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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  Not Bad, but some workmanship problems... - 2010 Toyota Sienna
  By Love Sienna But... - August 30 - 3:16 pm

  I always love Toyota cars, so I bought Sienna 2010. However, I find that the air conditioning unit didnt work at all for the second and third rows, just after I bought it on the third day! It took me twice about 5 hours to replace the unit at the dealership. I complained to Toyota Canada, but until now, nobody from Toyota takes it seriously and no apology or compensation from Toyota!

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  Fun Car to Drive - 2001 Toyota Corolla
  By Hal - August 28 - 9:06 pm

  Bought this car used in 2005 and has given me nothing by outstanding service. Put some Hankook tires on it about a year ago and it made all the difference in the ride and handling of the car. Passing is a breeze with the peppy engine.

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  Should have stayed with Honda Accord - 1999 Toyota Avalon
  By mary - August 28 - 10:00 am

  Very disapointed with the value for the dollars spent. Have had numerous trips to dealer for faulty airbag light, driver window failing several times and dealer unable to diagnose, suggested fix was to replace motor in door with no guarantee that this was the true problem, now right rear window wont work, struts are bad, door molding fell off, side molding came loose, trunk flooded from rain, cost $200 to replace gasket at dealer, heated seats work poorly, wonderfully riding car but not worth the money, would not buy another Toyota.

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  Good Starter Car - 2001 Toyota Corolla
  By NITSEY - August 28 - 10:00 am

  I have had other toyota products in the past, but they were all older, so i decided to bite the bullet and buy a fairly new used 2001 corolla CE. the car look good from the front, but i find that the rear end is a little plain. the performance is fine, personally i will sacrifice performance for fuel economy any day. GOOD STARTER CAR THAT WILL BE WORTH SOMETHING WHEN I AM FINISHED PAYING FOR IT.

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  Toyota does it again! - 2003 Toyota 4Runner
  By jaesun in FL - August 28 - 10:00 am

  What can I say, this SUV is great! Very comfortable ride and excellent handling. The V6 has plenty of get up and go...and great gas mileage! (for an SUV) A smooth shifting automatic transmission. Excellent breaking. Quiet and well appointed interior. Test drive one, youll be happy you did!

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  Our First Camry - 2017 Toyota Camry
  By Wayne Albrecht - August 27 - 4:53 pm

  The 2017 Camry SE was our first Camry and our 4th Toyota overall. We bought the car on 3/11/17 but had been shopping around for awhile. We had looked at Honda, Kia and Hyundai. While the others came close (The Accord being just a little less expensive), our loyalty with Toyota and the local dealership was the determining factor. Pros: Handles great, smooth and relatively quiet ride, nice body look (A Classy/Sporty mix), interior is intuitive and smart, very comfortable, easy visuals from all angles while driving, price is reasonable for its class and features. Cons: Only one, really; gas mileage. Overall, the 2017 Camry is a solid car and, if like our last few Toyotas, will be in the family for a long time.

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  Not what you think - 1998 Toyota Camry
  By Itschuck - August 26 - 10:23 pm

  Well at 80k a new engine due to oil sludge, Toyota covered it but not assuring. Lots of little cheap trim that broke and bubbled. Exterior gold emblems all cracked and peeled, paint didnt hold up at all, mottled and splotched. Sheet metal is incredibly thin, had to drill out the license plate bolts cause they rusted in place.

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  Let Down - 2006 Toyota Avalon
  By TD - August 26 - 10:46 am

  This is my sixth Toyota and the reliability is very uncharacteristic compared to all the others. Major oil leak problem twice now makes the car completely unreliable. Also had a leak in the moon roof fixed. Continual problem with acceleration from a stop position corrected intermittently by a "computer reset". I think Im going to trade it in. Also the car was bumped in a parking lot, in the front right causing only a scuff to the bumper. The whole bumper had to be replaced as it connects to the blinker light wells and the motor splash guard underneath, which both cracked.

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  Toyota = Quality and Reliability - 2000 Toyota Camry
  By tanner - August 26 - 4:26 am

  Our Camry is used for a family car and has not had a single problem. Oil change, new tires and battery..thats it!

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  My Fathers Oldsmobile - 2006 Toyota Avalon
  By JLF - August 22 - 2:13 pm

  Strong acceleration, good fuel economy, flaccid handling, isolation in the passenger compartment, roomy, luxury without pretense, lots of features, reasonable price, unpretentious styling, this is my fathers Oldsmobile.