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:

• 

  Best Toyota Ive Owned - 2013 Toyota Avalon Hybrid
  By jsaldana - May 31 - 10:31 pm

  My first car was a 78 Celica and Ive had Toyotas ever since, this is the best of them. Great style, great design, excellent quality throughout, great mpg, great value if you cross shop Lexus, BMW, or Infinity. Keep the car in eco mode and youll get 40+ mpg. Switch over to Sport mode if you need some kick, not a sport sedan but still entertaining. I went looking for a hybrid when my commute doubled, tried Prius, Camry, Lexus ES300H, Ford C-Max & Fusion, the Avalon has the best balance of comfort, luxury, handling and fuel efficiency. I paid more than I was planning but worth every penny. I expect to keep this car for 15+ years so the cost per mile is well worth it to me.

• 

  Tacoma 2nd Week Still A Dream - 2005 Toyota Tacoma
  By BriGuy - May 31 - 10:06 pm

  Bought Tacoma w/TRD off road package 2 wks ago and am loving it. Warning - its a big truck. Wont fit in garage, even though I have the 2dr Access cab version. Parking brake takes getting used to (its an old-school pull type handle) but works just fine. Saw complaints on net about paint chipping on speedway blue, black and radiant red, but havent seen any on my silver truck.

• 

  My 2005 Toyota Solara SE Convertible - 2005 Toyota Camry Solara
  By Gary Green - May 31 - 3:13 pm

  Driving the 2005 Toyota Solara was a new experience for me as I had been driving a 1989 car. The convertible with the 3.3liter V-6 is smooth, quiet and has plenty of power. The interior and exterior are pleasing and modern. The rear seats actually hold two adults comfortably. The red exterior with black leather and trim causes this car to stand out in a crowd. Some of the things that I do not like are: the drivers seat speed; much too slow, the rear view is mostly blocked by the huge rear head rests, and the instruments atop the dash are difficult to see in bright light. The convertible top is simple to lower, and raise.

• 

  Nice Ride - 2009 Toyota Camry
  By Greg - May 30 - 10:33 pm

  Was looking at this and the Acura TL 2008 model. Wife liked this one. First tank of gas 29 mpg. Half driving was interstate at 80 mph and half all around driving city and hwy. 2nd tank 32 mpg highway driving at 70 mph hwy. Nice and comfortable. Reclining rear seats, in two positions, 4 degrees each. Plenty of leg room. Nice power. Not sporty power like the Acura but it has plenty. Hands free Blue tooth is the only way to go. Call comes in, once paired with your phone, radio goes off, hit talk switch on steering wheel and just talk and drive. When call is over, hang up the phone, that is located on your steering wheel and the radio comes back. Very safe feature. Great car.

• 

  Love the car, not the service - 2008 Toyota Sienna
  By aramf - May 30 - 6:29 pm

  We are a family of 5 and really love having this van. The mpg is great, the accelation and breaks are great and driving it is just like driving a sedan. We love this car. THe issue we dont like is that this car has cold start rattling issue. And a lot of people complaing about it, yet Toyota dealers for the most part say it is a normal noise. The possible culprits for that are lifter problems, upper engine oil seal that keep the oil from draining into the bottom pan and variable valve timing oil hose. Basically the valves are not lubricated at cold start and thats what causes the noise. Still dealing with toyota to resolve this. The car wa hardy 37000 miles when the problem started.

• 

  First Black FJ in Colorado - 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser
  By CAL - May 30 - 6:23 pm

  18,000 miles and 19.8 mpg everytime. 70% city driving. Prior to my FJ I usually bought and sold my cars at least once year. The only vehicle that I have ever owned that compared to the highway ride I enjoy with the FJ was a Lincoln Navigator and it had a bit of pitch and roll. My FJ does not have that feel and does not feel like a 4x4 on the highway.

• 

  Happy with my choice. - 2017 Toyota Highlander
  By Tom - May 30 - 11:14 am

  Spent many months researching before buying and ended up with an old favorite. This is our second highlander and it is even better than before. We found a 2017 certified used (Dealer rental) and negotiated a real good deal. Under $40,000 with 100,000 bumper to bumper warranty. Only thing less than perfect are the front seat comfort is not quite soft enough for my old back (my wife who is picker than me has no complaints and thinks the ride is better than her Lexus) and the voice activated command is very temperamental. I think that a little adjustment on my part will bring these up to Toyota standards.

• 

  Highly recommend to city dwellers - 2012 Toyota Prius v
  By 123224 - May 30 - 10:07 am

  I almost opted for the hatchback because the V MPG rating is not as good, and I could get 0% financing. So glad I went for it because driving to/from work (17 mi each way) in Houston rush hour traffic, Im averaging around 50 mpg! The temp has been in the 60-70s, so have been using the ac. When it gets colder, the mpg might not be as good, since the engine will have to run more to keep me warm. I have a Five w/out Advanced Tech Package. I love everything about it, except so far, I cant get Entunes to work--have an I-phone. Not a big deal, except I hate not being able to use something I paid for. I chose the Five because I did not want cloth seats. So far, Im pleased.

• 

  96 Toyota 4-runner limited remarks - 1996 Toyota 4Runner
  By runner4 - May 30 - 10:00 am

  I love my Toyota, its so nice and the re-sale on them is so good!!! I get complements on my 4-runner all the time. This has to the best SUV that any manufacture (SP?) has ever came out with!!!

• 

  Sienna worth the price - 2000 Toyota Sienna
  By alamedasims - May 30 - 10:00 am

  I have owned a Toyota Sienna XLE for 2 years now. After 21000 miles weve had no mechanical problems at all. The leather interior still smells like new. The van is extremely comfortable and quiet; I would choose it any day over a standard luxury car. The trade off is performance; its a minivan after all. The V-6 has ample power for accelerating to highway speeds, but youre not going to be going out of your way to drive twisty roads. It seats 7, though, and carries a ton with the seats removed.