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:

• 

  Why I Buy Toyota - 2002 Toyota 4Runner
  By hopdevil - March 6 - 8:26 am

  This is my 3rd Toyota, following a 2WD pickup and a 98 Tacoma. The great thing with Toyotas is that you get exactly what you expect. They dont have as much power as other brands and theyre not as big on creating a luxury interior, but thats not what I look for in a depreciating asset. Like my other Toyotas, routine maintenance is all I ever have to do and that saves me thousands of $s over friends with other brand vehicles. The only expenses after 76,000 miles are a set of tires, pair of rotors, some oil, and some windshield wipers. It still even has the original brake pads. The vehicle is superbly engineered, handles off- road situations very well, and is great in snow and rain.

• 

  Great Truck! - 2005 Toyota Tacoma
  By NICK - March 6 - 8:06 am

  I traded in my 04 Dakota for the Tacoma because the Dakota would bounce and hop like a pogo stick. The Tacoma is smooth and powerful and maintains control over even the worst road conditions. The only problem Ive had so far (and alot of people are having the same problem) is an out-of-alignment cab mount bolt that rattles over bumps, but once you finally find where the noise is coming from, it should be a simple matter of re-bolting it. Overall visibility is excellent. The stock sound system is pretty good, as far as stockers go. I love the seats on the TRD package--the side bolsters really help through fast curves. Overall, its one great truck. And its FAST!

• 

  2007 Toyota Tacoma Access Cab 4WD 4 cyl - 2007 Toyota Tacoma
  By jc01 - March 6 - 7:40 am

  Everything has been upgraded from what I was used to. Coming from my previous 1999 version of this same truck, the 2007 version is longer, higher, wider, stronger and smarter. I am glad that they have made standard the 4x4 mode being switchable from the dash and also improved rust preventation under the chasis by using thicker steel, other alloys, and rust inhibiting paint. Standard features I would of thought would be extra (bedliner, CD, AC, etc.) There is no comparison out there. Nissan, Ford, Mazda, Dodge, and Chevy can only hope to ever match the quality, dependability, durability, and plain sleek/smart design of the Tacoma. The Toyota Tacoma continues to define the small truck genre.

• 

  What were they thinking??? - 2016 Toyota Prius
  By Leonard Levin - March 6 - 6:10 am

  I have been driving a 2006 Toyota Prius that has 150,000 miles on it, and have been very happy with the car. But when the hybrid battery went on it, I decided to consider buying a new Prius. I test drove the Prius 4 Touring, and compared to my 2006 Prius, was very disappointed. All the dashboard displays had been moved from the drivers side to the middle between the drivers seat and passengers seat. So, with the new Prius, when drivers looks straight ahead at the dashboard, they see...nothing! It seems less safe to have to look to the side to view the speedometer or fuel gauge while driving. The 2016 Prius has only one glove compartment, while my 2006 Prius has two...so now there is less storage space inside the car. And the 2016 Prius 4 has no spare tire, only a "tire repair kit," which I was told is like Fix-a-Flat. I have trouble understanding what benefit this tire repair kit would offer me if I hit a pothole on a highway and blew out my tire. I asked the salesman if the trunk includes a well for me to store a spare tire if I decided to buy one on my own. He replied that there is no well, but I could always put the spare tire in the back seat and wrap in plastic. How crazy is that?! I decided to replace the hybrid battery on my 2006 Prius and hope that within the next 2 years, Toyota comes to their senses and corrects these "improvements" they made to the style of the car.

• 

  Good, solid vehicle - 2004 Toyota Sienna
  By justchuck - March 6 - 1:00 am

  Have owned our 2004 for almost 4 yrs. now. Have about 47,000 miles on it. It is built very well in terms of ride quality and noise. There have been two reliability issues, both of which were covered under warranty, a window motor and a speed sensor. The original tires were cheap garbage and lasted only about 40K. The best replacement is for them is the Yokohamas, a steal at about $100 each installed. The Yokohamas are rated for 80K. My only complaint with this vehicle is the gas mileage. We have averaged 17.7 MPG since new, and this is a mix of suburban and highway driving. It will get 25-26 MPG at 60-65 MPH, but only about 22-23 MPG at 75-80 MPH. Otherwise, safe, comfortable, reliable.

• 

  09 Corolla S - 2009 Toyota Corolla
  By Billy Bob - March 5 - 4:30 pm

  More car for the buck! I was pricing a couple of cars at the time, Honda civic and Mazda 3. Ive got to say that the new Corolla by far is the best mid size car out there for the money, I have been driving it know for a month and totally love it! Great on gas and great to drive handles awesome. I also own an 05 Corolla and got to say that Toyota did a great job on the new design, a must to test drive.

• 

  Good Value for the Money - 2006 Toyota Camry
  By AD - March 5 - 9:53 am

  My Camry is solidly built and handles well. Selected the GY side airbag option due to the poor showing without in the IIHS.org testing. Detect minor surging at stop lights and some transmission searching at border shift speeds (much like my Sequoia) but neither is problematic. First tank of gas yielded almost 23 mpg which is pretty good considering it is not broken in and my city driving is excessive. Goodyear tires are definite upgrade with aluminum wheels. Driver and passenger cloth seating is not as comfortable as I would like and the leather option might be worth considering. Ride is quieter than a Honda but still a bit noiser than I would like. Overall, good value for the money.

• 

  Great car - 1997 Toyota Avalon
  By Paul - March 5 - 8:20 am

  This is as nice a car as I ever need to own. The interior is roomy for its size. The ride is very comfortable, though it does not have a European road feel. The engine and transmission are very smooth and quiet. The interior is also quiet. I almost never requires repairs, mostly just routine maintenance.

• 

  Solid Toyota - 2009 Toyota Highlander
  By ReviewRR - March 5 - 2:43 am

  Safe, reliable vehicle. Transmission optimized for fuel economy. With foot off gas, engine cuts fuel to fuel injectors (engine braking) to save fuel and slow vehicle. Fuel cuts back in around 20 mph, which some complain as a "surge" upon deceleration. Excellent in snow! Handles potholed CO roads exceptionally well. Bland, comfortable ride. (Note Sport and Limited models have lower profile tires which are poor, at best, in snow.)

• 

  Highlander just gets better - 2008 Toyota Highlander
  By RDL - March 4 - 11:13 pm

  After having my 08 Highlander Limited, I must say it is one of the best I have ever had! After having many Toyotas, I wanted to try an SUV, and Im so glad! The Highlander has all the luxury I was looking for, and a price at the top of my list. The ride is very smooth and quiet, and the V6 is so smooth and quiet, especially in warm climate. In the winter, it is a little loud until warm up, but that is normal as my Avalon was the same. The Highlander has plenty of room, nice dash, and the premium radio is a must! The bluetooth is great for the cell, and is safe while driving. The navigation is easy, and works well. The Blizzard Pearl is a great exterior color. Great SUV. Awesome !