have put just over 17,000 miles on the car and have had the brakes fixed for the same problem 3 times! I used to own a 1998 Lincoln Navigator and drove it the same way I drive my Sequoia and never had any problems with it. In my opinion the Sequioa looks like a 4Runner on steroids! Also the front passanger seat doesnt raise up and down! For what I paid for it, I was expecting a lot more!

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  let me down - 2003 Toyota Corolla
  By mike - November 25 - 10:16 pm

  Mileage went from ok to poor in only 5-6000 miles. Corolla started at 34mpg first tank to 27-28mpg after 5-6k miles. I have always gotten better milage than stated except for these cars. The sheet-metal on the car is too thin. It dents when you wash it. The trunks side-walls are not 2-ply. I had a cardbord box dent out the side when driving around a corner. The padding on the seats is sub-standard. When getting in you feel the tube steel in the side bolsters. I am less than 200lbs. Toyota= D-!

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  White smoke problem - 2005 Toyota Camry
  By kumgock - November 25 - 6:09 am

  I bought 2002 Camry LE, but sold it soon because the car exhausting big amount of white smoke when start engine every morning. I bought 2005 Camry, just only 73,000 miles. This car happen same problem, exhausting big amount of white smoke when I start engine every morning, So I asked to my friend who has a same model about this matter. He said his car same problem. I,m so disppointed about Toyota engine 2.4. I was report this matter to Toyota customer care, they rejected my asking to repair free of charge, because my care passed warranty, I think this is recall problem, not warranty due to every same model have a same problem. I asked a mechanics, they said it might engine oil leaking in en