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:

• 

  A Bullseye for TOYOTA!!! - 2007 Toyota Yaris
  By AladdinSane - June 1 - 10:26 am

  I test drove a Yaris Liftback after seeing one parked near my home recently. Its "da bomb", so to speak. I liked what I saw. The one parked nearby was white on white, brand new, and I fell in love with it immediately. Im aiming to get mine, if I go with it, in Blazing Blue Metallic. My Lady dug it too. Its a winner!!!

• 

  Hit 200,000 miles today - 2001 Toyota Tacoma
  By cst010 - June 1 - 9:10 am

  Hit the 200K mark today. What a great vehicle so far. No major problems to date. Vehicle is well maintained with all scheduled maintenance performed by the dealers.

• 

  2012 Prius Two - 2012 Toyota Prius
  By Randolph Murdock III - June 1 - 4:00 am

  Good car, very comfortable for someone who is average build and 58". Interior materials are chintzy, but well laid-out. I have had the car a little over six months now, and have had only normal maintenance. The one nagging thing with this car is the right air vent near the passenger door. It refuses to stay locked in place, after having been replaced. I have learned to live with it, as it doesnt pop off, but does not fit flush with the rest of the dash. The Entune stuff is not that useful, as the few apps on my phone are far better. The bluetooth connection with my tracfone is flawless. I love getting an average of 46mpg in winter mixed highway/city driving. The USB and power ports work, but are very oddly placed in the center console and under the hump between the seats in the front. The road noise is acceptable, but a bit on the loud side. I know part of this is due to our not-so-great roads. I am now a bit over a year in owning the car, and still getting ~46mpg average. The right air vent problem I have had is gone now, as a friend of mine found the proper tool to pop it in and out with for the cabin air replacement, and it has stayed in place since. I am not sure why the selling dealer doesnt have the tool. Life has been boring with this car, as there is nothing to do but regular maintenance, and washes... my kind of car!

• 

  Perfect - 2008 Toyota Yaris
  By ylime3499 - June 1 - 1:56 am

  I recently went car shopping for two cars. My first one was a Nissan Versa hatchback, and the second was the 08 Yaris S type. I got a little carried away with adding things on to it like cruise, a sun roof, tinted windows, etc., and my total came out almost $4,000 more than my brand new Versa. I found that very disheartening, especially since the Versa came stock with cruise and the features I had to add. I was even told that the Yaris S type can not have power doors and locks added on. I find that very hard to believe, but thats what I ended up with. Other than the price being more and the non auto lock/window its perfect for going around town and a little interstate.

• 

  Impressed - 2007 Toyota Sienna
  By Chris68 - May 31 - 11:30 pm

  We bought this van to replace a 2002 Sienna. All had been improved between the two models. Interior is a lot roomier and more practical with the third-row seats folding into the floor. Power, handling and braking gave us confidence, along with the safety rating. This last point was a life-saver when the van got rammed on the drivers side by another van going about 70 kmh. While the other van (an earlier Sienna model similar to our old one) was totaled, the 2007 Sienna looked like it could have left the accident on its own. No injuries to the occupants! Had she used almost any other vehicle, my wife would not be alive today. Will keep using Toyota vans.

• 

  Love My Hot Little Ride! - 2000 Toyota Celica
  By Jessie - May 31 - 3:43 pm

  I call him Sherman Tank as he ranks #1 in crash test ratings for sports cars in his division. Got rearended a week after purchase. I bought b/c I had long drives home from work and wanted to have fun while being stuck in a car. Its a "get noticed" fire engine red car and for all its looks, it runs beautifully if you take care of it. I unfortunately bought it used and they did not disclose that the air intake and filter were installed by previous owner and now I have to find places to clean my high performance filter instead of just replacing normals ones. Overall - it rocks!!! I will keep until I buy a newer version!

• 

  4 runner 2011 - 2011 Toyota 4Runner
  By yermack - May 31 - 9:47 am

  Ive bought 11 model more than one year ago v6 4L. It feels really big but controls are easy and comfortable. Heating-cooling controls do not work properly-you cannot adjust normal temperature. the gas mpg is pretty good for this monster especially if ECO mode is on. Driving very smooth and slow that annoying in the city traffic.

• 

  FRAME - 2001 Toyota Sequoia
  By rodrider - May 31 - 5:05 am

  The car is ok but totlaly disapointed with the way the frames rust, my 2001 model has a bad frame rust

• 

  2011 Camry manual transmission - 2011 Toyota Camry
  By joseph_66 - May 31 - 4:54 am

  Just picked the car up on 12/28/2011. I have owned Toyotas for years. I had a 2003 Corolla for 8 years and a 1993 Toyota pickup truck both very reliable. This car is incredible and fun to drive. It feels like a sports car that is a sedan if that makes any sense. Been driving stick for over 40 years, ride a Harley in the summer. This car is my winter Harley. Just plane fun to drive, yet quiet and comfortble when I needed it to be. Cant say that for a Harley. For my first tank of gas combination city and highway, I got 26.7 MPH. I think that is pretty good. I got down to a half tank after 260 miles. So this says I can probably get 500 plus miles to a tank of gas. Thats impresive.

• 

  Great Car with Caliper lower Pins noise - 2010 Toyota Prius
  By Steve Cook - May 31 - 3:33 am

  This is our second Prius. We purchased a 2007 new and have loved it with no problems. My experience so far with the 2010 Prius is that it is an improvement in almost every way over the 2007. One problem arose after a 1000 miles or so. The lower pins in the front rotors rattle loudly when I go over certain bumps, ruts, manhole cover dips etc of which there are many in our area. Our dealers service dept says that this is a known problem with the 2010, with no current solution. I have taken to driving with my window up so I dont hear the noise. Our Service Manager says that Toyota is aware and working on a solution.