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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  Dream turned nightmare - 2007 Toyota Tacoma
  By Bill - August 4 - 11:20 pm

  Purchased new 07 Toy to replace a 03 Honda Oddy after much research. Wanted 4 wheel drive. We love driving it when it runs. It has been back to the dealership 4 times and they cant figure out what is wrong. It just will not start. We park it, go to bed and get up in the morning to a truck that wont start. We really like the back country but now we are afraid to go there as we never know whether our toy will run or not. This is our 4th Tacoma, so we thought we were getting quality.

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  2009 Toyota Camry - 2009 Toyota Camry
  By meeka - August 4 - 11:53 am

  I like the car...it is definitely a lot quieter than my old car but, I have the worst time parking it...I am 5 tall and just realized that there is no center marking on the hood of the car so the driver could judge when the car is straight into the parking spot. Unless the driver can see over the hood to the front of the car, there is no way to judge. (I have the seat all the way up as high as it can go) I was also a bit disappointed with the finish of the car and the gas mileage...I am getting 22 mpg...less than with my old car...dont know why...Anyway..I do like it and would recommend it to someone else...a taller person maybe....

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  Best Truck on the Market!!!! I LOVE IT! - 2004 Toyota Tacoma
  By JacksonDean05 - August 4 - 10:23 am

  This is the first NEW vehicle I have ever bought. Ive now put 5,000 miles on my truck without a single problem. No sqeaks, rattles or anything. I think the gas mileage is great for a truck. Try to find an extended cab 4x4 truck now adays that gets 20 mpg in the city!! Fit and finish is top quality. I love the compact size and Im 64". I think there is plenty of room. Lots of storage area in the cab believe it or not. The reason I got this truck was because of the cult following they seem to have with them. Now I know why. I dont know about the new redesigned 05s but I am sure they will be just great. Great Truck off road it will handle anything you can through at it.

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  A Solid Ride and a Lot of Fun to Drive! - 2016 Toyota Tacoma
  By Dennis Gale - August 4 - 2:22 am

  I was looking to replace my 2005 Avalanche (which I loved) but the size and price of new full-size trucks really turned me off. Started looking at the mid-size trucks and settled on a Tacoma. I looked around and found a good deal on a TRD Off-Road, 6.1 ft bed, 6 cyl model Tacoma with the automatic transmission. Had read all of the early reviews about the transmission/engine combo and the gear hunting. My truck did the gear hunting as well for the first 500+ miles but now it is smoothing out nicely. What previous reviewers failed to mention (or check out) is that the transmission is an adaptive transmission and it will adapt to the drivers driving habits. I called the dealership where I purchased my Taco and a service specialist explained the adaptive break-in of the transmission. He told me to drive the truck like I normally would and he was right. The transmission has smoothed out and the truck is performing well - certainly meeting my expectations. When I punch it, it responds nicely. It is a real pleasure to drive - feels very solid and has plenty of power for what it is. What it isnt is a full-size behemoth that surrounds you in a huge cabin with bell-and-whistle overload and handles and feels like a boat. Im fascinated with the amenities that it does have - navigation and sound system is great. Love the auto stick which allows for upshifting and downshifting like a manual but without having to push a clutch pedal (more leg room). Interior and controls are laid out nicely however I am not crazy about the position of the 4wd knob - too close to all of the other similarly shaped control knobs and easy to mix up and put in 4wd when you are not looking at it and think that you are turning on the fan. My first towing experience has also gone smoothly. Those who tow will love the back-up camera which is positioned in a manner that allows the driver to easily position the hitch ball exactly under the trailer hitch without exiting the cab. This is my first Taco and I couldnt be happier. The mpg is climbing and I have experienced as high as 23-24 mpg on the flat at 65 mph. Around town I am getting about 20-21 mpg. Towing about 3,000 lbs my mileage dropped to about 17 mpg but that also included a 1,000 ft gain in elevation. Some reviewers complained about headroom but I have found that there is plenty of headroom - I am 510" and have several inches to spare above my head. the room behind the seats in the double cab is huge - they fold down flat and create a very spacious platform for carrying gear, luggage, etc. Overall, this truck is very well-engineered and if you are looking for a truck that is solid, practical, responsive, fun to drive, and that wont break the bank, the 2016 Tacoma is the way to go!

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  Corolla CE - 2007 Toyota Corolla
  By Charles - August 3 - 8:56 pm

  I got a great deal on this little car more than a year ago and wanted to write a review. Its been a great for in town and it drives well on longer trips. Our two children fit easily in the back seat and the trunk has plenty of room for short trips. We have a manual and our average gas mileage is 32 mpg in town and 38 mpg on the hwy. I think it is the best bang for the buck when compared to other manufactures. My experience has been great with all Toyota products.

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  Good carÂ… if you get a good one - 2008 Toyota Corolla
  By Dave - August 3 - 10:10 am

  The 2008 Corolla is a good car… if you get a good one. I bought this car because my wife and I really like our 2007 Matrix, which is in essence a Corolla wagon. Both cars have the same engine and transmission, but you would never know it. Our 2007 Matrix is smooth and quiet. The 2008 Corolla has a loud knock when the engine is cold, that diminishes when the engine warms up, but does not go away. When I had this checked out by the dealer, they confirmed it is piston slap also known as cold start knock, but informed me it is considered “normal” for this engine. I find it irritating to listen to this. I wish I had test driven the car when it was cold, before I accepted this car for delivery.

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  Perfect for Tucson, AZ - 1998 Toyota RAV4
  By desert rat - August 3 - 9:23 am

  Bought this 98 Rav4 in 2001 for driving around town and light off-road excursions. It has been extremely reliable and performs well in Southern Arizona. Handles well in tight spots and seems to be holding up to the rugged road conditions in "The Old Pueblo." Took it off-road a few times and the AWD was perfect on dirt roads. The 4 cyl. engine is a little underpowered, but great fuel economy. No major problems in over 3 years.

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  Great ride, excellent performance - 2006 Toyota Avalon
  By R Chen - August 3 - 7:53 am

  As everyone stated, it is a great car. It is has a very nice ride, especially for family vacation. Great performance in terms of acceleration, passing, corner handling, and smoothness. Luxury interior design makes it no difference from Lexus LS. You get more luxury for your money.

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  FJC rocks - 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser
  By Tom Deckowski - August 3 - 4:23 am

  Happy to say that the FJC has been everything I hoped for. The truck is designed to be utilitarian and very functional. The ride and quality are first rate and the performance is very good. There really havent been any items to complain about. I even love the fact that the truck does not need premium fuel so my running costs are lower. The fact that its such a cool looking truck is just a big bonus.

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  Very Nice Car - 2008 Toyota Prius
  By Doug - August 3 - 3:16 am

  Weve had the Prius (package #2) for three weeks (~ 1200 miles). Its a very nice, comfortable car. It doesnt take long to get adjusted to the different controls. It feels very solid on the road and handles nicely. The acceleration isnt great, but certainly good enough for all reasonable driving, including freeway. The gas mileage has been outstanding, 50 - 53 mpg overall.