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:

• 

  I love my Solara (except for one thing) - 2004 Toyota Camry Solara
  By MaryM - February 6 - 6:03 pm

  I love my car. I am pregnant for my third child so I probably will have to sell it *crying inside*. But Im going to hang in there with it until it gets unbearable. It drives wonderful and has the get up and go I need. It only gets about 16 mpg city but it doesnt matter I love it still. The only problem I had with this car is with the trunk release. This has quit working on me twice already. It does not have a way to open the trunk besides the inside release (by the gas door release) and the keypad on you keyring. This is the only thing I dont like about it. At least give me a place where I can stick my key in to open the trunk! With that said the car in perfect to me!

• 

  Fooled by Toyota - 2010 Toyota Venza
  By sam063 - February 6 - 5:13 pm

  I bought a 2010 AWD 4cyl Venza in early April10. I was assured no recall. 3 weeks later I got the recall notice for gas pedal, but they have no fix for the problem yet. Do not bring to dealer.(ok- sure) Have major problem with brake surges and not sure if going to fully stop sometimes. Brought to Toyota and they cut my rotors. I have 4400 miles on my car. I am very disappointed and leery to drive my car that I am absolutely stuck with as I cannot trade it at this point. Not a good feeling.

• 

  Pleasantly Surprised - 2012 Toyota Prius v
  By garyb7 - February 6 - 4:10 pm

  I purchased my Prius V in December 2012. I wanted 40 mpg and there are few cars in this class. I considered the Ford C Max, but to get a drivers seat with lumbar support, I had to upgrade to the SEL model, while the Prius 2 package has lumbar support. And C Max has not been getting the mileage as advertised. The V rides well and Ive been averaging 40mpg so far during winter driving... (Minnesota). The car is very comfortable and feels very similar to my old Pontiac Vibe. The seats are very comfortable and the interior is much roomier than the Prius liftback, especially in the front. My only complaint is the car is a bit slow. Overall, Im very happy with my purchase.

• 

  Got Skunked! - 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser
  By jcngang - February 6 - 1:33 pm

  Our FJ is black, and with the white roof we nicknamed it the Skunk... we just added tint to the windows all the way around and love the change it made in the look and feeling inside. I originally considered a Honda Element, Nissan Frontier, and Xterra, but after driving them and then finally seeing and then driving the FJ there was not longer any doubt which one we wanted. We had to drive 600 miles round trip to get one, but it was worth it. Im a photographer and need versatility.

• 

  review - 2012 Toyota Sienna
  By Bob Shilling - February 6 - 9:36 am

• 

  Rock Solid - 2003 Toyota Corolla
  By ragged1234 - February 6 - 6:37 am

  Ten years ago I bought my 2003 Corolla LE brand new, and it has been rock solid in terms of reliability. In the ten years Ive owned this car (115,000 miles) I have had only one repair that was not usual wear-and-tear (air conditioner went out). Everything else has stood the test of time. So I give this car a 5 in terms of value, build quality, and reliability. As for performance, comfort, and fun to drive, the Corolla is admittedly not top-of-the-line (youre not going to win races with this thing or feel like youre sitting in a recliner), and gas mileage by todays standards isnt spectacular. But, I trust this thing just as much today as I did the day I bought it and that says something.

• 

  2010 Tacoma, V6, Blue, Dbl cab, Lg bed - 2010 Toyota Tacoma
  By 2010 Blue Tacoma - February 6 - 5:13 am

  There is a reflection from the 3 sliver rings, and the radio that reflect off the windshield, weather itÂ’s cloudy or sunshine, which is distracting and a minor road hazard. For me being 6Â’ tall the reflection is about even with the top of the center of the rear view mirror. The dashboard L.E.D. lights are orangeish red, are hard on the eyes at night. Engineer that specified this color had to be color blind. Once the warranty runs out, I am replacing this awful color. The fuel warning light goes off when there is about 3-1/2 to 4 gallons left in the tank (just under 1/8 of a tank), and at about 20MPG, thatÂ’s 80 miles, way too early. Being 6Â’ tall, the adjustment for seating is tight.

• 

  Granny Driven - 1995 Toyota Camry
  By d3boom - February 5 - 11:33 pm

  I bought my 95 Camry from my grandmother after she decided to buy a new car. The car had only 116,000 KM on it which is practically nothing for a 15 year old car. It runs well, has been very reliable. Theres some rust starting to form around the sides of the doors, but other than that the car is in perfect condition. Older automatic transmissions are known to get crummy fuel economy ratings and this one is no exception, i get about 7.5L/100k if Im trying which is no great shake, but not bad considering the age of the car.

• 

  Unhappy Toyota Buyer - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By Kris A - February 5 - 8:46 pm

  Having owned 2 Camrys and 2 Corollas, I was a very happy Toyota owner for 20 years. However this car is just not very good compared to those. Poor quality. Cheap, cheap, cheap plastic parts. So many squeaks and noises that the dealer hasnt been able to fix. Just disappointed overall. This Camry has been in for more repairs in two years than all of my others combined.

• 

  Not as good as expected. - 2016 Toyota Corolla
  By DS - February 5 - 6:00 pm

  I recently purchased this car as a replacement for a 2016 KIA soul that had been flooded. This car is not even half the car the KIA soul is. I have had this car for 6 months and it has 1387 miles on it. The brakes are making noise, the car is very sluggish on acceleration. and it gets not even half what it stated on fuel mileage. I will not be buying another Toyota Corolla. I have owned a Tacoma before and it was better than this car and got better gas mileage. If you are considering this car, go actually drive a KIA soul its much better has better features for same cost or less.