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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  let it snow - 2005 Toyota Highlander
  By robert - August 26 - 1:00 am

  We have had our Higlander for 7 mos and have had 0 issues. Love the solid handling, strong engine, and good breaking for its weight. AWD + Traction control + stability control make it the best vehicle I have ever driven in snow. Even if I try in an empty parking lot, I can not get the back end to kick out. The Navigation system is easy to use and has been accurate 98% of the time. Interior is well designed and 2nd row seating is very comfortable on long trips. There are a few rattles which is dissapointing. My 02 Solara that I traded in had better interior quality and softer plastics.

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  Second Tundra - 2006 Toyota Tundra
  By 2nd tundra - August 25 - 11:03 pm

  This is my second Tundra, my first was a 2000 SR5 4x4 extra cab. The only reason I sold that one was for a bigger rear seat. It was a great truck, with good power and great reliablity. My new truck is even better, with the TRD package it ride great and handles the dirt and snow just fine. I have not towed anything with it yet, but forsee no problems. Although slightly smaller then the other full size trucks, it has plenty of room in the back and front seats.

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  A monument to transportation! - 1994 Toyota Corolla
  By Fabron - August 25 - 4:30 pm

  Bought this car used with 130,000 miles for my wife to drive to work. I change the oil myself. Nothing, I mean nothing but oil has been touched on it with 229,000 miles on it now. I will definitely but another one in a minute. We drove it to Las Vegas from Sacramento. No problems through deserts, uphills and downhills, twisty mountains, or gas stations. We now take it everywhere we go without a thought.

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  Quality truck with better gas mileage - 2007 Toyota Tacoma
  By javax - August 25 - 9:00 am

  My first truck! I test drove F150 FX4, Nissan Frontier, and Titan but decided to get Toyota Tacoma in the end. I liked the F150 and Titan but I just couldnt buy either one because of gas mileage. The Frontier truck was good also but didnt have many configurations. Tacoma was built like a truck and runs like a truck too. If you want to get a truck that runs like a car, stay away from this one. However, if you are after quality, this one is for you. It lacks (4cyl 4X4) horsepower to accelerate fast on the highway but it handles sharp curves like a car. At high speed around 70 mph, the truck makes quite a bit of engine noise. The exterior is very stylish and interior is well designed.

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  durable, good performance, sweet engine - 1999 Toyota Sienna
  By wduck3 - August 25 - 8:03 am

  Flawless performer for almost 94K now. Only one minor glitch with the tire pressure warning light that the dealer could not remedy. The reminder light isnt an active warning system; I donteven miss it. Wonderful, smooth engine & drive train. Rugged interior (grey cloth) that has worn well with soccer players, two large dogs, antiques, lawn mower, etc. Wish we had gotten the LEs alloy wheels, though.

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  Bought it new and still love it - 2000 Toyota 4Runner
  By jo - August 25 - 5:50 am

  We have over 175000 miles on and off paved roads including many miles of Los Angeles freeway stop and go driving. Replaced the brake pads/rotors ONCE and have had another $350 repair at about 150K. About the same time the antenna motor stopped working. Thats it besides regular service. We will have to replace the clutch at some point but thats because Im hard on them.

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  Very Pleased With The 2010 Sequoia - 2010 Toyota Sequoia
  By Nick G - August 25 - 3:23 am

  This was my first SUV purchase. Before I have owned a BMW 530, a VW Passat, Porsche Boxster, and Chrysler 300. I have always avoided SUVs, but I am looking to have a few kids and needed something more practical for around the house. So far this has been a great SUV with a car like drive an feel. The improvements in the suspension allow for more room inside and a better ride. It has plenty of power and I love that I can now have 7 folks easily get into a car take a long ride in comfort. I would suggest required features to have the Sonar, running boards and back up camera. I also like the wood grain interior and larger wheels. With this package the maintenance was included for 36K miles

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  Yota convert - 1999 Toyota 4Runner
  By DougT. - August 24 - 10:20 pm

  1999 4Runner SR5 (2WD, 3.4 V6) bought less than six months ago with 95k miles on it. When I test drove it I could not believe how tight (new feeling) everything was for a six year old vehicle with close to a 100k miles on it. The only problems were the power antena didnt work (broken mast, easy fix) and the starter tended to stick. Being a paranoid person, I put it in the shop on day one of owning it to have a complete tune up of all systems as well as a new timing belt, starter, and water pump (since they were at it anyway when replacing the timing belt) Ive driven it an additional 10,000 miles since buying it with not a single problem. So far its the best vehicle Ive ever owned.

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  Remember its a Toyota "TRUCK" - 2010 Toyota Tundra
  By parder - August 24 - 8:46 pm

  One month so far. Replaced a F150 with Tundra Dbl cab. F150 drives like a caddy, Tundra like a used Mack. Bouncy and loud. Great looking,but take it for a long test drive to make sure. Gauges hard to see,2 front seats,yet cupholders (good for long trips across Sahara),but no map pockets? Radio system confusing & impossible to reach(steering wheel controls dont really help). Cruise hard to reach and tells you it is on when it really isnt. Hard to control gas pedal, small brake pedal. But, typical of Toyota & Honda-you get what we give you and like it. Great towing capacity but highly overrated as everyday driver for performance and comfort! Oh, dont forget the $100 oil changes.

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  A Future Recall for Inadvertent Accelaration - 2016 Toyota Tacoma
  By George Camacho - August 24 - 8:42 pm

  My prior truck was a 2008 4x4 Double Cab Tacoma, which to this day regret trading it in for the 2016 SR5 4x4 Double Cab Tacoma. The 2016 was advertised as an improvement. I believe this model looks better and the interior was an improvement, but the 3.5 engine is a step back from the 4.0 liter engine. Im pretty sure the transmission is not doing the engine justice. And I understand that its a 4x4 therefore its going to perform different, but most of the time I drive on the highway not off road. I dont see any problems with Toyota incorporating the shift points that we are all complaining about when its in 4x4, the technology is there. And yes the engine is very noisy contrary to how its advertised. Gas mileage is no better because I find myself stepping on the gas pedal more just to get out of my own way. But besides re-iterating other reviews, the most alarming problem to me is the inadvertent acceleration while parking, whether its backing up or pulling forward. The engines behaves as if its going to stall then catches itself by fluctuating the RPMs. This is problematic when parking in tight spots.