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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  2012 Camry LE - 2012 Toyota Camry
  By dparler - March 18 - 1:50 am

  Bought new 2012 LE model at the end of May. This is a really good car and it seems that the interior design is a huge improvement over the older 2011 & prior models (which I tset drove). I got silver with ash (grey) interior. Bluetooth was standard. Even the cupholders and radio knobs are better ! The ride is extremely smooth, steady, and comfortable. I compared to the Hyundi Sonata which I think is the closet competitor. Camry won out on price, and (in my mind) has a better track-record on reliability. Gas mileage is an improvement too ... almost totally around town/city Im getting 26-27 MPG.

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  Warranty isnt worth the paper wrote w/ - 2008 Toyota Camry
  By Chelle - March 17 - 8:06 pm

  My 2008 Camry has been consuming oil it a serious extent, took to dealership they tear down my motor, tell me to bring receipts of oil changes to turn in on the extended warranty. Did that from the body shop it was changed in. Now the dealership doesnt want to fix the car and didnt even turn in my receipts for the warranty to cover the damage to the car. Carbon build up apparently means lack of oil change to them but to everyone who knows better its a common build up form low grade fuel, or rich air/fuel mixture. Watch your car and your dealership, they are border line criminals they way they try to justify making there money they are a joke and will go to court and be made to fix car!

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  Sienna over Odyssey - 2005 Toyota Sienna
  By Richard - March 17 - 7:13 pm

  I considered only Sienna and 05 Odyssey. The "deal-breaker" -- Siennas rear seat audio (not expensive DVD) option, allows rear seat paxs to listen on headphones to audio even if cabin audio off. Hondas only on leather option, w/ DVD. I ordered XLE w fabric seats. "Picking nits"-- Sienna - rear windows open, 05 Odyssey does not; Siennas max torque comes on lower in RPM, though Odyssey has more and more h.p; Sienna - telescoping steering wheel, driving position felt more comfortable; Siennas suspension smoother over rough roads; MPG right on sticker #s. Odysseys seats seemed more comfortable, but after a 5+5 hr trip, Siennas did fine. Odys floor storeage not easy to use;

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  Camry just dont die - 2004 Toyota Camry
  By Joseph Oliveira - March 17 - 1:07 pm

  Greatest car my dad ever bought

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  Big Problems - 2002 Toyota RAV4
  By Ravlight - March 17 - 6:43 am

  Im very displeased with the quality of this vehicle. I had numerous small problems that required several trips to the dealership, plus at only 60K, the AC compressor needs to be replaced (not covered by the warrenty). That and the fact that it is extremely underpowered, very noisy on the highway, and the back seats are very difficult to take in and out. It is very good on gas, rides and handles great in the city and has ample cargo room.

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  Best Car Ive Owned - 2001 Toyota Echo
  By John L - March 17 - 3:43 am

  We bought this car new in 2001 and almost 9 years and 93K miles later it is still running perfectly. Zero problems. Routine oil and filter changes, new tires and new brake pads are all its had. Dont expect a sports car or a luxury car. We bought it for high quality, reliable low-cost basic transportation and it has delivered and then some. Wonderful little car.

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  Head rests from Hell - 2010 Toyota Camry
  By steve leyton - March 16 - 11:43 pm

  As the owner of a 2002 SE stick-shift, I have been very happy with my Camry for a quarter million miles. With all its improvement, I expected the 2010 6-sp auto to be better. It is, in most ways, but lets me down in a few key areas. The fuel mileage is way off though it is driven on the highway 90%. The seats are not as comfortable, especially my main problem: the extremely uncomfortable angle of the front headrests make it impossible to find a good driving position. The placement of the mirror control is too far to use correctly. The seat fabric is a real turn-off. Every other feature of the car is either as good or much better than my 02, especially the power.

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  The good, the bad, and the . . . - 1999 Toyota Sienna
  By jgp - March 16 - 8:26 pm

  Bought this van new as a replacement for 1989 Mazda MPV. Good power and handling (for a minivan) and a very comfortable highway cruiser. Adequate luggage space with all seats up and excellent with rear seats folded or removed. Good size - longer than the MPV and shorter than the Chrysler, Honda, etc. Generally good reliability except for the power sliding door (see below).

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  great truck - 2004 Toyota Tacoma
  By patz - March 16 - 2:13 pm

  I have only put 900 miles on in the first 5 months, put away for winter, love it so far, hopefully gas mileage gets better with more miles, 14.5 in the city,

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  Camry LE in the snow - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By Colorado - March 16 - 1:33 pm

  I purchased my Camry with stock tires. After the first snow, I purchased a set of Michelin snow tires. My car does as well as the small AWD cars and maybe the smaller SUVs. I am sure I would have problems if the snow is too deep.