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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  Excellent, Fun, Fast and Fuel Efficient - 2003 Toyota Prius
  By cbmd - April 21 - 10:00 am

  This is the most technologically advanced car on the road and its Honda competitors are not even near the usefulness or speed even though slightly more mileage with Insight. My Prius has had three small problems. Tire wear was the worst, but a tire or wheel change should fix it nicely on the 2004 model. Toyota and the dealer replaced the tires and have done all servicing without any charge.

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  lousy tires and poor brakes - 2003 Toyota Corolla
  By hamisch - April 21 - 10:00 am

  The positive points of this car are; reliability, fuel economy-I get 30-32 MPG in mixed city/highway driving, interior room and handling. The negative aspects are; The OEM tires made by Firestone,they are by far the worst tires I have ever owned. After about 3 or 4 thousand miles driving on a wet highway was like driving on ice. I had them replaced at 16,000 miles-the lowest mileage that I have ever replaced tires at in my life and I have been driving for 28 years! The other problem is that the brakes seem to be undersized,the car should have better braking capacity. The last point is that the front roof pillars limit visibility a great deal.

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  Pings - 2003 Toyota Camry
  By palka - April 21 - 10:00 am

  My 2003 Camry has been good. The Ride is nice, its comfortable and roomy but I get a pinging type sound when I accelarate. You can only hear it when the drivers side window is open not inside the car. It doesnt effect accelation but the noise is annoying and I dont know what it could mean down the road. Ive been to two dealership who agree there is a noise or pinging type sound but dont know what to do about it. I would be curious if any one else hears this noise on their 2003 Camrys

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  Buyer Beware - 2004 Toyota Tundra
  By pmaqua - April 21 - 2:50 am

  Although this is a great driving and good looking truck, after just 3 years and 64000 miles it is falling apart. It is driven as a family car and is not used as a contractors truck. 1st the overdrive sending unit went out at 61000. Next the limit slip differential broke after driving from a parking spot over a curb. Now the tranny is going! We bought a 100K bumper to bumper extended warranty from the dealer - NOT WORTH THE PAPER IT IS PRINTED ON!! I have had to pay for all repairs. So far over $3000. P.S. POOR gas mileage and eats tires - on 3rd set. Also on 3rd set of brake pads.

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  Covers the Bases - 2003 Toyota Sienna
  By Good Van - April 19 - 7:26 pm

  We owned a 1999 Dodge Caravan before purchasing the 2003 Toyota Sienna Symphony. The Dodge interior was more comfortable and easier to use, but the Toyota is by far more reliable and much safer. I love Toyota reliability, and their pricing is much more competitive when compared to Honda. The 2004 has fixed most of the faults of this van, but there are a couple that bug me. It is very difficult to get into the third row of seats because the second row does not flip up or move easily to create space. Theres only one car seat latch in the second row, and its attached to the floor of the vehicle. The power door cannot be stopped when its closing. Theres too much body lean in turns.

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  05 LE-V6 Improved? - 2005 Toyota Camry
  By Neil T. - April 17 - 5:16 am

  A loyal toyota camry owner, I traded my 2000 LE-4 banger with 150,000 miles on this 05 V6. I can say that I am happy with the car...typical toyota, rides smooth, quiet, good service from the dealership, and a price that does not require a second mortgage. The V6 is peppy and takes the car down the road quickly. Careful tho, its easy to break the speed limit. Is it better that the 2000 overall? Probably not. This one has a rattle in the drivers side door. Aggrevating!!.. The 2000 was a tank, even at 150K miles...never rattled, probably never will for whoever has it now. Biding my time for a new 07. Dont be afraid to buy a camry...

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  Vibration Driving me crazy - 2006 Toyota Highlander
  By rena - April 16 - 6:33 pm

  I have only owned Toyota vehicles, a Celica, 4 Runner and now the Highlander. All in all I like the Highlander, however I do have one big gripe, for some reason, when the car is on, but not moving or moving slowly, the car vibrates (which can lightly be felt in the steering wheel, foot pedal, and seat). I took it to services at the Toyota dealership and was told that it was the motor idling and the sales manager even told me that this was a glinch in the 2006 four cylinder Highlander model. I dont know.

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  depenable - 2003 Toyota Tacoma
  By lambd - April 16 - 10:00 am

  this was an economical buy. it gets me to work, kids to school, and good gas mileage. It seems like it is a solidly built truck and is definately holding its value so far this year.

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  2008 Camry - 2008 Toyota Camry
  By Dennis Lauterbach - April 15 - 3:36 am

  So far after 100+ miles of driving, the Camry has the comfort, quietness and pep that the Camry is known for. There is no question that this car is rock solid. Toyotas quality with the unibody welding rather than the rivets by their competitors will make this another hit for Toyota.

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  Warning bad exhaust manifolds - 2006 Toyota 4Runner
  By richard - April 14 - 10:00 am

  Warning just having my vehicle serviced not under warranty with 55,000 miles on it for. Get ready cracked exhaust manifolds. That s right these ex manifolds have the catalytic converter apparently built inside them. Both sides cracked cost $3500.00 U.S. What? You must ber kidding me. In 40 years of owning every type of car imaginable. Never have I needed to replace these items. 3500 dollars 9 hours of labor and the parts. This is total crap. Where is the quality. They apparently did another one a 2005 last week or two with exactly the same nonsense. Toyota. Hello how about a total recall for this major defect