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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  My truck - 2001 Toyota Sequoia
  By Mrs, Magnolia - September 1 - 6:40 am

  Dependable, and fun to drive either in town or across country, I love my truck. Accommodates all the kids and family, for myself or clients when showing houses. And the feeling of a safe & secure ride.

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  All Around Strength - 2005 Toyota Tacoma
  By cub49er4life - September 1 - 4:06 am

  This truck has been wonderful. I have not had any of the issues some others have complained of. It is very roomy on the interior, and it is absolutely gorgeous. Most people cant believe its a truck when they are inside because it is so nice. There is nice height on the 4x4 doublecab, and the handling is fantastic. Overall, it drives very smooth on the road and is very responsive.

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  A very smooth ride - 2006 Toyota Prius
  By Tanya - September 1 - 3:30 am

  This is a great car. I am amazed at the gas mileage we are getting and love the ease of driving.

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  Issues with 05 prius you should know - 2005 Toyota Prius
  By 2005 prius - September 1 - 2:30 am

  After purchasing my 05 prius with factory navigation and HID headlights, package 6 I believe. Just be aware that all 04 and 05 had the ugly painted door panels and dash, I strongly would avoid these if you can get the 06 and newer. the paint has peeled off on these parts. I went to a prius dismantler and purchased all the door panels and dash parts from a 08 prius to do the swap, so much nicer. The second and biggest issue is the HID headlight bulbs, they just shut off while you use them . The best solution is replace them with aftermarket HID bulbs, do not use the factory Toyota bulbs, they will go out again. Numerous owners have had this issue, ballast is not the problem, its the bulbs.

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  After 6 years in a Honda CRV,This is like....silk! - 2015 Toyota RAV4
  By Zorro - September 1 - 1:35 am

  I once had a 78 Cadillac Deville.It was like...buttah! But this Rav4? A very close ride.Smooooooooth ride,and it just feels ..luxurious! I have only had it for 3 weeks,but I am amazed every time I drive it! The Honda was a wonderful vehicle,but this? This is like...so luxurious! Actually,even tho it is MUCH bigger? It gets way way better gas mileage.The sound system? Goes up to 60!! Beautiful sound,better than my Bose home sterio..I just wanna sit n my Rav4 an listen to the XM radio all day..Cannot WAIT to take a nice long road trip! Got a stupendous color,and the black interior is so clean and classy.I think..I thin I might be in love with this vehicle!!!!haha Cant wait to see what it is like in the winter! Seriously,this Rav4,is a fun driving experience..***Update..So,I love this Rav4 more than I ever thought ,especially this winter!,I put studded snow tires on it,much to the consternation of many of the old timers .But ,I have a job that makes me HAVE to get to it,no matter what,and this has been a heavy duty winter so far.Many times,when I leave for work? The roads have not even been plowed.Im the first one on the road.My sweet Rav4 just eats up the snowy,icy road,like it was made for it! Slow and steady,and it will go anywhere!.For a minute,last fall,I considered trading it in towards a Toyota truck.I am so glad that I didnt! I love this vehicle,and yes,there ARE some blind spots,but Ive learned to work around them..In my opinion? This is the PERFECT winter vehicle.We call it"the Tundra mobile"...Gas milage,in the winter is down to 23 mpg,but its ok.The quality of the ride is amazing!

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  As good as any new car - 1999 Toyota Avalon
  By stevesavalon - August 31 - 10:06 pm

  Bought when 9 months old with 13,000 miles. Now have 118,000 and runs like new. 25 mpg commuting, 31 hwy. Replaced struts at 75,000, front brakes 75,000 and front brakes 115,000. Thats the only maintenance besides timing belt at 90,000. I cannot get excited about paying $35+ for a new car that isnt any better than this. Hope to see over 200,000+ before I would consider changing.

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  Third Camry is not the charm - 2011 Toyota Camry
  By ecrinker - August 31 - 5:22 pm

  Ive been driving a Camry for 24 years - an 87 and a 2000. I drove them for close to 200k miles each with no complaints. 5 months ago I bought the 2011 with no hesitation. Loved the exterior, and the interior was familiar - it felt right. After driving it for 2 days, I began to notice the ride was bumpy and the car didnt hug the road. It was hard to control on curves. I joked it was a bucket of bolts and thats how it felt. The doors seem lightweight and the passenger door has no stop. It opens fully and very wide, into other cars. Theres clunking when you go from braking to accelerating on freeway. The gas pedal seems to pulse. Cruise control varies by 10mph. This is not my Camry.

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  Sienna 06 - 2006 Toyota Sienna
  By AmberH - August 31 - 4:03 pm

  Love the van. Drives great looks great. Comfortable for everyone that rides in it. Yes even if you are in the back. Quiet and smooth. Gotta love it.

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  2015 Toyota Camry SE 2.5 (6-speed auto) - 2015 Toyota Camry
  By The guy who will never drives a Camry again - August 31 - 12:41 pm

  I am eventually giving up loyalty with Toyota Camry after 20 years of driving on 4 generation of Camry. I made a big mistake to buy the 2015 Camry SE instead of researching more on a Honda Accord or Nissan Altima. The Camry was way under power and it made so much road noise on highway as though you were driving a 10 year old car. Braking system is pretty bad that you have to press hard on brake for a stop. The seats are rough and pain in the butt after an hour drive (not comfort at all). The only good thing on this car is having more space and leg room and a back up camera as a standard compare to the previous model. So as you read this, do try to give yourself a good test drive on highway if you really want a Camry. My guess you better off with the LE model since the struts are not stiff and you have a normal tires. Anyway, regardless of what model of Camry you buy (4 or 6 cylinders) they are all under power and it will make you very frustrated for the money you paid. I later try a test drive on a Nissan Altima and the Honda Accord and what I would say both the Nissan and the Accord are excellent drive and comfort. If in the scale 1-10 of rating I would rate the Camry 5 and the Altima/Accord would be 9. One more thing to note, The Nissan Altima is the best for the comfort, space, and gas mileage.

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  Overhyped mileage - 2004 Toyota Prius
  By corkoffice - August 30 - 5:03 pm

  60 MPG City??? NEVER. In real life I get 38-42 City and 45-50 Highway. Its time to get honest about Prius mileage. Why set up consumers to be disappointed by not getting a fictional 60 mpg?