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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  Unacceptable wind noise - 2006 Toyota Sienna
  By frank brown - May 17 - 1:20 pm

  This is our second Toyota minivan. We traded in our 2004 for this 2006 for the added features including additional safety features. This loaded xle limited 7 passenger 4dr fwd is an improvement in all areas except in road noise. We dealt with a different dealer than the one that sold the new vehicle to us because we felt that he failed to address the problem. Even with the different dealer, and a deal where we paid half the cost of replacing the awful original equipment tires (in hopes of reducing the noise) the expence did not fully remove the noise. To us, the noise sounds like a vent is open, or, air leakage is occuring around the doors. Please offer a reasonable solution to this problem.

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  mold, wet carpet - 2013 Toyota Highlander
  By Vanna - May 17 - 12:31 pm

  After 2yrs purchased the car, I have a problem now that the water leaked inside the car. When it rains, all the carpet is wet, especially the driver seats carpet is soaked with water. I removed all the carpet out to clean, now the car has the mold smell, every morning my 2 sons sneezed (allergy from the strong smell of the mold in the car). It happened last week when it rains, I started to pay more attention about it and double check why it leaks in the car. I cant find any solutions and it rains again in the last 3 days, my car is getting worst so I took it to the local Toyota dealer service for them to check. I found out that my car is not the first one that has a problem, and after the diagnosed theyll fixed it by replaced the whole car carpet. After a week that they fixed my car, the car is now still have that mold smell and my sons still have allergy every time theyre in the car. Ill sell it as soon as I pay off the car. I suggest anyone to review it carefully, so you wont run into this problem at Toyota. I live in Hayward, California. This review on March 7, 2016.

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  Looks Good to Me - 2002 Toyota Celica
  By Mr. Car - May 17 - 10:00 am

  this car is truly a pleasure to drive. a real eye catcher.

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  Celica GT-S (auto) - 2000 Toyota Celica
  By MedicGuy - May 17 - 10:00 am

  Ive been driving my Celica for over two years now. Its been a very reliable piece of transportation. Im somewhat disappointed in the high reving powerband. Even in the "sport" tiptronic mode, I find that it has minimal power to move across intersections or through traffic. Once the engine reaches full "boil" performance is better. Interior and exterior fit and finish have held up well over the last 2.5 years. It requires Premium grade fuel, so expect to pay out the $1.62+ at the pump.

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  VALVE TRAIN NOISE!!!!!!!! - 2002 Toyota Tundra
  By rrcarson - May 17 - 10:00 am

  nasty sounding valve train noise at start ups even for short time after driving, possibly a lifter???? any solutions contact me,please. DEALER IS NO HELP!!??? why cant they hear it??? funny huh??? only 34,000 miles, come on Toyota, step up to the plate here...whats wrong with all are trucks???? all I want is the noise fixed is that so much to ask???

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  Time To Get rid Of My TOYota - 2001 Toyota RAV4
  By toy time - May 17 - 10:00 am

  Sadly disappointed in reliability department. Have had the brakes replaced numerous times and had to have to computer replaced at 10,000miles and reflashed again at 22,000 miles. Poor customer sat from toyota. I previously owned a 98 Camery and to date was the best vehicle that I owned. Sorry Toyota but after the service I received and the numerous problems with this vehicle I will GLADLY take my business elsewhere.

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  THEE best SUV out there - 2002 Toyota Sequoia
  By Biggy - May 17 - 10:00 am

  This SUV is all out. It can do anything you want it to. If you are a slow driver it can go slow, if your a fast driver, it goes faster than you can handle. It has the most room in the back row. Dont you see how after this car came out, all the other fullsize SUVs and midsize SUVs came out with the third row? I dont know but I lov this car and it is thee bomb.

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  Awesome Car!!! - 2003 Toyota Corolla
  By J.T. - May 17 - 10:00 am

  This car is fun to drive. It looks good and has a great feel to it. I just drove it on a 600 mile trip and it handled great. I noticed I had driven 140 miles and the needle was on 3/4 of a tank. Wow!

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  Fabulous Camry - 2002 Toyota Camry
  By Fred Motorhead - May 17 - 10:00 am

  Toyota has really outdone itself with the all new 2002 Camry. The car rides wonderfully, handles well, and is extremely quiet in even the four cylinder model. The Camry has lots of room and luggage space. The gas mileage is great.

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  2015 Corollary LE Plus fits the bill. - 2015 Toyota Corolla
  By Jonathan Tuck - May 17 - 4:41 am

  I needed a replacement for the 2013 prius c I had been leasing and when Toyota sent me an offer to end my lease early for another Toyota vehicle I decided it wouldnt hurt to just look. I had been doing research on the new Corolla as it comes with features my Prius C didnt have - fog lights, rear camera and heated mirrors - all important here in New England. Took an LE Plus for a test and was pleasantly surprised at the acceleration and handling. While it might not be a Mazda 3, having now put almost 4k miles on it including a 1500 mile trip mostly highway, I cant complain about my average of 44mpg combined. Im not a lead foot but getting that kind of highway mileage when having to keep up with the flow of traffic I consider to be pretty good considering my Prius c only got 46-48 highway and my wifes full size prius gets about 53. Its not unusual to be able to get 50 on our country roads and state highways. For a larger person the comfort is good and there is plenty of interior room - even the back seats are comfortable. In what I was looking for regarding performance, reliability, comfort and trunk space with the added benefit of Toyotas always spectacular gas mileage I have no complaints. While it isnt the sporty car some want, has perhaps less room than for others and not all the fancy techno toys the rest may want - instead of excelling in any or all categories rather it performs well in most. An above average car that gives reliable and comfortable transportation at a reasonable price with exceptional mileage thrown in as a bonus. Maybe not the car for those with the most discriminating tastes - but for the rest of us just perhaps exactly what we were looking for - and thats how and why Toyota designed the Corolla the way they have.