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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  Beware of buying the 2013 Avalon Limited - 2013 Toyota Avalon
  By bill440 - June 5 - 12:06 am

  Ive owned this car for less than a week and have 2 problems with it, the back of the driver side seat panel broke and the headliner is falling down. The sad part of this story is that Toyota knows about these problems and kept letting dealers sell this defective car. This is not an isolated incident, check Toyota Nation to read other owners with this same issue. Toyota is finally issuing a bulletin to the dealer on these problems. The dealer will fix it under warranty but I dont feel the same, I expect a new car to be trouble free not have to be rebuilt.

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  Till the End - 2002 Toyota Tacoma
  By Tawcoma26 - June 4 - 10:16 pm

  No matter what I throw at this truck, it gets the job done. Fits 5 people nicely, and you can still throw stuff in the bed. Although more pwr from the 4cyl would be nice, it still gets the job done. Mud, snow, sand, dirt, nothing can stop this truck. For the price you pay, you get one hell of a truck that can conquer anything. Pull, push, haul, it does it with reliability. From its great design to the ease of use in the cabin, this trucks a winner and I dont see myself getting rid of it.

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  05 trd 4x4 access cab v6 5speed auto - 2005 Toyota Tacoma
  By bad man - June 4 - 6:50 pm

  i have the trd off road with every availible option. i use for work and average 20mpg and have put over 40,000 miles in less than one year. every jobsite i go on people love the look of my truck! very cool truck with a great ride and lots of power. the power outlet in the bed is neat. i would like a light in the bed.

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  Great Value - 2003 Toyota Corolla
  By Nancy - June 3 - 11:06 pm

  Overall, I have been happy with my Corolla. The gas mileage is just fantastic. I have had a few minor quality problems such as the seal around the doors coming loose. It handles well in the snow, but it is a little shaky in windy conditions.

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  The uncomfortable seats have ruined the RAV4 for me :-( - 2012 Toyota RAV4
  By tnaubie - June 3 - 4:00 pm

  Warning for potential RAV4 buyers.....Most uncomfortable seats in a car....EVER! I like almost everything about this vehicle but if it is uncomfortable to sit in then what use is it. Just took a 1000+ mile trip in our new 2012 RAV4 over 7 days and had a miserable experience in the passenger front seat (driver seat and back seats are just as bad). When test driving the car, I noticed the seats were firm, but did not know just how bad they were going to be until this trip. Too bad it took paying a gazillion dollars to find out how uncomfortable a ride this car is. If I had it to do over again, I would not purchase this vehicle based on the seats. I have owned 2 Corollas (1992 & 2006)and a Camry (2002) and loved all of them including the seats (that is why we returned to Toyota for another vehicle). What happened Toyota? Why change a good thing that has been working for many years? Not only are the seats beyond pitiful, but the upholstery is made of a hard feeling material. Cutting corners to save a dollar, I assume. The dark charcoal-colored material in the door panels and the dashboard show dirt and dust easily. I would prefer a one-tone lighter color like the gray that is used as the complementary color in my vehicle. I also do not care for the orange glow that Toyota has incorporated into the instrument panel on the dashboard. My 2006 Corolla has all white colored lights which is easy on the eyes, but the orange in the 2012 RAV4 is very distracting at night. The leg room and storage in the RAV4 is good. I especially like the storage bin under the back floorboard. I would like a couple more cubby hole type storage compartments in the front for the driver. My cell phone does not fit in the cell phone holder so I have to put it in the cup holder. The headrests are not adjustable. They can go only up or down and not in between. The back seat adjustment handles are VERY inconvenient....located on the top side of the seat back. Would prefer them to be located on the bottom side of the seat like most all car seats I have sat in. If you are already sitting in the seat and need to adjust the back up or down, then it is impossible to reach the handle without getting out of the seat. There are no adjustment handles for the seat height like in my Corolla. Wish there were. We got good gas mileage on our trip....27-28 mpg. The RAV4 handles easily and rides pretty smooth. But, like I said before, the uncomfortable seats outweigh any positive characteristics in this vehicle. Going on a long trip at the end of the summer in our RAV4 and not looking forward to it.

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  2000 Toyota Sienna - 2000 Toyota Sienna
  By carperson2 - June 3 - 12:08 pm

  We got this van new in the year 2000. Right now the cars has 213,000 miles on it, no problems, only oil change and timing belt. Weve used this car in all kinds of conditions, in snow, dirt, and heavy rain. This van has never let us down. We are looking forward to buy a 2011 Toyota Sienna. Thank you Toyota for a reliable mini-van.

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  Awesome Camry - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By My Camry - June 3 - 9:13 am

  This car is fantastic. Very comfortable, quite and smooth ride. Adequate power and good MPG. I am really happy I decided on the Camry over the Accord and Sonata

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  07 Tundra - Was Worth The Wait - 2007 Toyota Tundra
  By geets - June 3 - 5:03 am

  The 2007 Tundra 5.7L V8 Limited is by far the best truck I have ever owned, and I have owned my fair share. The 5.7L delivers in every way, great pick up and acceleration, quiet and comfortable for the family. The dual exhaust adds a little something for me. I love this truck and I look forward to driving it everyday. Thank you Toyota, Ive waited 3 years for this truck - you got a real winner here.

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  Best money ever spent! - 1997 Toyota Tacoma
  By william1969 - June 3 - 1:50 am

  I purchased my 1997 Toyota Tacoma LX V6 Extra Cab in 99 with 67,000 miles on it. Today, it has 272,000 miles. Ive only replaced the radiator, O2 sensor, a ball bearing joint, and the starter, as well as, the normal required maintenance such as timing belts. It is a true work horse, and a remarkable automobile for reliability and function considering the other vehicles Ive witnessed. Ive been offered by three different individuals on separate occasions to buy it from me. Its not going to happen.

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  Awsome car! - 2006 Toyota RAV4
  By Lisa - June 2 - 3:00 pm

  Just bought it a week ago and love it! Fun to drive...still waiting to see on the fuel economy, doesnt seem like im getting 24 mpg. Very peppy even though its the 4 cylinder limited. Glad I got the side curtain airbags - pretty much got it all except leather (couldnt find it). Was a hard car to find. Dealers had a lot of 4 wheel drives and base and sport trims, not many Limiteds.