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:

• 

  Reliable but definite drawbacks. - 2015 Toyota Venza
  By John - March 2 - 10:42 pm

  We are a Toyota family. We bought our Venza new. It is a 2011 model. The drawbacks: much poorer milage than advertised. Our Venza did not come with a back up camera-and there is a definite need for one. Do not buy a Venza unless it has a back up camera. This car also has a somewhat rough ride. We replaced a Camry with this Venza and the Camry had a much better ride. There is manufacturing design flaw. This car car is subject to animals (rodents) getting inside the car going up through the motor area and getting in in the area at the bottom of the windshield. We have had to remove dead rats from the inside of the car and have used all kinds of repellent to keep them out-it is a constant battle. This is the first vehicle I have owned (I am 70 years old and have owned quite a few) that I have had a problem with rodents. The good qualities: Excellent reliability, minimum maintenance requirement, easy to drive, and usually good resale or trade in value.

• 

  Nothing but problems - 2003 Toyota Sequoia
  By laura alvarez - March 2 - 6:03 pm

  Problems with vcs, trac, abs lights coming on and medal grinding noise when making a right turn, it has been taken in several times to the Toyota dealership and they cant figure it out, read all the reviews about this problem and decided not worth the hassle and felt very unsafe driving it, returned it for another vehicle, 2006 gmc Yukon what a shame for being a Toyota; had a Chevy 2003 suburban for 6 years 120,000 miles, not one problem other than fuel pump, should have kept it!

• 

  "Almost" Perfect.... - 2005 Toyota RAV4
  By Tuttman - March 2 - 7:53 am

  Not very comfortable for driver on long drives. Vehicle is listed at 21mpg city and 28mpg highway. After the first year my mpg went down to 18 city and 25 highway. I can barely get 280 miles from a tank of gas in the city. Dealership says nothing wrong. (dealerships are all rip-offs) Exhaust has a rattle at low rpms. Other than that, I love this car. After 3.5 years and 37000 miles, it has needed NO repairs other than scheduled maintenance. The most reliable car Ive ever owned.

• 

  Best car ever - 2000 Toyota Camry
  By J Schaefer - March 2 - 2:00 am

  Purchased this car in 2004 with 48,000 miles. Currently has 222,668. Still on original brakes. Absolutely no repairs during ownership...has survived two deer crashes. Will drive til the bolts fall out. Certainly will replace with another Camry. Interior and exterior still look like new. Check engine light comes on when refill with gas. Mechanic turns it off each time I get oil changed. Terrific car!!

• 

  Model of the Perfect Car - 2007 Toyota Avalon
  By Richard Hale - March 1 - 11:43 pm

  This car is everything a real car should be. Roomy, beautiful, powerful, safe, economical, and reliable. Toyota has the perfect formula with this automobile.

• 

  A great family car! - 2009 Toyota Matrix
  By Anna - March 1 - 10:23 pm

  I was looking for a combination of best gas mileage, reliability, cargo space, practicality and a sporty look. I have to be able to see myself still driving this vehicle over 8 years from now since this is a long term investment for me. I had a great purchase experience from the dealer, which is sometimes hard to believe from experience, but they were very helpful. I am 52 and the flexibility of moving the driver seat higher is a plus. Its easy to maneuver and getting the kids in and out of the car is so easy. Plenty of cargo space for a stroller, grocery bags and kids sport stuff. I am so proud of this cars practicality mixed with sportiness appeal. Thank you Toyota

• 

  Love My New Rav 4 - 2008 Toyota RAV4
  By Branden - March 1 - 10:20 pm

  Theres a lot to like about this vehicle, and a few minor annoyances. The pick up is amazing with the V6 engine (I previously had a 4 cylinder). Lots of room compared to older models. Plenty of legroom for passengers in back, and plenty of cargo space.

• 

  One Word AWESOME!! - 2007 Toyota Tundra
  By rholley84 - March 1 - 6:33 pm

  Every aspect of this truck is unbelievable, the amount of power is endless, every redesigned inch of this truck is improved, cannot go wrong with this purchase for this price. Pulls a full trailer with no hesitation and no lack of power.

• 

  cant beat it - 2005 Toyota Land Cruiser
  By Ted - March 1 - 4:06 pm

  I dont think there is a better SUV on the market. Looks, quality, performance, capability and reliability are unmatched. While not inexpensive, worth every penny.

• 

  Love it! - 2010 Toyota Yaris
  By Art Adams - March 1 - 3:03 pm

  I have only owned this car for 3 weeks so I cannot comment on reliability but I have driven a friends Camry extensively and I am impressed with Toyota in general. The Yaris is a ball to drive and my only problem is that I want to be traveling all the time and that could eventually get expensive. The car is, for its size powerful, comfortable and attractive. The gas tank is only 11.1 gal and I am accustomed to a 20 gal tank but it will go twice as far on a gallon as the Cherokee I traded in so the smaller tank is OK. All in all I am delighted with it.