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:

• 

  Bought at 10 years old - 1997 Toyota T100
  By Bigdog - April 8 - 9:40 pm

  Came to me with 144,000 miles on it. Drives great on the highway, straight and true and smooth. Takes the bumps like a pickup, but then thats what its called. Previously owned a 79 4WD Toyota, and this is like a Cadillac to me. Reasonable sized rear bed with the extra back seat for shopping and inside packages. 4WD sits as tall as all its bigger brothers and sounds great! My wife drove it into the end of the garage and with a new bumper and headlight, it looks the same as before. Tough truck!

• 

  ABS ISSUE - 2008 Toyota Corolla
  By tenabell - April 8 - 8:53 pm

  My 2008 corollas ABS have now caused me to be in 2 wrecks..they lock up completely and my car just slides.If the roads even a little wet its worse..I was told most likely a faulty sensor?? Anyone else with ABS issues?

• 

  Beautiful mini SUV to drive. - 2005 Toyota RAV4
  By Patricia - April 8 - 2:50 pm

  Although Ive only been driving it for a week now, I love it! Its a beautiful car with a great drive. Toyotas are reliable cars. The RAV4 has a smooth drive and the comfort is a plus. The exterior is also beautiful. Its a great small suv for someone whos tiny like me! Its easy to drive and very spacious. Id recommend it to anyone!

• 

  Good value - 2004 Toyota Sequoia
  By rob328ic - April 8 - 2:33 pm

  We bought an 04 4WD SR5. We have a dog, 3 kids, and travel with lots of stuff (kids 4, 2 ,4 mos). Rides well, no build issues. Fit finish ok (a few panel gaps). Mileage has been poor but typical. This is a 4 speed trans too. Older 4WD has not been an issue, we live in Maine and works well. But it lacks little things. 2nd row lock for seat fold up to enter third row. No fold flat. No remote start option or camera accessible cup holder in 2nd row. Lack of lateral support in front seats. No power lift gate (my wife has tough time reaching this). Overall IÂ’d consider a Suburban or Denali over this if I made the purchase today on a new 07-08. Used however IÂ’d get the Toyota.

• 

  Reliable - 2007 Toyota Matrix
  By tsiok - April 8 - 8:47 am

  Our 07 Matrix is reliable. We needed that, since I work so far from home and cant be of much help if mom gets stuck and needs help. BUT, the amount of maintenance needed and the intervals of those appointments puts a strain on my alloted amount of days off!! OMG! Every month or so I "need" a preventive maintenance appointment. Dont the designers of these vehicles realize our lives dont revolve around the vehicles like theirs do? Expensive P.M.s also! Never will buy again. Back to Chevy! Also, maybe you can check into the morals of your dealers! Lost me and more than a few others too.

• 

  I love my Prius - 2006 Toyota Prius
  By Kent Pollock - April 8 - 5:46 am

  I bought a 2006 Prius in December 05 and have put 12,000 fun and trouble- free miles on it. I got the "loaded" version with all the options including the navigation system and so far everything has worked flawlessly. Fuel mileage has been excellent although the 61 mpg in city driving requires a lot of gas pedal finess. A recent trip from Phoenix to Denver netted 56.8 mpg. My only complaint is that the mapping system is outdated, probably by about 2 to 3 years. Toyota should offer free or inexpensive updates every year. I would buy another Prius in a heartbeat although Im hoping Im still driving this one 5 years from now.

• 

  Its not JUST the gas mileage! - 2007 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
  By Bergma - April 7 - 11:40 pm

  Ive been cringing when I read reviews from people saying that next time theyll go for a gas vehicle to get more "umph". Its ALSO about doing something about the environment. Look at all the cars around you idling at red lights. They are all putting out green house gases and you are NOT. Im averaging 30.4 MPG. Its fun to drive and seems solidly built. The second row seats are more roomy than my past 2002 Sienna, and my teenaged skinny son sat in the 3rd row seat at an angle and was OK. Wouldnt be good for 2 people larger than your average sized 9 year old.

• 

  Rattles front and back - 2005 Toyota Avalon
  By T. Wagner - April 7 - 8:33 pm

  Since having my vehicle, my first Toyota, it has been into the dealership over 10 times. A few of my visits have been ones where the car was kept overnight. Why? Dash rattles, trim rattles, windshield rattles that just keep coming back. The dealer has replaced many parts but yet has found a "cure" that lasts over two weeks. That is up front!!! Body rattles in the back were finally eliminated by epoxy caulk after many visits. Both the windshield and back windows have been replaced to try to quiet the rattles. The dealership has been diligent and professional. I have had many vehicles over the years, new and old, but never one with such rattles that persist.

• 

  Good Reliable Car - 2002 Toyota Camry
  By ilovemycar - April 7 - 9:13 am

  This car is very reliable and has great gas mileage. My average has been close to 28-30 miles and on long road trips about 31-32. Its not the most exciting to drive but it is reliable and very low maintenance.

• 

  Not wat i expected- But overall OK - 2009 Toyota RAV4
  By intelinside - April 7 - 1:00 am

  I bought this used 2009 Rav4 in Nov- 2009. there are many small issues that we can not see when test driving, listed are a few: 1)THE CUPOLDER "like a smile can tell a lot about a person" same way a well designed cup holder can tell you a lot. The cup holders have a rubber mats without which nothing will fit in them cos of the oval edges, Try drinking coffee from the cup holder and the rubber mats gets snuggly tied to the flask. cant fit any thing having a handle. 2) on a snowy slushy day, lot of snow and slush got on to the tire fender covers and due to high winds weighed it and broke the PLASTIC rivets and the cover rubbed with tire and destroyed the front cover, cost 500$ not covered.