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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  Great Powertrain!! - 2008 Toyota Tundra
  By Slysnakeman - November 3 - 6:36 pm

  Truck has loads of power and a silky shifting 6 speed tranny. MPG has stayed around 16 overall with about 30% of my driving in the city. Truck steers and tracks exceptional and acceleration is effortless. Overall the ride quality is "good" not great. The rear suspension rides jittery and a bit stiff. Its what I expected from a truck with a 1500 lb. payload and 10,000 lb. towing capacity. Ive really enjoyed the nav/JBL with bluetooth, and the backup camera is very helpful in a truck this size.

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  Rear Clunking Sound - 2010 Toyota Camry
  By Clunking sound - November 3 - 1:36 pm

  We recently purchased our 2010 XLE 6cyl Camry. It has a clunking sound when accelerating from a complete stop. Sounds like there is a watermelon in the trunk rolling back. The sound is intermittent. I have taken it to the repair shop and they have heard the problem but cannot tell me what it is. I was told a Toyota rep will be looking at it next time he is in town. Car has less than 900 miles on it and has had this problem since we purchased it. Really wish we had noticed it on the test drive. Disappointed.

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  AWESOME! - 2006 Toyota RAV4
  By michelle - November 3 - 11:23 am

  I test drove every small to mid sized SUV under the 50K price tag; the V6 Rav4 Sport beat anything else out there. A few came close, but they were 15 to 20K more! With 269HP under the hood, its got a lot of pickup, it handles great, and its a very smooth ride. Ive gotten great gas mileage, better than I had expected. Im impressed with everything about this vehicle.

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  TRD Supercharged XRS - 2009 Toyota Corolla
  By TRDSupercharged XRS - November 3 - 10:16 am

  I bought the Corolla XRS and as a birthday present my father had it supercharged it for me at the factory($3,190, the same TRD supercharger available for the tC). I now put out 206 hp and 171 lb.-ft of torque. With the supercharger I now get about 22 to 24 mpg city and close to 34 mpg highway. I also love the shift feel of the five-speed gear box,very smooth. In gloss black my Toyota XRS with tinted windows, interior LED light enhancements and awesomely crisp JBL sound system the car has proven fun and stylish.

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  Exceeding Expectations - 2005 Toyota Camry Solara
  By J. Armstrong - November 3 - 10:06 am

  Just a terrific car - reliable, elegant, comfortable, solid, and sexy without a mid-life crisis look.

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  great truck - 2005 Toyota Tacoma
  By Tom - November 3 - 8:30 am

  Excellent truck, drives like a small truck with the power and dimensions of a larger truck. Another couple of inches of leg room in the back would be nice.

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  Best fun car w/o a doubt - 2003 Toyota MR2 Spyder
  By DRM - November 3 - 5:56 am

  Took the spyder to Victoria, BC. A management challenge in fitting both mine and wifes luggage into the small box behind the seats. Even stuff a small suitcase into the well where the top folds in. 1000 miles up and 1000 mils back. Besides getting by with minimal luggage, this car was fun and I believe safe as it can outrun any truck or suv on the highway. Around town, no one can even come close. Attracted lots of attention as this car is not available in Canada. Good mileage on top of speed, handling and style. Have not had this much fun for a long time.

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  Cheap truck - 2009 Toyota Tacoma
  By DM - November 3 - 2:10 am

  Cheap truck. Plastic bed, unboxed frame rails and suspension components cheap compared to domestics. Lots of cheap interior plastic, and seems like it overall is just built inferior. Should have bought the Dakota or a 1/2 ton domestic. Throttle recalls, Rusty frame recalls. etc. Toyata has lost all quality control.

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  Need Real Tires - 2005 Toyota Sienna
  By Jon Sutterby - November 2 - 6:03 pm

  The 05 Sienna we have is a great vehicle. Lots of room, quiet, good looking and lots of power for a mini van. I love driving it... you dont know youÂ’re in a van unless you look in the rear view mirror, its awesome. But I dont know what Toyota was thinking with the tires they picked??? The Dunlop SP 4000 tires are total junk!!! We have 2200 miles on the van and they are wearing like they have 12,000-15,000 on them and are already cupping @ 2,200 miles. What a joke!! If it werenÂ’t for the tires it would be perfect for us!!!

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  tiptoe steering & then bliss - 2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By pleased_as_p - November 2 - 4:14 pm

  Have had it two days....mileage started at 10 mpg at 10 miles and is now up to 33 mpg at 150 miles. Steering better than 1998 Camry or 2005 Tundra. Acceleration about the same as 1998 Camry (V6). If you have the transmitter in your hand the door unlocks. EV plus ECO mode for economy. 600+ miles per tank of gas. Brilliant sharp headlights. Excellent interior temperature control. Put seats up high to get more elbow room and better visibility. Comfy driving position/adjustable steering wheel. Pass through from trunk for fishing poles/lumber. Mirrors well situated. Some wind noise at 70 mph. Almost no motor noise until accelerator is floored. Less wind down sound than 2011.