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:

• 

  Long Hauls - 2003 Toyota Highlander
  By Jim - March 9 - 10:00 am

  Only one problem with vehicle: the drivers bench seat is too short and causes extreme leg pain on an extended trip. I frequently drive for 10 and 12 hour stretches, and the bench does not provide enough support for me. I am 6 ft. tall, so I cannot imagine how a taller person fairs in this vehicle. Overall, the car has been trouble free.

• 

  I LOVE this car! - 2007 Toyota Yaris
  By InWisconsin - March 9 - 10:00 am

  I was looking for an inexpensive, efficient, versatile vehicle and this is it in spades. I get between 37 (winter) and 41 mpg. Five people fit comfortably OR a 5-drawer chest of drawers, a tiller, six 50# bags of feed, a college students move in load and much more. Installed a hitch and can easily transport 3 bikes+.

• 

  Just what I wanted and needed - 2009 Toyota Venza
  By Joel - March 9 - 10:00 am

  This car is perfect for what I was looking for – got rid of my two door sports car and getting ready to start a family. The room of an SUV with the driving characteristics of a sedan. One thing that was important for me was that my wife would be as comfortable driving the vehicle as I was. And she loves driving the Venza, when she’s able to wrestle the keys away from me. We were sold on the V6 with AWD, and we got all the options that the Venza came with and wonder how we ever got along without them. I like that this car drinks regular fuel and I get around 26mpg on the highway and 21mpg around town. Owned the car for over 3 months and still look for excuses to drive it. No regrets.

• 

  Great SUV - 2010 Toyota Highlander
  By paulmacleod - March 9 - 10:00 am

  After owning 10 other cars and driving over 850,000 miles I decided to give the Highlander a try even with the recalls. I am very impressed with the build quality. It feels solid on the road and the handling is very good for this size of vehicle. I am coming from an Audi which has tight steering and I have had no problem adjusting to the lighter steering feel and I do not notice any wandering on the highway. The V6 is very smooth and I have been seeing 22 MPG on the highway. There are some interior components that appear cheap, but they work fine and that is what counts. The leather seats are comfortable. Overall, I find the Highlander to be a solid performer.

• 

  Whats not to love about the Prius? - 2006 Toyota Prius
  By Synge - March 9 - 1:20 am

  Whats not to love about the Toyota Prius? Its a blast to drive, not in the same way a high performance sports car is, but in its own unique way. Ive found that the instant MPG readout tends to make me want to drive in ways that maximize the MPGs. This results in me driving slower and more in control than I have in years. The advertised EPA MPG ratings are not far off, if youre careful. Ive been getting around 50 MPG highway and mid 40s around town. The in-town ratings are lower than advertised so far, but I live in northern Michigan which means I need to run the heat and defrosters constantly. This forces the gasoline engine to run a lot more often which leads to lower MPGs.

• 

  This really is the best Tacoma yet - 2016 Toyota Tacoma
  By MH - March 8 - 11:58 pm

  Wow, there are a lot of bad reviews on here (more than I expected), but I can tell you Im more than happy with my new truck. This is my third Tacoma (2002 TRD V6, 2009 TRD Off-Road) and while both of those trucks were phenomenal in terms of toughness and reliability, this truck has all of that and much more refinement. It rides so much better than my previous trucks and is quieter (unless youre using cruise control at 70+ mph on the highway - Ill get to that later). The brakes are much improved over my 2009 (not spongy) and it actually has some modern technology in it. The interior controls are laid out in a simple and functional way as all Toyotas are. This truck feels so solid and well built. Look underneath the truck and youll see what I mean. This truck just looks so bad-ass too. The chrome mesh grill, the great looking 16" rims on the TRD off-road, no mud flaps (truck looks so much higher w/out them), the long hood, the lines on the side, and the stamped tailgate. I absolutely love the way this truck looks. Now to the bad...I do have to agree with some of the reviews on here. The engine gets very noisy on the highway at speeds over 60 mph especially when in cruise control and the truck meets an incline (any steepness). The transmission down shifts, causing the engine to rev and it is loud. Fortunately for me, I dont drive a whole lot on the highway and Id never take my family on vacation in this truck, so for me, this is not a deal breaker. I also agree that the gas mileage is not better than the prior Tacoma V6s. Im averaging about 17 mpgs in mostly city driving. There is no car (or truck) that is absolutely perfect, but for me, this truck is exactly what I wanted and expected. I have zero buyers remorse and I guarantee you when I eventually get rid of it, Ill have no remorse collecting way more money than if I had bought another vehicle. The resale value on Tacomas is unbelievable. And theres a reason for that...

• 

  Best damn car ever made - 1994 Toyota Camry
  By Toyota man - March 8 - 8:43 pm

  I bought my 94 SE coupe second hand as a trade in at my dealership. I owned the car for 6 years until sadly it was recently totalled. This particular car was one of Toyotas best made vehicles. Never left me starnded, always looked good. Interior layout was the best of any of the Camrys. You could ask for more style, comfort and just an all around great car. A sporty coupe with room for 4 human beings. I cant say enough about my old friend. I would buy another one today if the car was available and as clean as mine was. Anyone in the market looking for a great used car, have a dealer check it out first then enjoy it!! Working for a dealer in sales I have driven them all. Cant beat a 94 SE.

• 

  GREAT 4wd Limited HH - 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
  By mtshastabound - March 8 - 4:13 pm

  I just purchased this WONDERFUL car in OH (salesperson was Ernie Coon - who was wonderful!) and have just arrived home in California! Our cross-country drive was absolutely FLAWLESS! In hot, humid, windy, cool, raining conditions - MPG was 23-29 WITH A/C 95% of the time - 90% freeway traveling 70-82 MPH. Cant find a single thing wrong with the car ... not even a rattle or a squeak! Toyota has done a MARVELOUS job with the Highlander Hybrid 4wd Limited!

• 

  Limited Sequoia - 2005 Toyota Sequoia
  By eman - March 8 - 3:36 pm

  I think that the Sequoia is a good car, But if you have kids, youre going two need to have a TV. It helps a LOT! Keeps them from fighting and talking to. It also helpes if you replace the middle row middle seat with a glove compartment. It will separate your kids, and if you are going out with some adult friends, there is a lot more room. It drives smoothly, comfertably, and hassle free.

• 

  California Rav4 - 2009 Toyota RAV4
  By KC - March 8 - 11:53 am

  We own a generation 1 rav4 and have nearly 250,000 miles on it. We have a baby on the way and needed more room for a car seat. We test drove a few other makes and models and ultimately decided to buy a new rav4. I really enjoy the peppy 4cyl engine and the decent gas mileage. I am 61" tall and find the front leg room to be a bit lacking. Also, the new rav4 doesnt brake as well as our old rav4. However, the new rav4 turns easier and maneuvers better. I miss being able to park in the tiniest spaces, but hey now we have room for a stroller, groceries, and a car seat. I would recommend a 2009 rav4 to anyone looking for a small SUV that is lots of fun to drive.