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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  loose strip on top of car. - 2017 Toyota RAV4
  By Lillian Harrell - April 24 - 1:43 pm

  There is a strip on top of the car under the luggage rack that came off when I took it through the car wash.

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  Basics - 2016 Toyota RAV4
  By Barry toms - April 17 - 2:53 pm

  MPG, power, options.

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  cute little commuter car - 2016 Toyota Corolla
  By CMI - April 17 - 2:32 pm

  I have been driving this for 2 weeks while my Acura is in the collision shop. Great first car for a teen or a great commuter car. For a non-leather interior, the cloth seats are nice. Power windows and mirrors but not power seats. I am 54" and have the seat pulled all the way up. Not sure how shorter drivers would do. It has that CVT transmission that you will either love or hate. Its a little hard to get used to. Prefer more acceleration. Great on gas. AWFUL stereo.

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  I GOT THE LEMON - 2001 Toyota Sequoia
  By DCOOP - April 17 - 10:00 am

  First of all to be fair to Toyota, I have brought 4 Toyota vechicles, and all had been perfect, but the Sequoia, it has been a nightmare. 1st- problem 2sets of brakes and rotors. 2nd- Traveling in Florida on vacation and transmission made a clunk sound several times, then all of the sudden the truck dies out on the freeway the transmission needs replacing 20kmile. 3rd- At 30kmiles engine light comes on, need a catalytic converter.

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  Will never buy a Toyota again - 2008 Toyota Camry Solara
  By Debby - April 16 - 11:46 am

  I wanted a convertible so badly and picked this one (my first Toyota). It has the worst pickup of any car I have ever driven. My VW Beetle was more powerful than this car. I am hesitant when on a ramp to get on a highway because the car fails the get up and go you need. My lease is over in two years and I cant wait!!! On the positive side, it is nice to drive with the top down on a nice day. Oh by the way, the rear window is very poor in terms of visibility so be careful when backing up.

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  update - 2009 Toyota Matrix
  By gthumb - April 15 - 3:46 am

  posted a review last Nov. since then the weather has turned colder, more rattles, and the windshield sounds as though it is going to pop out. More paint has chipped off the front end, noise inside the car has increased, and the recall has added to the loss of resale value. I will never by a Toyota again.

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  Its not all that it is cracked up to be - 2000 Toyota Tundra
  By Gene - April 12 - 4:50 am

  Many problems with the brakes. Was told the axle has to be replaced to fix the brake problem. Exhaust header gasket replaced at 50,000. Panel light burnt out as did the rear license plate light. Went through 3 starters. Paint was very susceptible to scratching. Brackets holding front wheel well trim corroded in under 70,000. Oil dipstick was the wrong length. Door screws come loose. Electrics in drivers door replaced.

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  VSC and ABS failure at 500 miles - 2007 Toyota Tundra
  By theracingmind - April 9 - 12:00 am

  I had my brand new 2007 Tundra for less than 5 days before the vehicle stability control failed, along with traction control and anti-lock brakes. I live in snowy Canada and expect these things to work. I am very disappointed in the truck. I expected more from Toyota. So far, the problem is a mystery to the mechanics. At the moment, I hate to use the thing. It sits in my driveway like a giant black lemon. Ugh!

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  Lots of Noise - 2003 Toyota Camry
  By Rex Higgins - April 5 - 10:00 am

  Lots of noise with this new car. 1st the windows. Dealer replaced window regulator & slider but only help a little. Still got window rattle noise. 2nd noise is an odd ticking or snapping noise coming from the rear center dash area. It sounds as if there something like plastic that is rubbing against each other. It happens sporadically, but is really annoying. The dealer cant fix it and the dealer called Toyota for a fix, but Toyota says no fix. Anyone riding in the car remarks about the noise and surprised seeing thats its in a almost new car.

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  Am I the only one - 2006 Toyota Tundra
  By L EDMONDS - March 30 - 5:56 am

  I bought this vehicle new in Dec. 2005 and I have been very disappointed in the transmission and brakes. The brakes feel spongy and occasionally the brake pedal will sink way down and I feel like vehicle isnt going to stop, probably a problem with the ABS. Also the transmission sticks in gear and is very slow to shift into the next gear. When accelerating I have had the RPMS redline because the tranny is not shifting but stuck in 1st or 2nd gear. Erratic and jerky shifting on tranny. Sometimes it will shift into 5th gear when I am only going 25 or 30 MPH.