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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  much better used - 1997 Toyota Camry
  By budapest1 - October 8 - 1:05 am

  This is a good and reliable car.Ive not owned it long.about 6k now and so far just had to replace the transmission seal gasket-$150.the struts upper spring seat(this is it)has to be replaced its a 20 dollar part for each side (kyb)and the noise stops.http the part is here. ://www.ebay.com/itm/Monroe-Front-Left-Right-Upper-Strut-Mount-With-Bearing-/181103286083?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Model%3ACamry&hash=item2a2a98d743&vxp=mtr.

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  Keiths Opinion - 2006 Toyota Tacoma
  By Keith Hamel - October 7 - 5:36 am

  Fun truck. Good 4 passenger pickup. 4.0 v6 lots of power. California freeway driver here. Was looking for a Tundra, not needed. Live in No. Calif. Ran to Las Vegas last week.. very, very nice.

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  Baby Lexus? - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By Curt I - October 6 - 7:43 pm

  Overall, a very competent car. Some have found the transmission shifts too much, but its only trying to keep the engine in the 2000-2500 rpm range around town where theres some torque available. If youve owned a manual shift sports car, you will know what its trying to emulate. When the engine is cold, the acceleration off the line is very sluggish, but it is quite adequate when the engine warms up. (Well have to see what this is like in a New York winter.) Overall, a lot of thought is evident: the auto- off headlights, the little drawer for keys, etc. So far, its trouble-free, except for a squeak from the dash -- which you wouldnt hear if the car werent so quiet!

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  Lurches forward - 2009 Toyota Avalon
  By judy hooper - October 5 - 7:50 pm

  Would love 2009 Avalon except for one major problem. At unexpected times after I brake the car begins to move forward. This has happened to 3 different drivers. I cannot stop this forward movement. It caused me to rear end another car at a band drive through. Toyota dealers will not acknowledge problem since they cannot duplicate problem. Car has 3000 miles on it and I am afraid to drive it. I have been told that I am the first person to report this in the U.S. I feel robbed. This is going to happen again.

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  Disappointment - 2003 Toyota Corolla
  By dan kramar - October 5 - 7:43 pm

  Having bought Toyota in the past and knowing of corolla reliability and fuel economy we purchased ours used from a dealer with 60000kms on it. I drive all highway. It has cost us a transmission rebuild (its a manual) for differential bearings and now tranny wont shift into fourth all the time. Wheel bearings go quickly and car is so loud from wheel/bearing noise you have to yell to be heard. Im done with Toyota.

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  Safety Issue - 2004 Toyota Tundra
  By WJM123 - October 4 - 10:00 am

  The limited visibility to the rear, through the drivers window, makes it impossible to tell if someone is in the side view mirrors blind spot when you are trying to shift lanes to the left.

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  203k miles and still going strong - 2001 Toyota RAV4
  By andymick32 - October 3 - 5:30 am

  Great Toyota Reliability. Have owned for 12 years with no major mechanical problems. It has been the most reliable vehicle Ive ever owned. At 203k miles now and think I should hit 300k. No rust on the body in a bad NorthEast climate. Not the most exciting vehicle to drive, but it is very economical with a solid 4WD system. You really cant beat Ravs for their overall value.

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  Honest Opinion - 2008 Toyota Prius
  By SR - October 2 - 5:30 am

  Hybrids are the shape of things to come, & from my test drives of available makes, Toy is on top of the game as usual. Driver & passenger comfort good with impressive haul space. Fun driving? Hey, its a single gear electric car! Heres my honest take of pros & cons. The Prius is a great car for city, flat highways & perfect conditions. Its biggest downside is over engineered aerodynamics. Introduce a hill, kiss your mpg goodbye. Introduce wind, kiss your wife goodbye. Handles snow & ice superbly, gravel & bumps are Kryptonite. A quick car, after the initial hesitation from a standstill. Tires wear 30% faster. Dangerously quiet for pedestrians. Buy the service contract.

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  Good SUV But Needs Improvement - 2001 Toyota Sequoia
  By Bob - September 30 - 12:00 pm

  I purchased a first model year Sequoia new. The vehicle handles great in snow. The high road clearance and 4 wheel drive will get you through any weather condition except icing conditions. The front and second row seats are comfortable for adults. The third row seats are only suitable for kids. I dont think that the reliability is up to what you should expect from Toyota or a vehicle costing just under 50K. The brake computers went and it took three weeks for Toyota to figure out how to repair it. My 4-wheel drive just died. The throttle computer broke. I have had to spend about $3,500 a year for the last two years in repairs. Interior creature comforts are lacking

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  First SUV purchase - 2016 Toyota RAV4
  By bob silver - September 30 - 11:47 am

  It was a tie between the RAV4 and the Honda CRV. My daughter, whose car this is, selected the RAV, citing that the RAV felt more like a sedan and she wanted a truck feeling plus she liked the layout of the RAV BETTER