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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  The Cats Meow - 2006 Toyota RAV4
  By LTD 4dr SUV 4WD w/V6 - August 8 - 9:46 pm

  Owned for 8months now and the Rav is everything and more than we expected it to be. We have all the bells and whistles with leather seats. The V6 has such quick acceleration, I can see why they used this car in the "24" series as a getaway car. The mileage on the highway is 29, around town 24. The Key is using cruise set at 65-70 on the highway. The upgraded stereo is like being at a concert. Driving the Rav is a pleasure and the tire on the back gives it a sporty accent. Love this SUV and so does my husband when I dont hide the keys!

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  Only one complaint - 2007 Toyota Yaris
  By ahviva - August 8 - 8:33 pm

  I was extremely excited to buy this car to replace my old Geo Metro. Although no fuel-driven car (and even many hybrids) comes close to Geo Metros fuel efficiency, Yaris record was good enough. Plus, I was looking to stay within the sub-compact category. I love it in every way except for two serious design flaws: 1. Theres only ONE cup holder in the whole car, and its positioned in a way that is utterly inconvenient. I have to reach quite far back, past the manual brake to be able to grab it. 2. If I adjust the seat so that I am comfortable reaching the pedals, I have to stretch my arms to reach the steering wheel. It makes it for a much less comfortable drive than Id like to.

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  Ravinitup 4 All - 2006 Toyota RAV4
  By ravinitup - August 8 - 5:53 pm

  Ive never had a new auto. I love this one. It is awesome! The V6 is very quick and the LED lights in the back are very sharp. I love the ride and the quality of the inside. I have the ash interior, silver exterior. It looks very nice with the brushed aluminum trim inside by the radio and on the door panels. I am going to be getting the bug guard, chrome exhaust tip, and running boards to complete the look. I also may order a Limited Grille to dress it up. The Limited has a different grille than the Base and Sport. Its just an awesome SUV and I love to drive it any chance that I get.

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  Amazing Car - 1995 Toyota Camry
  By Jakeb E - August 8 - 4:23 pm

  My grandma had this car since 1999 she gave it to me when she got a new one. She NEVER had any problems with it. It has always been really reliable.

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  Not thrilled with Quality does not feel like Toyota product - 2005 Toyota Sienna
  By gigi24 - August 8 - 2:36 pm

  I am really disappointed about the quality of 2005 Toyota Sienna. It has 112,000 miles and about 8 months ago things starts braking one at a time. Here are some of the issues I have uncounted. * Tries are rotated at every 5,000 miles and alignment at every 15,000 miles still Tires wear at an angle. * Cracks start appearing on the dash board, now cracks are expanded across entire dash board. * Power steering rack start leaking on the both ends and dealer wants $1,800 replace it * Rubbers hosing that holds antenna broken and other rubber items stats cracking * The glue that holds glass to the windows motor came off . * Tailgate struts broken rear door does not keep up.

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  Toyota Quality? - 2005 Toyota Matrix
  By Keith - August 8 - 10:23 am

  Issues: 1)Noisey front end. Dealer says its the tires (Continentals) and wont do anything about it. 2)Needed a serpentine belt at 12,500 miles. Why? 3)You have to sit on the passenger seat to move it. 4)Auto locks will automatically relock 30 seconds after you hit the button. 5)Driver side window broke at 11,000. Took the dealer 2 trys to fix it. 6)Auto Transmission is "iffy" coming down hills. 7)Rear windshield wiper is noisey even if its new. (And a new one costs 20 bucks) 8)Spoilers are too low to the ground. Every matrix XR I have seen in parking lots have theirs broked right in front of rear wheels (they bottom out over speed bumps.)

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  Towed 9000lb boat 4000 miles - 2008 Toyota Sequoia
  By culross - August 8 - 10:03 am

  Purchased my Sequoia used w/ 7K miles. Now, at 20K miles, the car still functions like new. Towed 9000 lb boat/trailer from south California to Alaska without any problems whatsoever. This SUV was able to accelerate up even the steepest mountain passes with the boat in tow. Very impressive. Now it allows me to take 6 other people along for fishing trips.

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  Excellent! - 1998 Toyota Camry
  By fred158 - August 8 - 9:20 am

  I bough it when it has 224K on it. The price was so low that I could afford, but, this car has never disappointed me. I have replaced starter, battery, some shafts, now engines get turned on in a second in winter. 4 wheel ABS works perfectly and I had never been troubled by it. Shocks make sound over humps and bumps but its ok, Im using it in a small town with speed limit<45., so, no problem! Even replacing the whole shock and strut for one wheel would not be more than 400$. Its a great car that I got for a great price!

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  2011 Toyota Prius Two - 2011 Toyota Prius
  By kadena - August 7 - 10:22 pm

  I purchased my Prius new. I have 31,000 miles on the car. I have changed the oil and oil filter three times. No repairs at all. It gets 50 mpg, sometimes a little more. The seats are comfortable. It is 100% made in Japan. I think this car is of the highest quality. It certainly is made for Chicago city driving and the outrageous gas prices here. I would buy another one just like it. No regrets whatsoever in the purchase of this car.

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  Dont buy this car - 2004 Toyota Prius
  By biker bob - August 7 - 9:20 pm

  The Prius has had 2 recalls so far, the CD player was replaced once already and the new one doesnt play most CDs, I have a bad leak behind the dash and my floors got soaked and now with the cold weather my floor is frozen. Im waiting for my appointment to bring the car in. Ive had the car 8 months and its been in the shop 3 times already and its going again. My fuel mileage isnt the same since the computer recall, and no one can tell me why. The best city mileage Im getting is bet. 28 and 35 MPGs. I cant wait to sell this thing.