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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  Yransmission noise - 2010 Toyota RAV4
  By anle - January 10 - 4:56 pm

  This is my fourth Rav4, I love the size. However, this 2010 is much noisier than my 2007. (outside noise) At 30/32 miles per hour, while coasting, it is making a terrible "growling" noise. I called the dealership, they said no other complaints and if it is intermittent, which it is, they wont be able to pin point the problem. Is anyone else having the same problem? Otherwise I love it, but I am afraid something is going to happen out on the highway and I will be stuck.

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  seats, anyone? - 2000 Toyota Sienna
  By Mhotopp - January 8 - 10:00 am

  I drove a 2000 the other day, and I currently have a previa. Whats with the seats on this thing? They must have taken design cues from Chrysler, because theyre spongy and flimsy at the same time. Why did they change?!! Also, they went backwards withthe armrests, which used to adjust and now have only one position. Americanized crap, if you ask me. Im sure the reliability is high, but if you cant get comfortable, who cares?

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  avoid prius!!! - 2008 Toyota Prius
  By poorvic2 - January 8 - 3:54 am

  Unless you are Bill Gates with very deep pockets i strongly advise avoiding a Prius. They are overpriced, do not get the gas mileage claimed and, worse of all, have the same build quality as a Yugo! I dont know where all the positive comments are from by my experience with a 2008 prius has been nothing short of a disaster. Ignition battery went out in less than 2 mnoths. Cost 200. to replace. Water pump failed and warning light did not come on. Computer had failed and repair of 1000.00 added to my cost of running this junk. Mileage? less than 60.000 miles!! Come on a Ford Pinto would have run longer than that. Well, i learned by lesson – no more overpriced Toyotas!

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  Average - 2012 Toyota Corolla
  By paracelsus - January 2 - 1:47 pm

  The car replaced my 25 year old car that was starting to have some expensive issues. I got a really good deal on a lease for this car, but I have found myself wishing for my older car back. the quality of this car is inferior to my older car. Its appearance is average. There is velcro visible on either side of the dashboard. The doors are block with styrofoam painted black. You can not only hear the road as clear as day, but you can feel every bump. I am also very disappointed in the gas mileage. It is not a great improvement over my older car. The check up was a quick thing and they didnt replace the dollar store windshield wipers that came with the car. Cant really recommend it.

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  Worst Seats - 2010 Toyota 4Runner
  By Ted - January 2 - 10:53 am

  I had 2008 Limited V8,4WD sold and bought 2010 Trail with all the options. First, the seats are like bench seats of churches, so hard. Only a few minutes ride, even my friends complained how hard and uncomfortable they were. I bought many cushions to relieve the hardness, but no solutions. I tried to voice out this problem both to dealership and Toyota HQ. After 3 months, customer service of Toyota wrote to me that could not do anything and sorry for dissatisfaction in advance. No wonder Toyota is losing faithful customers like us. We bought 5 Toyotas including Lexus LX470, all new. I will not buy another Toyota ever again. The new V6 is no match for previous V8, with no MPG advantage.

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  Excellent Ride, Disappointing Reliability - 2005 Toyota Sequoia
  By Mark - January 1 - 6:31 pm

  Purchased new. It has a comfortable interior and smooth, quiet ride-especially given its size. I have had several expensive (several hundred dollar each) repairs including: replace door actuator (automatic lock failure), replace passenger side mirror (motor failure), disable driver side mirror retractor motor (stuck), replace overhead electric console (temp/fuel mpg/DTE indicator - broken button), replace back hatch latch (broken). Am aware of others with other Toyota vehicles with some of the same problems. These repairs have soured me on Toyota reliability but I have kept it so far because it is a comfortable ride.

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  exhaust leak 06 tundra - 2006 Toyota Tundra
  By Don - December 31 - 3:23 pm

  At 16,000 miles I heard a exhaust leak, more pronounced when the vehicle was cold. Sound like defective catylitic convertor issue. I have had it back 2 times at the same dealer I purchased it from they said on the second trip back, could I leave it for 24 hrs so they could test it to which I said yes. When I dropped it off I put a penny over the front tire. 24 hrs later they called me, stating they could not find anything. Guess what when I picked the truck back up it was in the same parking spot with the penney over the tire. What a test. If this is not corrected, my toyota buying days are over. My friend is a cheif mechanic at a gm dealer and agrees it has a exhaust issue.

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  The Ripening of a Lemon - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By David - December 30 - 12:03 am

  Having had Hondas since 1976 when the original Accord first was introduced and having no major problems with any of them, I made a poor decision to purchase a Toyota Camry. The Smart Start malfunctioned three times and left me stranded in far off places. The radio scanned on its own. The struts leaked and had to be replaced. And now a wheel bearing shot. $718.00. All the aforementioned, except the wheel bearing under 36,000 miles. The wheel bearing at 37,000 just after the warranty is up. Now the recall because of the accelerator. The car is a lemon.

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  Woe is me - 2007 Camry XLE V6 problems - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By corton - December 29 - 12:43 pm

  After about 3000 miles on my 2007 Camry XLE V6/6sp Auto, its been in the shop 4 times already and the last call from the dealer was to replace the transmission. I have rattles on both B pillars and the build quality is rather poor, with unsightly gaps in the passenger side dash where it does not fit together properly. The steering is light and floaty without any on-center feel making for a numb driving experience. Lots of road noise on worn road surfaces. The 2007 Camry does not measure up.

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  TRANSMISSION DISASTER/FLAWED - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By janda225 - December 28 - 1:58 am

  The car appeared be be a great vehicle initially. I began to have problems with the transmission early on, but the dealership advised nothing was wrong. Now that I have 120,000 mile on it and out of warranty, they recommend a new transmission. The durability on the flawed designed transmission makes the vehicle a liability at this point. Ive read several reviews with the same story. Toyota should have recalled this transmission. That is probably why they changed designs for future models. At this point, I would not recommend anyone to purchase this model vehicle or any other Toyota. It is not a reliable vehicle as they use to advertise. Its garbage. Now I have to spend $4400 on a new trans