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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  Safety Hazard - 2016 Toyota Tacoma
  By Taco Owner - April 2 - 2:02 am

  In all honesty if not for the engine and transmission this would be my favorite truck I have owned. Looks are flawless in my opinion and comfort is what Id expect from a 4x4 truck. But thats the best Ill give it. On day 3 of owning the tacoma my check engine light came on with the most awful vibration. I immediately took it back to the dealer to find out 6 injectors needed to be replaced. While there I reported a bad delay in going from park to drive, and this especially concerned me backing out of my driveway in the mornings going to work, a couple times up to 5 seconds (imagine sitting in the highway 5 seconds stalled). After three visits to the service dept about this they check the transmission fluid to find it is nearly a quart low! This is still within the 1000 miles and they claim they cant reproduce it. I reproduced it in the truck with the mechanic and that still got me no where as "thats normal". As the other reviewers also mentioned the throttle response and shifting is horrible. They are ABSOLUTELY CORRECT. Nearly every day I press the gas pedal moderately and it gets hung in the wrong gear, bogs the engine, begins to slow slightly, so I press harder. Suddenly after a few seconds it decides to rev very high and jump into far too low of gear (or out of gear completely) and significantly slows the truck. I completely let off the gas, coast down the highway, and wait for it to shift back in to gear (again stalling in the highway). All while the service manager says the shifting is "normal with these new electronic transmissions". If you dont mind a truck that will stall you in the middle of the road, buy this truck. Otherwise go buy something else. It is obvious from the transmission fluid and characteristics of this transmission this truck never saw a day of quality control or testing.

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  ok rental. lots of space. great city, bad freeway - 2016 Toyota RAV4
  By jsohiorenter - April 1 - 6:12 pm

  Very attractive little suv, esp with the alloy wheels, which were above and beyond the entry level offerings for other comparable vehicles. Nice. For a small suv, great cargo space and overall roominess. The powertrain is really great and smooth up to about 35 and accelerates nicely. But get this thing going faster and the engine seems to really labor, buzz unpleasantly, and the transmission seems to get confused, searching for gears then delivering some really hard shifts. The trip display computer is not as intuitive as those in other cars. Lots of wind noise from the windshield. Ride was very good and there were no rattles or squeaks, good considering it was old by rental car standards, pushing 30k. The freeway ride was a little unsettling in that steering was imprecise and floaty. the driving position was pretty good, but would have appreciated a seat that raised up a little higher and the console armrest was too far back to be useful with a hand on the wheel. Ergonomically, it gets a big F just for the window switches alone. your left arm almost has to reach awkwardly around the door handle to get to the power windows. Bad design here. No long term review as I only drove it for three days, but probably wouldnt buy it. Brake pedal modulation was terrible. you have to push the pedal a few inches with no resistance or response whatsoever, then a sudden grab.

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  The Sweet Spot - 2007 Toyota Corolla
  By middleoroad - April 1 - 5:46 pm

  The Corolla has moved into the sweet spot in the American car scene that the Camry held for years.The car is as big as a 96 Camry inside and will meet most drivers needs as well. The Camry has become more car than most of us need now. Gas prices have many Americans looking for a new sweetheart. Corolla is much more refined than before. The ride is smooth and quiet and there is plenty of power. The fabrics are even Camrylike, soft yet durable. Everything seems to be right where you would have put it yourself. Just the right car at the right time.

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  Fabulous Car - 2005 Toyota Prius
  By thymetobe - April 1 - 2:33 pm

  I love this car. You need to know that unless you are constantly in bumper to bumper traffic you will not get 60 mpg. A dealership service department told me 43 was the average. Still not too shabby.

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  Love it - 2005 Toyota Tundra
  By JR - April 1 - 1:36 pm

  l purchased because my brother has one. And he puts a 4x4 thru its paces, so l knew it was one tough truck. Although it is primarily the family hauler, its going to be used for its 12" ground clearance purpose occasionally and plenty of power for hauling the camper. Back to back driving the Ford 5.4, the Tundra kicked it power wise. lt drives like a luxury car and get almost 20 mpg hwy.

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  A Marvelous Car - 2005 Toyota Prius
  By bob mc - April 1 - 1:06 pm

  I have only had this car a very short time,but I truly think that this is the wave of the future. It is a real value, I purchased the package#1, the basic model, it it is very nicely equipped. My average mileage is now 45/mph , and has gone as high as 52.It is comfortable, all controls are very accessible, extremely quiet, and a lot of fun to drive. The only fault I can find with it , is the upholstery, very light in color, and seems it would get dirty quite easily.The interior room is very good, lots of cargo space, with and without the back seats folded down. This is a marvelous car, and I would recommend it to anyone.

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  Tacoma not perfect - 2014 Toyota Tacoma
  By Mike NADLER - April 1 - 12:14 pm

  The Pre-Runner TRD. Is a very good looking truck but : rides rough, low roof when entering, E-tune audio system marginal, dash center pod hard to read in sunlight, driver seat back wearing poorly.

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  Toyota the BEST - 2003 Toyota Sequoia
  By Guillermo - April 1 - 10:00 am

  All around great SUV. It has power, space and look. What else do you want? I love it

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  I love it! - 2001 Toyota Prius
  By David Block - April 1 - 10:00 am

  When you are sit at a red light, the internal combustion engine stops and you run just on electricity! Its like a golf cart. The car gives the feeling that it has stalled out, but it is fully functional! I LOVE that! I also love that if you run the car in Los Angeles, the exhaust is cleaner than the ambient air!!!! Not a month goes by that some stranger stops me and asks how I love it. And I do. Its a brilliant concept. They do it very well. Oil changes are every 7500 miles, and Toyota has paid for every one of mine. The only thing I have ever paid for is a new set of tires.

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  mr2 spyder rocks - 2003 Toyota MR2 Spyder
  By sexys - April 1 - 10:00 am

  mr2s have awesome handlin and comfort they are aforrdable and sexy. treat yourself to a test drive at thousand oaks toyota