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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  Awesome vehicle, great value - 2006 Toyota Camry Solara
  By Geri C. - January 10 - 7:03 am

  I just took delivery of a 2006 Solara and it is awesome. My previous vehicle was a 1999 Solara, which was a great car. I didnt think they could improve on the car, but they did! The new Solara is so quiet, it has great acceleration and the JBL audio system amazing.

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  Not your favorite toy. Beware!! - 2002 Toyota Sequoia
  By redmanct - January 10 - 3:46 am

  Purchase the suv with 69,000 miles. My wife had been on me about one so I got it for her. First the rear window motor went out. The reason I purchased it Edmunds had such good ratings and its a Toyota. Now at 82,000 miles my transmission went out while my wife were driving it. (@ 82,000 miles) I will never buy another Toyota. Very disappointed.

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  Lovin my Toyota Sequoia - 2006 Toyota Sequoia
  By Sherry Parker - January 10 - 3:43 am

  I pick up and deliver dogs in my Toyota Sequoia for my dog grooming business and it has makes my job much more fun and easier..it is easy to get the animals in and out with the 3rd row seats removed and the second bench seat made down--however, I do wish that the second bench seat could be locked while in the fold down mode--I have had the seat fall during a curve or sudden stop and it could be dangerous if a small dog happened to be in its way. I tuck a blanket around the seat securly and that does help hold it up but it would be better if it locked in position.

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  A bit disappointed. - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By rainier1975 - January 9 - 8:03 pm

  This my my fourth Toyota and I am sad to say thats it has been a bit disappointing. The car comfort, looks, performance and fuel economy are great but the paint is a disaster. As I was washing my car to remove the bugs at the pressure washer that I have always used when I began to see my bumper paint washing away like it was chalk. I then started looking at other new Camrys to realize that most are missing paint chunks on their bumpers. The dealership tried to patch paint my bumper which made it look like someone spray painted it with a spray paint can from Walmart. Factory window tint was peeling off a week after buy etc. Too many issues.

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  a perfect ten - 2007 Toyota Yaris
  By tom giambra - January 9 - 3:50 pm

  I was looking at the fit and did not feel like waiting a month or longer plus paying a nine hundred dollar premium .Iam glad I bought Yaris drives like a big car 38 mpg first fill up mixed driving

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  Transmission SUCKS!! Youve been warned - 2006 Toyota Highlander
  By rydergirl - January 9 - 3:06 pm

  This car has shuddered while accellerating since we bought it and on our road trip has us stranded now in Virginia because the transmission is messing up. The car surges forward and tries to drop gears while accelerating. The car jerks very hard and comes to a complete stop in the highway! Ive seen many reviews saying they have the same problem!! Im missing college and work and cant afford this fix and according to reviews it is a widespread problem with this particular vehicle.

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  Built to Last - 2004 Toyota Highlander
  By SJ Dave - January 9 - 1:36 pm

  I had bought the Highlander brand new for my wife back in 2004. It is one of the best of all the vehicles we had ever owned. Back then we paid for an extra extended 7 yr. warranty which paid for it self in two visits. Two yrs. ago the stereo system stopped working since it was covered, they repl. the whole unit for free. Then in this past Dec. we took it in for service, they noticed it leaking around the water pump, it was covered so it was repl. for free. Other than that we only have done regular service, brakes & the tires were repl. Ive driven it to Virginia from NJ and its still a pleasure to drive. We still get great gas mileage from this SUV.

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  "We are not going to help you with the problem!" - 2014 Toyota Camry
  By don - January 9 - 10:33 am

  Both dealer and Toyota Customer Service said that above to me personally face to face and corp. by phone. Driver seat bottom collapsing on left edge. Painful to drive after 400 miles of sitting. I had to buy a new seat for $178 from dealer who installed it. No more seat problems. I had planned to buy 4 more for my kids coming out of college but bought or leased Nissan Rogues, Mazda 3 and gave Camry to my son and took his Caddy. I cannot recommend Toyota to any one. Dealer told me to get a lawyer and he could not wave a magic wand and makee Toyota do something they will not do for a customer. Cost him $80,000 in new sales and Toyota is now 3rd not first anymore. don

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  09 Corolla LE - 2009 Toyota Corolla
  By Rick - January 9 - 7:30 am

  Just bought the new 2009 corolla and am impressed with the leg room, and just took a highway trip to check gas mileage, and got 41.3 MPG with a automatic, Very impressive. And have noticed a big improvement on torque going up hills without it having to down shift. I highly recommend the 09 Corolla.

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  first and best so far - 2004 Toyota Corolla
  By ibitamuno - January 9 - 2:40 am

  This is my first car, the drive is so much fun, the gas usage is so economical, it barely makes me scream for joy, the suspensions for the sports edition are just perfect, the sound system is great, the air conditioner is great, the drive and brakes work just perfect.... I would recommend this car to anyone, anyday. Great car, great value for your money.