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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  Brakes, Brakes, Brakes....... - 2000 Toyota Tundra
  By mgj - November 14 - 2:00 am

  Overall the Tundra is an excellent vehicle with one major exception. Toyota grossly undersized the brakes on there first full-sized pickup. Even worse they have been unwilling to stand by their product. I have 70000 on my Tundra and have already been in for my 3rd front break job with the fourth shortly following. They have finally come up with a fix, TSB BR br00402, which redesigns the whole system. They wont however offer any assistence to consumers for this suppossed fix. ($1200 + fix!!! for a design flaw)

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  2004 Toyota - 2004 Toyota Sienna
  By stsprader - November 13 - 11:13 am

  Bought in May 2004. Back air conditioning control worked on and off. Needed new tires at 40,000 miles. Needed new tires again at 80,000, and new tires wore on front after only 15,000 miles, even after alignment. Brakes needed replacing at 50,000 and never worked right after. Transmission went out at 85,000 mi. and I got rid of the van. Was very disappointed with Toyota quality.

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  Watch out for the Mildew Smell - 2015 Toyota Camry
  By Camry Owner - November 10 - 9:28 pm

  After taking my car several times for problems - I am now stuck with a terrible smell (mildew smell) coming from my vents. They say this is a defect and they are trying to work on the over all issue but nothing they can do at this time. SOOOOO instead of a new car smell I get a smelly basement smell. YAY!

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  Has been to the dealer twice in a wk - 2010 Toyota Prius
  By Mervyn J.Samuel MD - November 10 - 11:23 am

  Bought the car less than 4 months ago. Happy with the gas mileage. Three times I had to jump stat the car. The fourth time, even after charging, the car would not start. I called the Toyota emergency service, was told there is no free towing service for the Prius. We had it towed to the dealer. They reset about 8 codes and said the car was fine. Two days later at noon, the car would not start and had to jump start and took it the dealer. They charged the battery and said it is fine. I think this model has some electrical problem. They should have tried a new battery, but did not do it. The display panel in the middle of the car is not ideal. To look at it, you have to take your eyes off the road.

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  Thumping noise in right rear suspension - 2002 Toyota Camry
  By RussB - November 9 - 10:00 am

  There is a thumping noise in right rear suspension. Washboard roads and streets of Pa cause this noise to be very annoying. Have had to dealer 3 times and still not fixed. Dealer say Toyota is working on a repair for this problem as other cars also have the same problem. NHTSA has other report of same problem. Thought I was too fussy about it until my grandson who was riding in rear seat said Is that noise safe? Also have a sulphur smell from time to time with heat/ac on. They didd repair valve cover gasket but still there is an occasional oil smell.

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  2016 Camry XLE letdown - 2016 Toyota Camry
  By Disappointed - November 3 - 11:07 pm

  No fog lights available so far from Toyota. Only getting 30 mpg on highway driving (calculated--computer displayed 32 mpg). When is the cruise control going to look factory instead of add-on? Ride/handling is fine but overall quality not very impressive in a competitive market. $500 additional rebate started one week after purchasing the car--really stinks.

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  eighties flashback - 2003 Toyota Tacoma
  By Dollar - November 3 - 10:00 am

  Its hard for all of us to believe the price they get for Toyota Tacomas. While relaible ,they are some of the lowest quality interiors next to Kia,s. The small back window,cheap plastic bits and door panels a 5 year old could rip to shreds.Tiny,tinny,and dated comes to mind .I can,t wait till the New Titan by Nissan comes out so I can flog this truck to them .Toyota better update soon ,people are getting on to them .

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  What Else Could Happen? - 2006 Toyota Corolla
  By Jayris - November 2 - 6:50 am

  Okay, so before I fell out of love with this car, I loved it. No problems came along. Nothing what so ever. Now its a different story. Since the beginning of last year, Ive numerous problems out "Toyotas best selling car". First was my drive belt or serpentine belt, whatever that is. Then my transmission started acting weird, so I had the fluids changed and still the same problem. Now its the brakes. My rotors are in bad condition with extremely heavy pulsation and shaking when braking. Ive had service done about three times for the same problem and it still continues. Now theres a recall out. What else could go wrong!? Sometimes I wish that Id never purchased this car.

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  Hated it! - 2003 Toyota Camry
  By Florida Nancy - October 30 - 6:10 am

  I loved my 89 Camry which we had for 13 years til we traded it for an 03. What a disappointment. Never did figure out how to park it straight. I always had to overshoot to get into a parking space. Styling was as exciting as a refrigerator. I traded it in. Dont leave a Camry outside overnight... mine got mildew in the little seams around the car, and if it was wet and I opened the drivers window, water dripped inside right onto the power window buttons. Toyota told me that was OK, I wonder over time if water in the buttons would hurt it? Front and back edges not visible from drivers seat, very hard to judge parking. Wouldnt buy again.

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  The worst toyota I have owned out of 6! - 2016 Toyota Tacoma
  By mike - October 29 - 11:59 pm

  The car shudders when coming to a stop virtually all the time. When the car is cold there is a definite clunk in the rear end when coming to a stop. Dealer says it is normal. I have vibrations and noise in the cabin that I have never experienced in any car. Gas mileage is about 19 mpg on the highway at 75 mph. There is not enough power to stay in 6th gear if there is any headwind or incline. The new transmission is okay at lower speeds but not 75 mph. Gas mileage in town is good at 18mpg. I do not have a problem with acceleration as long as you use the ect button. $39,000 truck does not come with mud flaps or power seats.