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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  Ill keep buying them. - 2006 Toyota Corolla
  By Cathy - July 10 - 7:13 am

  My last Corolla was a 1991 which I kept for 12 years. I tried a RAV4 but it had too many minor problems, so I traded it in for this car, used at 9000 miles. I find it has less power than my 1991 had (even at its advanced age) but that might be due this one being automatic. It is extremely comfortable to drive and really looks sporty. Ive found my forever car... my next will be a Corolla - in another 10 years!

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  Unplanned Purchase, but so Far, so Good - 2011 Toyota RAV4
  By chuck17015 - July 10 - 4:31 am

  I wasnt planning to get another car for another year or so, but when the postcard came in the mail, I went to check this vehicle out. Took the test drive and liked the ride. I was coming out of a Honda Fit, so driving this around felt like driving a beast, but I kinda liked it. The Fit was a nice little car with great gas milage, but I just wanted something a bit more capable. Also, the Fit was rather a slow vehicle for something so small. Im happy to say The Rav4s base 4 cylinder actually is quicker than the Fit. The handling is good, not as good as the CRV I once drove, but still solid. The ride is smoother than either of the other vehicles. Still, the gas milage is pretty low.

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  A Two-Hybrid Family - 2004 Toyota Prius
  By Ivo Planarian - July 9 - 2:46 pm

  We just got a 2005 Prius to go along with our 2000 Honda Insight, which has given us 121,000 trouble-free miles so far. We got Option Package #6, which is EVERYTHING. Its a true luxo-cruiser, as quiet and smooth as any Lincoln Town Car and with enough techno-spiffy gadgetry to keep anyone amused, including a nifty GPS and a JBL in-dash 6 CD changer, radio and cassette player that sounds better than the stereo in anyones home. The climate control is silent, unobtrusive and draft-free, keeping the interior the temperature you set and all the glass clear totally unnoticeably. I have had no trouble keeping its mileage above 50 city and 60 highway so far without any sacrifices whatsoever!

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  Toyota Tundra SR5 TRD Package - 2017 Toyota Tundra
  By Ray Lyons - July 9 - 2:01 pm

  Nice truck, handles well, comfortable, smooth ride. Only thing missing is a few bells and whistles that are on comparable Ford/Chevy trucks. No turn signals in mirrors, no power rear window, no dual climate controls. These were standard on my old 2010 Toyota Tundra 4X2. It would have been nice to have these, but I gave them up for the long term benefit. I expect my Tundra to last a lot longer than the other pickups on the road. Too bad Toyota cut back on these on this model, you have to get the Limited, Platinum to have these included. Fuel economy is not as good as the other pickups on the market, but I didnt buy it for fuel economy. Otherwise very happy with the purchase.

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  Disappointing - 2016 Toyota Camry
  By Eileen - July 9 - 12:44 pm

  I have owned or leased a Camry for over 15 years so when I test drove this SE I didnt go far and thought the seats were uncomfortable but I didnt pay much attention to anything else - figuring it will be just as good as the others I have had. The car has been in the garage for a week and I took it out last night and to my surprise what a crappy, bumpy ride - I literally pulled off the rode to see if I had a flat. Took it on highway and the more I increased the speed the bumpier it got, the seat cushion is so thin you feel like you are seating on nothing and feel every bump from the road and the steering wheel vibrates to the rough ride as well. We have the car a week and I called the salesman last night and emailed him this morning. I hope I have some options to turn this back for a different car because I hate this car and shame on toyota for building such a piece of crap.

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  Disappointing - 2016 Toyota Camry
  By Eileen - July 9 - 12:44 pm

  I have owned or leased a Camry for over 15 years so when I test drove this SE I didnt go far and thought the seats were uncomfortable but I didnt pay much attention to anything else - figuring it will be just as good as the others I have had. The car has been in the garage for a week and I took it out last night and to my surprise what a crappy, bumpy ride - I literally pulled off the rode to see if I had a flat. Took it on highway and the more I increased the speed the bumpier it got, the seat cushion is so thin you feel like you are seating on nothing and feel every bump from the road and the steering wheel vibrates to the rough ride as well. We have the car a week and I called the salesman last night and emailed him this morning. I hope I have some options to turn this back for a different car because I hate this car and shame on toyota for building such a piece of crap.

• 

  Disappointing - 2016 Toyota Camry
  By Eileen - July 9 - 12:44 pm

  I have owned or leased a Camry for over 15 years so when I test drove this SE I didnt go far and thought the seats were uncomfortable but I didnt pay much attention to anything else - figuring it will be just as good as the others I have had. The car has been in the garage for a week and I took it out last night and to my surprise what a crappy, bumpy ride - I literally pulled off the rode to see if I had a flat. Took it on highway and the more I increased the speed the bumpier it got, the seat cushion is so thin you feel like you are seating on nothing and feel every bump from the road and the steering wheel vibrates to the rough ride as well. We have the car a week and I called the salesman last night and emailed him this morning. I hope I have some options to turn this back for a different car because I hate this car and shame on toyota for building such a piece of crap.

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  spacious ride - 1998 Toyota Avalon
  By petras - July 9 - 6:03 am

  The xls has a nicely appointed, spacious interior yet exterior dimensions are fairly modest. mileage is around 21/30 city/hwy. Overall reliablily is very good although watch for noisy front suspension due to bad strut support mounts, $400 to fix, also my car has some occasional squeaks/rattles from glovebox area, I definitely would buy an avalon again.

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  I love it - 2005 Toyota Prius
  By W Bush - July 9 - 1:23 am

  What a great car with Toyota quality. No noise, plenty of room, fast and fun to drive. 55 miles per gallon. I love it

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  Disappointing Powertrain - 2003 Toyota 4Runner
  By Gary Abraham - July 8 - 8:30 pm

  I am very disappointed with my 4runner. At 3000 miles it developed a driveline vibration when it is driven between 50 and 70 mph. Toyota head office tech reps could not fix it. Between the dealer and head office I have been given the run around for 15 months. I hope they replace the truck, if not I will have sell it soon. Buyers beware...