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:

• 

  Dont waste your money - 2005 Toyota Corolla
  By maplesugar6 - December 9 - 2:26 am

  This has been my second Toyota and I always have heard good things about the Corolla, but I have to say I was not impressed at all. I hate that it does not have anti-lock breaks. When I bought it they told me it did and then I had to find out through a minor fender bender it didnt. I also had problems with my speakers, windshield and passenger door. It is hard to accelerate and at times it hesitates when turning from one road to another. I hate it and wish I had never gotten rid of my Rav4. I loved my Rav. I would not recommend this car to anyone. I had way too many problems with it for a new car. It should have been perfect.

• 

  disapointed in some aspects of the design - 2011 Toyota Sienna
  By tom344 - December 8 - 8:33 pm

  It rained last night. The roof was wet. I needed to roll down the drivers side window to see. The water from the roof poured directly into the car. The controls for the power windows got very wet. To make it worse each window control sits on top of a small well that holds the water and assures that it drains into the window control mechanism. The interior side of the front doors seem flimsy. I am tall and my left knee pushes against the protrusion that holds the window controls. I see it flexing each time my left leg moves. I am concerned that the flimsy plastic that makes up the interior door will eventually crack after repeated exposures to my left leg pushing against it.

• 

  At first impressed and then not so much - 2008 Toyota RAV4
  By spidermum - December 8 - 3:00 pm

  I am a 7 year Toyota owner and didnt think twice when it was time to buy a another car. My 2003 Corolla took me to 150,000 miles with no problems (besides standard maintenance). I bought my CERTIFIED 2008 RAV4 in November of 2009 and have had to replace the breaks, tires, and battery since then. At first, I loved the snappiness (torque) of my V6 Rav4. After replacing the breaks and the tires (after 6 months of ownership) I was a little discouraged. Then, my battery went out and what I didnt know is that the power steering is powered by the battery. I lost complete power steering in the middle of a major intersection and am thankful to be alive.

• 

  Will never buy a Toyota again - 2010 Toyota Camry
  By 1st and Last Toyota - December 5 - 8:26 pm

  Bought this 2010 Camry LE Automatic in October 2009. Have had three warranty repair visits in the last 6 months, and the problem is still not fixed. Heavy pull in one direction or the other. Excessive steering wheel play, wobble, and vibration. Alignment done twice. Tires rotated twice. Front struts replaced. Going to the dealer for the fourth repair visit this week. Not just disappointed with Toyota - frustrated, and feel robbed of my money are the right terms.

• 

  No More Toyotas For Me - 2000 Toyota Camry
  By Pgcorky - December 5 - 4:13 pm

  I think we all know the Camry history, solid - if unexciting - performance coupled with legendary Toyota reliability. Unfortunately, its clear that Toyota has seriously lost its edge and my confidence. At just over 80,000 miles the engine on our Camry seized - and its likely that oil gel or sludge is the culprit. Even following the manufacturers recommendation of 7,500 miles between oil changes was insufficient. So we basically now have a junk car when we thought we had another 100,000 miles in her. I guess Im a Honda man now.

• 

  poor quality but comfortable - 2000 Toyota Camry Solara
  By pchang - December 4 - 10:00 am

  interior is roomy and comfortable. however, ever since i bought the car brand new three years ago, i have had it fixed at least $2000. besides the 36,000-mile only tires, all four of the suspension had to be replaced when it was about 42,000.

• 

  no cash - 2001 Toyota Sequoia
  By wasted money - November 30 - 2:50 pm

  This was a great vehicle when purchased. We average about 11000 miles per year. At the end of last summer the air conditioner went out at the tune of $2500! No recall just a service bulletin. Yeh ok - No help either from the dealership. Now the suspension is wearing out at the tune of $500- after 52,000 miles. This is a daily driver truck driven by my wife. Buyer beware. For a $45000 plus vehicle when new and make sure you figure in your maintenance costs. Or make sure you buy that extended warranty (that I usually dont believe in) I thought Toyota meant quality.

• 

  Malfunction at 90 miles - 2008 Toyota RAV4
  By wpenny - November 29 - 12:20 am

  I am disappointed with the 2008 Rav4. I turned a corner last night, pressed on the gas and the car jerked and three major malfunction indicator lights came on (4WD, VSC and a lamp). Toyota does not know what the codes are and needs to contact Toyota engineering. 3-weeks old and malfunctions. Should have stuck with the Camry

• 

  Good looking, Stiff ride, Over Priced - 2003 Toyota Tacoma
  By Motaco - November 28 - 10:00 am

  Good strong V6. Good exterior design, possibly exellent reliability. Overpriced. Seats are cheap and uncomfotable. Designed by midgets. Very uncomfortable for a midsized man. steering wheel, Shift lever, gas and break pedals are not well placed. The ride is too stiff and the seats are not cushioned well, bumpy on freeway. The steering is is too hard + poor positioning making it laboring to turn. Uncomfortable long distance ride. Occational rattling noise in the dash board area (nothing new here). Stupid clock position. High wind noise. Worthless cruise control: bad, bad location and jack up the speed when accelerate.

• 

  Loss of product and service quality - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By First & Last Toyota - November 26 - 10:00 am

  Purchased Camry for Toyotas product & service reputation. Within 1000 miles, drive train (transmission) began to shift either very hard, or slipped; had very uncoordinated shifts. Dealers told me I was too sensitive, cptr was still learning, and everything else to make me go away. Most every discrepancy was dismissed, or pencil whipped without maint. Toyotas quality of product AND service have been denied. They finally admitted to a problem, only to dismiss me once again because another Toyota on the lot did the same thing...thats like a tire company saying its OK and considered normal for a tire to come apart and explode when another tire does the same. I wont purchase another Toyota.