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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  Slow & sluggish - 2004 Toyota Camry Solara
  By SandraDee - February 13 - 1:43 am

  I thought 220hp meant a little performance. Honestly, my 150hp Pontiac had better acceleration & performance than this thing. It is slow, sluggish, hesitates with acceleration, downshifts when I dont want it too, and jerks like a kid learning a stick shift (its an automatic) at slow speeds. The dealership tells me there is nothing they can do about it, that it is the "drive by wire" throttle system. Well, I HATE it. I would like to be able to accelerate into traffic without worrying about getting hit by oncoming traffic because my car didnt respond when I hit the gas. The dealer promised me that I would "LOVE" my Toyota, but Im ready to trade it in with less than 5k miles on it!

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  It Just Wont Die - 1998 Toyota Corolla
  By fifi_lemon - February 3 - 3:55 am

  This is a really good car. 12 years, its still going pretty great. My moms trying to get two more years out of it, which WILL happen, before she gets a new one. If youre looking for a reliable car for many years from now, this car is for you. No major breakdowns, except the "check engine" light has been going off. The mechanic says its because a wire keeps getting bumped. For the love of pete.

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  corolla dx-1994 - 1994 Toyota Corolla
  By weis - February 2 - 10:00 am

  The car has been a trooper. Not in the least bit luxurious or fun to drive, but it gets you there.

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  Disappointed - 2010 Toyota RAV4
  By exraver - February 2 - 5:00 am

  Its ok. Just ok. Just enough power. Quite disappointing mileage. Cheap feel to everything, especially closing doors. Sounds like tin can. Wish wed looked longer. Id be depressed if this were my car, its my wifes and she doesnt notice. Whew. Dealership staff were great to deal with however.

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  Brake noise? - 2008 Toyota Corolla
  By jones indiana - January 30 - 9:23 pm

  I started getting this popping clunking noise from brakes whenever I take off from park position or after I have reversed the car and apply brakes. I only have 14520 miles on it. I bought it brand new. It is a loud noise. The dealership told me it was a normal noise. I dont think so! The other Toyota Corolla models from previous years dont make this noise. Beware before you buy 2008 Corolla. Other than this noise my Corolla runs great 28 mpg in town, 325 miles to tank of gas of 12.5 gallons.

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  RAV4 problems - 2004 Toyota RAV4
  By TomT - January 30 - 10:00 am

  I purchased my RAV4 based on Toyotas reputation for reliability and Im disappointed with the quality. This week the check engine warning light and vehicle control light came on indicting problems. The car has a squeal underneath at 15 to 35 mph. I drove it on an improved dirt road and since then have heard loud rattles behind the instrument panel. The visor clip is loose and of cheesy build quality and seems ready to fall off. The ignition switch is also loose and seems cheesy. The wind noise when the back windows are open is very loud and sounds like a helicopter taking off. The passenger window rattles when halfway down. Im very dissatisfied.

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  Hmmmm......Toyota I got a bad one!!!! - 2004 Toyota Corolla
  By Vai - January 30 - 10:00 am

  Car has its good and bads...great heat/AC, brakes, fuel econ. But, my car has had soooooo many little quality issues I have lost count. Door seals replaced, stero bezel replaced, lights,etc.etc.etc I think I got a Monday morning car becuase I seem to be the only unsatisfied Toyota owner in the world.

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  First Toyota - 2009 Toyota Corolla
  By pookaloopa - January 28 - 6:56 am

  My first non American car. I just traded it in on a Ford taking a huge financial hit to get rid of it. I bought a Corolla S for Toyotas reputation of quality and its rated fuel economy. The fuel economy was great I got 32-33 mpg combined with my type of driving. Quality, not so great. Front window gasket leaked as it was installed improperly. Rear seat belt didnt latch, rear window defogger switch overheated and stuck in the on position, windshield wipers quit working. The car had a funny way of steering no matter how hard I tried it always seemed to over correct (thats the best I can do to describe it). Not to mention the recall(for which I have not received an official notification.)

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  questionable build quality - 2002 Toyota Sequoia
  By rich - January 26 - 8:03 pm

  owned since new. brought home with a transmission fluid leak- taken care of and has not been a problem. The rear door handle recently came off for the second time. First time about a year old under warranty. This time $400+ to repair. Had rear window motor replaced at the same time as the window has not worked for the last two years. Another $400 and change. Turn signal has not canceled itself for last year- $700 to fix, said no thanks. Interior pull handles broke months after purchase and drivers seat leather (dealer installed at purchase) is torn. Rear dome light works one out of ten times- dealer unable to find short. First and last Toyota. The car has less than 60K on it.

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  Not what its cracked up to be - 1993 Toyota Camry
  By mark - January 22 - 9:33 am

  I have spent a lot of money on this car in repairs. It never seems to end every time I fix something another thing breaks. Transmission went bad at 103.000 miles over $1,800 to fix. 2 cv axles went bad at 67.000 miles. Water pump needed replacement at 71.000 miles along with the timing belt, tensioner, radiator went at 91,504 miles, now car has developed a major oil leak at 113,000 miles and was told its leaking from the head gasket a cost of $900.00 from day one this car makes all kinds of noise when cold out something to do with bushings in the front and rear. It has a 4 cylinder motor which only gets 12 miles to a gallon. My next car will not be a Toyota. Im thinking of a Nissan altima