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:

• 

  Better Than the Lexus - 2003 Toyota Highlander
  By jmarcus - April 25 - 10:00 am

  As a Lexus driver I was disappointed in the RX330 as it has a new engine and new transmission and absolutely no low-end torque. Trying to merge onto the highway is almost impossible. The 2003 Toyota Highlander had the exact engine and transmission combination that I enjoyed in the RX300. The interior is even nicer than the RX300 interior and the purchase price is about $10,000 dollars less. If you look under the hood you couldnt tell which car was which.

• 

  rattles drive me crazy - 2002 Toyota Camry
  By pepper45322 - April 25 - 10:00 am

  I have been a loyal Toyota buyer since 1982. I traded in my 1999 Solara for this vehicle. This car is a disappointment because of the rattles, squeeks, creeks coming from the headliner and front dash. I took it to the dealer 3 times and on the third time they told me the car is in "normal" range for noise. I guess Toyota has lowered their standards to American made vehicles for rattles. There are serious inerior quality issues with camrys. I have not experienced the surging/jerking at 50 mph when releasing gas pedal with this car but did with my Solara, which is why I dumped it.

• 

  2007 AVALON TOYOTAS FAILURE - 2007 Toyota Avalon
  By 07avalonsucs - April 25 - 9:37 am

  This year and model should have lived up to the Toyota name, but sadly it is as bad as some American cars for reliability .They called it the closest thing to an American sedan, well they were right it fails in the engine after 40000 miles and continues to be a money pit for repairs, for years to come, DO NOT BELEIVE SOME OF THESE SAPPY OWNERS WHO DO NOT DRIVE THIS CAR ANYWHERE BUT TO CHURCH. IT IS NOT RELIABLE. The cylinder coils fail and fail regularly until you need new cylinders which sadly happen at less than 100k. Toyota should step up and recall these engines for failure, instead of touting the wondrous American-like sedan. Buyer Beware.

• 

  Good Car so far at only1050 miles total. - 2009 Toyota Corolla
  By Frank M. - April 25 - 1:00 am

  Since our 99 Civic was totaled while stopped at a red light, I decided to look around at other brands of cars: After examining everything on the market, I bought a new 09 Corolla LE. Why? Toyotas reputation for reliability is seldom matched, and competing brands werent outstanding. Its a solid feeling car that performs as well or better than almost any other economy vehicle. The mileage is superb: with about a half-and-half mix of heavy town traffic and mountain driving, it has averaged 35.8 MPG! Much better than advertised. I dont shove my foot through the gas pedal, but it keeps up with traffic just fine. The "Hot Car" magazines may pan it, but average drivers will be happy.

• 

  Love - 2008 Toyota FJ Cruiser
  By Sbw - April 24 - 10:26 pm

  I just got it and Im in love! The very first thing I noticed was the blind spots but I will deal since I have the rear sensors. Mine is loaded and its perfect! I was surprised at how smooth and comfortable it is. I cant wait to get it off the road!

• 

  Corolla review 123 - 2017 Toyota Corolla
  By Alan Feiveson - April 24 - 9:41 pm

  One thing kept us from considering this car. The visibility out the back was very poor due to the high rear seat headrests.

• 

  Corolla review 123 - 2017 Toyota Corolla
  By Alan Feiveson - April 24 - 9:41 pm

  One thing kept us from considering this car. The visibility out the back was very poor due to the high rear seat headrests.

• 

  Reliable - 1999 Toyota Corolla
  By Farmer Sue - April 24 - 6:10 pm

  I bought this car new and have just over 175,000 miles on it. The only items I have replaced are the front struts, brakes, tires, and other routine maintenance items. Very reliable.

• 

  RAV4 2001 - 2001 Toyota RAV4
  By Ted - April 24 - 3:40 pm

  About ready to trade/sell this vehicle for another Toyota. It has been a superb car. Not as comfortable on long trips as I was hoping. Extremely reliable with excellent body integrity.

• 

  Performance and reliability - 2005 Toyota Tundra
  By hank from georgia - April 24 - 3:16 pm

  This has truly been a wonderful driving experience. I change the oil (Mobil One) every five thousand miles, and keep an eye on the other fluids, and I think this thing would run for a long, long time. The only trouble I had, was when the tire pressure indicator indicated that one of my tires was low on air pressure. I checked all four, and that is when I found out that the spare was also hooked up to a monitor. When I purchase another truck it will be a Tundra. (When you gonna put out a diesel?)