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:

• 

  Acceleration - 2009 Toyota Tacoma
  By Dennis - April 14 - 10:00 am

  I have enjoyed the truck very much from the sound system to the way it handles in snow. I recently have been having a problem that Toyota tells me I have to live with. If I come to a complete stop and than try to accelerate quickly to get into traffic my engine does not respond, almost like it chokes it self out. Toyota is telling me the computer has gotten used to the way I normally drive and will not let me accelerate quicker than normal.

• 

  Some good, some bad - 2011 Toyota Sienna
  By random1 - April 14 - 10:00 am

  We use the minivan largely for road trips with the family, dog, and gear. The good - very nice looking, quiet and comfortable. Build quality/reliability should be excellent, everything fine so far. Powerful engine, cavernous interior, very nice steering wheel! The bad - the cheap dash plastic and faux-wood trim are horrible. Climate controls are awkward, dash layout is pretty poor, radio controls hard to reach from driver seat. The front cup holders are huge-good luck using them for cups that normal size. Amazing that all these simple things are so poorly executed. The van handles like a boat-its soft and floaty even for a minivan, Honda and Chrysler both drive better.

• 

  This is the best car Ive ever owned - 2006 Toyota Prius
  By spaam2021 - April 14 - 1:57 am

  The gas savings is obvious -- Im getting 50MPG with 90% highway driving. If I drive in the city only, I can get 60+MPG. My fuel costs went from $200+ per month to under $100 with barely any effort. The car has also been highly reliable. After all this time Ive owned it, it didnt need anything beyond basic maintenance. Sometimes it doesnt even need anything beyond an oil change. I also LOVE the interior in this thing. The Start ignition button, joystick shifter, LCD dashboard, multifunction display....it all looks very futuristic to me. I wish the car has a temperature gauge on the LCD dashboard and that it is more comfortable to ride, but otherwise, its an extremely great car!

• 

  Not as good as its predecessor - 2002 Toyota MR2 Spyder
  By gurunumber2 - April 10 - 10:06 pm

  I used to have a 1991 Toyota MR2 until January of this past year when it was taken from me in a rear end collision aka hit me going 70 while I was stopped. I purchased this vehicle thinking it felt so much like the last model. I was wrong. I am thinking about selling it now even though it has only been 11 months. It is so small, much smaller than the previous model. It also doesnt handle as well. Granted it is a good ride, but not as good as the 1991-1995 model year. I have spun out a couple times... once I ended up on the sidewalk... fishtails way too bad. Last car didnt have this problem. This car is too lite and not practical for a daily driver. Fun in good weather with the top down.

• 

  A Diamond in the Rough - 2004 Toyota Highlander
  By JET - April 10 - 6:16 am

  Best car Ive ever owned. This car is not indicative of the current problems that Toyota is having. A totally reliable automobile that offers everything you need in an SUV. I never had to take this car in for any major problems, and you can even hear the engine at idle.

• 

  Luxury Toyota - 1996 Toyota Avalon
  By vinster29 - April 10 - 2:00 am

  I have had my Avalon for 8 years now and it has been a great car to drive. I love the larger interior and big trunk too. The A/c and heater are ten times better at cooling and heating than my Lexus. The ride is excellent and the engine is awesome. The paint does chip off really easy but overall this car has been the best Toyota that I have ever owned.

• 

  Initial response - 2004 Toyota Matrix
  By NewMatrixOwner - April 10 - 2:00 am

  Overall an excellent vehicle. I upgraded from a 1987 Accord hatchback and this was the best match in terms of price, mileage, and utility (it is basically a larger, 4 door version of my previous car). In picking up my Matrix XR, however, I noticed the fog lamps didnt work - hence my build quality rating - it was easily fixed (need a fuse put in), but should not have been overlooked by Toyota (especially since they delayed my getting this car for a QC check). Also, try not to buy the "teflon coating" for the paint, just wash and wax it yourself. I will give an update in a couple months.

• 

  2004 Prius -- Early Experience - 2004 Toyota Prius
  By davebizzak - April 10 - 2:00 am

  Vehicle has suprising acceleration due to electrical motor assist. Start/stop of engine while driving are seemless and hardly noticed--not noticed if you are listening to the radio. Ride is quiet and controlled. The most striking difference between the Prius and other vehicles is the small steering wheel, which takes some getting used to. In short, there is not a more technologically advanced vehicle on the market, at any price. Its too early in life to rate reliability, but I have been impressed with build quality and past experience with Toyota suggests that reliability will be good.

• 

  My two cents - 2001 Toyota Sienna
  By sams123456 - April 10 - 2:00 am

  The syling and engine performance has been good. However, I have had this van at the dealership 12 times for alignment and tire problems (The first trip was immediatly after purchase when the fvehicle was new - about 200 miles). I have never had similar issues with other vehicles, so I am convinced that the alignment and tire probles relate to a design issue with this van. I like the JBL system and captian chairs. The controls are easy to use.

• 

  Reliable under any conditions - 2001 Toyota Camry
  By woodsj - April 10 - 2:00 am

  We bought our Camry when our other car died at 60,000 miles. We were looking for a comfortable car, with some nice bells and whistles, that we could drive happily for 100,000 miles or more. The Camry has the performance we look for on the highway, in the snow, rain, and everywhere.