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:

• 

  Highlander 4 Matrix - 2002 Toyota Highlander
  By Highlander - August 17 - 10:33 pm

  The best of all is I can make turn on highway while driving 65 mph without braking and need not to worry about flip over. In the snow just hit the snow button and elec control will take over.

• 

  Awesome - 2008 Toyota RAV4
  By ghana - August 17 - 4:03 pm

  Still breaking this car in, have only driven about 250 miles, but am totally impressed with the entire package. Fast, responsive, comfortable, quiet, good visibility, spacious, tight handling, great looking, nice riding, solid car. Cruising at 70 mph, and tach only reads about 2000 rpm. My old car, a v6 also, used to read 3000 rpm. I live in the U.K. where sometimes its better/safer to drive on the freeways fast (80mph+). I used to be a little concerned about motor wear in my old car. I dont think Ill have to be concerned about it anymore. I dont think that the 5 speed auto trans has any big issues. The V6 version is the best.

• 

  My husband wants a Matrix too. - 2006 Toyota Matrix
  By M.J.DRAHL - August 17 - 2:10 pm

  Searched far and wide for a vehicle that I could manage back and forth comfortably to my professional job. Driving included highway and stop-go city traffic. My husband and I tested several vehicles to learn about interior, outward view all around safety and its road manners. The Matrix far exceeded all competing manufacturers. Toyota - always moving forward.

• 

  annoying transmission bump - 2009 Toyota 4Runner
  By kj23 - August 17 - 11:50 am

  Bought late in season and have had it for 2 years now. Truck drives and handles well. Fuel mileage better than expected. Only complaints are for an upscale truck many little things left off, ex:no vanity lights, no power seats silly heat/ac controls. But the most annoying is a bump you feel after you stop and let your foot off the brake. It feels as if you are bumped from behind. It has been to the dealer many times hoping they will come up with a fix but no luck yet. The dealer is aware of problem, they call it differential backlash and it is a design defect. In the long run it cannot be good for transmission or my sanity. I am trading truck for another make any day now. Stay away.

• 

  Comfort, most notably the front seats terrible - 2016 Toyota Tacoma
  By Bruce Gross - August 16 - 11:54 pm

  Truck has great performance if you drive with ETC activated, does not get the MPGs as advertised averages; averaging 16 MPG around town. Has already been to the service department for an annoying chirping sound cuased by the engine mounted high pressure fuel pump; replaced the pump and have same issue but has resolved itself with 18 k mi on it. Premium technolgy package with JBL is worth the cost. My overall impression of the truck is not good the steering feels vauge on center and is unresopnisive; toyota should have applied the tundras handling characteristics to the tacoma and it would be a home run. Overall i am not satisfied with a $37000 overpriced truck; terrible front seats my 08 Tundra was superior in comfort & handling. Cmon Toyota wake up Im sitting in some of the cheapest and poorly designed seats for comfort Ive ever sat in!!!!

• 

  Satisfied - 2005 Toyota Tacoma
  By Jordan - August 16 - 10:36 pm

  I purchased this truck because I needed something to haul stuff for gardening, home improvements, etc. I was sick of putting things in the trunk of my car. I wanted a truck with good mileage and styling. I didnt want to pay a lot. This truck accomplished all of this. At 64" tall, it was also the most comfortable, compact truck I could find.

• 

  2nd generation Prius - 2009 Toyota Prius
  By GBRACH - August 16 - 3:06 pm

  Have owned 04, 05, 06, 08, 09 Prius. No other car is even close. Very quiet, tracks perfectly, extremely fast. CVT is only transmission to have. Shift by wire is magnificent. Trunk space is incredible. Comfortable. If gas was 20 cents a gallon I would still buy Prius. Will get 2010 next. We have an 08 and 09 at present. Excellent brakes and build quality.

• 

  Built Like a Car, Rides Like a Truck - 2009 Toyota Tacoma
  By Buyers Remorse - August 16 - 2:26 pm

  This vehicle is one incredible pile of junk. At less than 45 days following its build and less than 400 miles on the odometer heres the tally: underbody rust, rust and more rust; looks like the truck was built and then placed on the sea floor to cure; sloppy manufacturing permanently welded oxygen sensors into their threaded mounts; radio quit working; 4WD system engages only when it wants to -- not when you want it to; brakes soft as sponges; mystery rattle from right door pillar. This thing has a totally plastic (plastic!) box, Im not talking a steel bed lined with plastic, but plastic!

• 

  2007 hybrid camry - 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By steve - August 16 - 4:30 am

  In the heat of phoenix averaging between 31 to 36 mpg in town. On the highway getting 40. car is one month old & is by far the funnest to drive Ive ever had.

• 

  Disappointing - 2002 Toyota Prius
  By shawn - August 16 - 1:53 am

  Bought this car used. Wonderful first year. Very happy and proud to drive this car. Saved a lot of money in gas. Only averaged 37 mpg, less than I thought. Then check engine light came on. Cost $1200 to replace 12 volt battery and brakes. 2 weeks later light came on again. Dealer service said codes indicated I need new main battery cost is $3600.00. Called back 2 days later was told problem wasnt battery but transaxle, new cost $4600.00. All the money I saved in gas is shot to hell in one repair. It is outrageously expensive to repair this car. No more Prius for me. I no longer have faith in the car or the techs ability to diagnose and solve problems.