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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  Love the 4 RUnner - 2008 Toyota 4Runner
  By Mike - October 11 - 8:03 am

  I am so happy I bought this vehicle. My biggest surprise has been how well it rides on the highway. Ive done a bit of off-road but missed the snow last year. I cant wait to take it on ski trips later this year. Im averaging 22.1 MPG at 8,500 miles, which Im happy with. No regrets.

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  MPG - Gas Milleage and Horse Power - 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By Kevin Bui - October 11 - 5:16 am

  I am really disappointed by the gas mileage that I go for nearly a year, about 12,000 miles so far. I got about 28-30 miles/gal. Not sure because I live near a lot of mountain area; up and down hill; or short distance drive that caused the mileage couldnt be close to 34 or more. I took the car to the dealer and complaint about it but they ran diagnostic test and showed nothing wrong. Also, dont see a lot of horse power. Basically, me and my wife were driving like old lady style in order to see any improvement in gas mileage but it stay around 30 mile/gal or less. Not really happy at all.

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  Good Economic Car - 2006 Toyota Camry
  By Tipp City Ohio - October 10 - 2:06 pm

  This car is not for someone that is looking for style or fashion. Its a work car. Great gas mileage, great reliability, and performance for a 4 banger. The steering column needed to have telescopic function or sat closer to the driver. The interior is boring as a Buick, and the exterior looks like a granny car. But this car is built with quality and economy in mind. Blast them for making a Lt Blue version. My wife fell in love with it and now I feel weird driving a baby blue car. Oh well, its hers anyway.

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  TSS-P is great - 2017 Toyota Prius v
  By R Wertenberg - October 9 - 4:35 pm

  The radar dynamic cruise control is great, but the pre-collision system truly falls short to the point one wonders if it is working. Even when set at the greatest distance for protection, it rarely engages except as (or after) braking in a true emergency situation. That is not a good implementation in my personal opinion. If I compare it to the performance of the radar dynamic cruise control that appears to work as one would expect (if a car pulls in front of you it automatically decelerates up to and including braking if required) at a comfortable distance (that you set in a similar fashion). If you are going to be moving something long, please know that the front seats do not fold forward, you need to remove the headrest and fold them back before folding the back seat forward. Overall it has been a very good car so far and it has a surprisingly comfortable ride.

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  too new to have problems - 2005 Toyota Prius
  By haireebear - October 8 - 4:03 pm

  I have less than 400 miles on my Prius. Mileage would be in the 42 to 45mpg so far, highway and city. but I am having display console issues already. Some options gray out when I accelerate and once I could not control the radio volume manual or remotely. Car has potential but these problems should not be happening.

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  Not perfect, but pretty close - 2001 Toyota Tundra
  By Andy Bats - October 7 - 10:40 am

  Great truck - 7 years old, but only 35K miles. A couple of things that have made me unhappy - O2 sensors went out, but were replaced under warranty. Asked dealership EVERY SINGLE TIME I took the truck in for service, if the "clunk" noises from the power windows was normal, and was told yes. First service after 3 year/36K warranty expired, my window regulator bolts were loose and needed to be tightened - $185 per door. Cracked exhaust manifold - $1400 to repair - put Doug Thorley headers on for <$1K, made a huge improvement in the fuel mileage and performance.

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  Engine Hesitation w/ 5 speed manual - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By westchester - October 5 - 4:06 am

  Experience severe engine hesitation upon any acceleration attempt with outdoor temperatures 70F and above. Occurs during highway cruising at 60- 65+mph. Even downshifting to 4th sometimes does not help. Engine acts as if starved for fuel, condition becomes very bad with outside temps above 90F. Now need to resolve with Toyota directly. Otherwise, OK vehicle.

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  Toyota Does It Again! - 2011 Toyota Matrix
  By vicman17 - October 4 - 3:26 pm

  Nice updated styling. XRS model 5-Speed manual (Canadian) with a 158hp 2.4 liter 16-valve VVT-i engine used in the Camry, Venza, RAV4 and Scion xB/ tC. Pretty peppy and good fuel economy. Our last long trip averaged 570kms (354mi) to a tankful of 89 oc gas (87 recommended). Simple interior trim with lots of plastic, but well put together. XRS Body kit/ Rear spoiler gives bit of a performance look, but not too overpowering. Flat fold-down rear seats and folding front passenger seat for larger cargo items. 18-inch rims gives a stiffer ride, but not jarring. Radio with AM/FM/CD/Sirius XM / USB/iPod functions. 115V and 12V power taps are a good touch. ABS/TCS/EBA safety features standard.

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  First Year models - 2004 Toyota Sienna
  By stevede - October 2 - 2:00 am

  Had trouble with the gas tank recall. First replacement tank leaked and left my wife stranded, two weeks now and no new part insight. According to other Edmund discussion groups, this has happened before to recall customers in other parts of the country. Is it a replacement part or shoddy workmanship at the dealer, I am not sure. A second first year problem are the run flat tires. After 3,000 miles, the tire gets a nail in it. Toyota informs me that the tire must be replaced and not repaired,list price $200. I had to wait five days for a new tire. According to Dunlop, these tires can be replaced, so much for misinformation.

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  Sienna rocks!!....and is a rock - 2004 Toyota Sienna
  By chipster 62 - October 2 - 2:00 am

  I rate this vehicle very highly except in the area of acceleration. When you have to aggressively accelerate in traffic, there is a pronounced hesitation in applying power. The Toyota dealer has been unable to simulate but this hesitation, which appears to be computer-related affecting mixture or timing, makes the vehicle dangerous to drive because power is not there when you need it. Based on the dealers response, we will have to live with it.