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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  Okay, but needs some improvements... - 2009 Toyota Corolla
  By vtnc85 - November 1 - 5:53 am

  I have owned my 2009 Toyota Corolla LE since May 2008. I purchased it right after they became available at my local dealership, and traded my 2004 Corolla, which I loved. I fell in love with the redesigned body style of the 2009 model, but thats where the love ends! The biggest complaint I, and many other owners that I have talked to, have with the 2009 Corolla is the Electric Power Steering. I cannot, for the life of me, keep the car in a straight line when traveling over 50mph. I think that it is a design flaw that should get looked into. Other than that rather annoying and potentially unsafe aspect, the build quality is comparable with the 2004 model. Gas mileage is about 35mpg.

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  2006 XLS after one month - 2006 Toyota Avalon
  By vanthull - October 30 - 3:23 am

  Again,I find the front seats "smallish"in width and length (as they were in my 2002 Lexus ES300). The display of the sequential shift position ie., 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th is almost impossible to read because it is unlit and does not show up readily. The small pass through space is ridiculously inadequate unless a couple of 2x4s are your common cargo (or skis). Front passenger seat adjustment- up and down- should be standard on the XLS, I think. Knee room, behind the wheel, is minimal for me at an even 6 in height. At one month of ownership these are my negative comments.

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  I saw it I bought it, I liked it - 2005 Toyota Corolla
  By rrodri2613 - October 29 - 10:00 am

  I finally donated my 10 year old Camry to charity and decided to buy a more economical car. I was not disappointed, it cost alot less than my last car and rides and looks just AS GOOD. The car is a little plain, so you might have to add a snazzy license frame or a spoiler or sports bra, but I really love it. The only problem is getting my wife to let me drive it.

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  2008 Toyota Sienna CE - 2008 Toyota Sienna
  By billiam - October 28 - 8:56 pm

  This van is well appointed even for the low end model. However, at low speed, the transmission is very slow to shift with a rev that is unnerving. The sliding doors just a few months after purchase have squeaked even though there have been several visits to the dealer. I will be taking my van back to the shop again soon for this problem. If the simple things not being done right bug you. Avoid this vehicle until there is a major redesign. Also there is the interior noise of the engine. I thought I was driving a diesel.

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  color my world - 2003 Toyota Matrix
  By BJ Freeman - October 28 - 7:20 pm

  Paint on front bumper has peeled and fallen off, now it is flat back. Service tech told me I probably bumped a curb while parking and that makes the paint fall off. Stated it was a manufacturers defect but Toyota has not acknowledged yet so they will do nothing to correct it. I thought thats what a bumper guard was for. Dumb me. Also milage is not what it is rated. On a good day gets about 24 mpg.Also "tires for life" program sucks. Salesman stated "Free tires as long as you own the car, regardless". Did not tell me I also needed to buy Road Hazard on them. Sooo, I have bought 3 tires. I do have road hazard now. Thanks Deluca Toyota for hiring such ace salesmen to take advantage of us!

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  Great Value - 2015 Toyota Corolla
  By Charles Thomas - October 28 - 1:19 pm

  I cross shopped the Corolla, Ford Focus, Mazda3 and Honda Civic. With incentives, the Corolla was the best value in a fully loaded compact. This is my eighth Toyota or Lexus product and the previous seven have been bullet proof mechanically.

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  What a great car for the value! - 2003 Toyota Corolla
  By Reliable Car - Great - October 28 - 7:06 am

  I have had this car since 2002, I have 103,000 miles on it and I have had NO engine or other problems except in the beginning which the dealer fixed asap since it was just off their lot so no problems. Great space and room!

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  Rattles & steering - 2009 Toyota Corolla
  By Tony - October 28 - 6:30 am

  Great car overall our 5th Toyota. Fuel consumption is good about 5.5 litres/100km on long runs & 6.8 around town. Very sensitive steering. This is not a problem but does require more attention while driving or the car can be in the wrong lane very quickly. Have experienced a rumble/knock in front region of car plus rattles in sun roof. Dealer changed windshield thinking it was flexing body.This didnt solve problem. Dealer has just replaced a front strut & housing which has solved problem. Now we only have minor rattles.

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  Good Vehicle to Me - 2001 Toyota Highlander
  By Wendy - October 28 - 5:20 am

  I have owned this car since 2001. I abuse my cars and am lucky to have it in for an oil change every 5,000 miles. It is in need of its 60,000 mile tune-up and I am over 100,000 miles now... ughh. One of the best vehicles I have ever owned, aside from a dead battery (my fault), and the check engine light (from some idiot not putting my air filter back correctly after an oil change) never had a problem. Plan to give it to my son who will be driving age in 2 years. Then... maybe another highlander.

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  2007 Toyota Tundra - 2007 Toyota Tundra
  By Alex - October 27 - 10:46 am

  Typical Toyota Product. Great workmanship. Outstanding specs.