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:

• 

  Excellent Reliability, Great for Families - 2012 Toyota Camry
  By onthe4frnt - July 28 - 12:53 pm

  I drove the 2012 Toyota Camry LE for approximately 3 months/3500 miles as a daily driver with 60% highway/40% city driving. First impressions were very positive. Its a Toyota, its rock solid reliability and build quality are unmatched. The cabin was incredibly quiet, the 6-speed automatic transmission very smooth. The gas mileage was very impressive, yet didnt feel like it compromised power (for its class). This car would be great for relaxed drivers and families looking for excellent value.

• 

  Excellent Ride - 2005 Toyota Highlander
  By jimgraz - July 28 - 6:20 am

  This is a phenomenal automobile. I have never been this happy with a purchase, and it is even better since my wife and I had our first child. Great safety and comfort with tons of room. Perfect car for starting a young family. Also reduced our insurance premiums due to its safety features and record.

• 

  Reliable transportation - 2001 Toyota Corolla
  By downsb - July 28 - 5:36 am

  This car is a very reliable economy car. That being said, the economy part should speak for itself in terms of interior room, comfort, etc. Short on inside space and features, but fairly easy to customize or add to. Small but fairly peppy 1.8L engine gets me an average of 34 mpg, and as high as 41. Excellent turning radius, and very good at maneuvering in heavy traffic, as well as very good field of view. Perfect for a small commuter car. Excellent for students, as its fairly inexpensive to repair in most cases (for a foreign vehicle). Only complaint is that it has a problem with oil consumption.

• 

  Toyota Needs to be more customer oriented - 2016 Toyota Tacoma
  By Jassoa - July 28 - 2:50 am

  The biggest problem with this vehicle is the lack of power seats. The manual seats do not adjust up or down so many will have to buy a cushion to see over the elevated hood. Acceleration is mediocre and needs performance enhancers. Not real agile on the road compared to the 2010 Nissan Frontier that I regretfully traded in.

• 

  Fantastic Family Car - 2000 Toyota Avalon
  By mom_of_three3 - July 28 - 1:04 am

  We bought this car used (5 yrs old, in 2005)when I was 6 months pregnant with our first child. Weve had NO issues with it at all. Weve replaced one battery and two sets of wiper blades in the 5 1/2 years weve owned it, and it now has 210K on it. Its incredible, really. Its no longer when parked beside any other typical sedan (my in-laws had an Acura 3.2TL) but my mind finds it hard to understand where all the space inside comes from! My 6 tall husband can sit in the back seat with the front seats all the way back and his knees dont touch the front seats-we love that the backseat isnt just for the kids. Definately room for everyone in here!

• 

  New Prius - 2007 Toyota Prius
  By Bill Cawthorne - July 27 - 10:30 pm

  This new Prius carried us through the south east of Arizonas mountains and deserts with a comfortable, efficient, and quiet weekend. New to us were the hybrid drive and the electronic technology. Im old school where my transportation equipment is concerned. This car is an absolute pleasure to drive. Not as powerful as a 5 liter Mustang, not even close. The Honda civic that we traded in could not make the acceleration that I experienced merging onto I-10 in Benson, AZ. I had misjudged the traffic and opened the throttle. The gasoline and electric combination proved itself then. The electronic equipment calculates the mileage and was verified accurate at the pump at 52 mpg for the trip.

• 

  Good Car, Sloppy Transmission - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By Andrew - July 27 - 1:36 am

  The added molding gives the SE a very clean and sharp look. The sunroof actually comes down and slides between the exterior and interior thus minmizing wind noise at speed. The leather interior is worth the money. The power seats have excellent "adjustments". The Bluetooth option works perfectly. The gas milage is pretty close for highway milage. In short, the car is nearly everything you can expect for the $29.4k version. However, the transmission is sloppy. It is something I have just come to my mind that I will have to deal with it. It shifts at unusual times on deceleration thus making your breaking non-constant (you can feel lurches).

• 

  Pleasant experience - 2010 Toyota Prius
  By britjunkie - July 26 - 11:46 am

  Im quite surprised by the performance of the car. No trouble keeping up and passing on steep mountain interstate. Mileage after a whopping 160 miles is 52.4! A/C is colder and better than my old V8 [2007]. I had rented a series II last year and found the dead spot in the steering unacceptable. This steering still has a little dead spot but Im sure Ill either forget about it or just accept it. Typical Toyota quality. My wife hates little cars but is very impressed with this one, says she wont mind driving this around town.

• 

  Everything is just right - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By JB - July 26 - 7:16 am

  Car was bought one month ago, its running perfectly, Acceleration is perfect for a 4 cyl. Dont expect V8 acceleration, the days of the old big blocks are gone! The interior is so very quiet, you must compare this car to a Cadillac. Dont buy this car if you want to race, it wasnt built for that. You cant have it both ways, either a car is full of power and stiff suspension or its smooth and comfortable on the road. I love it for what it is... a comfortable quiet ride!

• 

  Im happy with this car - 2004 Toyota Prius
  By greatest car ever - July 26 - 7:00 am

  My Prius had been owned by the city of Chattanooga. It had minor damage to the front. I bought it with @12k. on it. I love the car and for me to say that is a real tribute to both the build quality, comfort and economy. I get pretty consistently @44 mpg around town and the highest I have ever gotten is 51. The car would be better served, however, with other radio options. Cant adapt an off the shelf radio because the radio in the car is integral to the function of the display. With gas prices approaching $3.50 this car is wise choice and I am doing something for the environment that I respect.