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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  2011 Sienna - Recall Imminent - 2011 Toyota Sienna
  By DaddyNOTlike - October 9 - 4:16 am

  We have owned this car for less than two weeks. After 10 days, the rear trunk door stopped working. We took it to our local dealership body shop at were told the hinge had a problem, like the Highlander in recent times. They tried to fix it, didnt work. Now we find out the tailgate is bent at the top, so the entire rear trunk door needs to be replaced. At the same body shop, an identical 2011 Sienna (1 week old this time) was parked for the identical same problem. Their door was also bent at the exact same spot as ours and refused to work. The steering has been giving me creaking noises since day 1. Other 2011 Toyota owners have also had same problems w/passengers doors within 1 week

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  Please read before you buy!! - 2002 Toyota RAV4
  By Debbie - October 8 - 10:36 pm

  Purchased my RAV4 brand new. Check engine light was on after about one year. Catalytic conv or O2 sensors were always said to be the reason. At 100,000K it started to slip between 2nd and 3rd gear. Causes major issues! I just received something from Toyota saying that they will reprogram my ECM for no charge now, but unfortunately for me, this defect already ruined my transmission. Do not even think about purchasing a 2001-2002 RAV4 unless you have several thousand extra dollars to replace a transmission and ECM (avg.$4K). Trust me!!

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  Great Car - comfortable cruiser - great MPG - 2012 Toyota Prius
  By tiversen - October 8 - 10:34 pm

  Had to spring for the Prius 5 since the fabric seats in the 3 were the worst (flat with no lumbar support). The leatherette seats in the 5 are awesome. Plus the 5 wheels are nice. The car is quiet, comfortable and can fit five, with room in the back for three to four wheeled carry-on suitcases. With about 1000 miles getting about 49mpg on the readout and about 46mpg using the manual calc method - in 80% hwy 20% city. Short 5 minute trips will only get you about 30 to 40 mpg since the engine has to warm up before it shuts off at stops. Still twice the mileage in the city of any gas miser. Have got up to 75mpg on a short trip when I used only the ev mode (slow excel) up to 35mph.

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  Only car to own - 2005 Toyota Prius
  By G Brach - October 8 - 8:36 pm

  McPherson strut bolts had to be retorqued at 23500. Original tires Goodyear integrity lasted only 22,500. Dealership treatment was EXCELLENT! Have another on order. Get your order in-You wont be disappointed! Car is very fast. Goes by everything including GAS Stations! Wonderful utility with hatchback.

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  Disappointed - 2010 Toyota Tundra
  By disappointed - October 8 - 7:36 pm

  This is my 3rd and maybe last Tundra. It looks and drives great but within a week and 125 miles the check engine light came on. Toyota says its a cam sensor and they have to tear down the engine. To make it worse they are struggling to find the parts . This is another of Toyotas nasty secrets because the dealership new what the problem was the minute they heard. My previous Tundras were great but I think I just made a 40K+ mistake.The only highlight is that the Dealership is really trying to help they are good people.

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  love my camry se !!! - 2011 Toyota Camry
  By 504tlm - October 8 - 6:13 pm

  The 2011 camry se 4 cyc. rides smooth. It drives fast I was on the highway going 80 mph and didnt even realize it. The seats feel like it molds to your body. They have so much leg room.The air is ice cold. I leave my car for 3 hours come back and the inside is still cool (even when its 100 degress outside). The engine is quiet. The truck has alot of space. Its very stylish. I lot of people have told me they love my car. One of the reasons why i bought this car is because of the quality. There is no dipstick to check the transmission. The dealer said you dont have to worry about the fluid level. You just change it when you get 100,000 miles on the car.

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  Better Than Expected - 2011 Toyota Sienna
  By bigcapusta - October 8 - 4:33 pm

  I loved my 2001 Chrysler T&C for comfort and enjoyment of driving. Unfortunately, after 100k miles, the transmission started faltering. I test drove the Toyota, Honda and Chrysler and the Sienna seemed like the right choice. I have been pleasantly surprised that it is a lot more comfortable and handles well on both the highway and in urban areas than I expected and have no complaints there. The gear shift lever is rather jerky in movement. Be careful on basic features. Some things that arent listed as available options at the Toyota site for the model (ie floor mats, undercoating, towing)do not come with the car. You may have to add up to $1000 to the MSRP. Its not my T&C.

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  Love the Avalon! - 2006 Toyota Avalon
  By Becky145 - October 8 - 4:30 pm

  I love everything about this car. It looks good inside and out. Lots of storage, very comfortable and roomy, quiet at ANY speed, easy to handle. I have been told it is a Lexus with the Toyota name on it. Same engine and body as a lower class Lexus. I would highly recommend it to anyone, any age!!

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  Boring and Overpriced - 2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By oildrip - October 8 - 11:35 am

  Where do you start with this strange car. The trunk is taken up with the battery so Im not sure why they bothered with the tiny opening from one rear seat that is capable of folding down, I guess a broom handle can fit through there. Very little trunk space, a few suitcases and its full. The cloth seats are cheap and not very supportive, the leather are much better. The interior screams cheap, the navigation has a very poor resolution display. The winning noise as you slow down drives you crazy in city driving. I find the start and stoping of the engine also very anoying and very noticable in this car.

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  Unsatisfied - 2010 Toyota Corolla
  By Delsher - October 8 - 11:10 am

  I am very unhappy with my corolla S, the vibration of the steering wheel when I stop at the red light is very bad, the RPM fluctuates between 750- 780, and when the heater on sometimes fluctuates between 500-900, went to the dealer and their answer was you are not driving BMW, and that all Corollas vibrate like that.