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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  Extremely disappointed - 2009 Toyota Corolla
  By Nicole - August 20 - 3:14 pm

  I wish I had had the car checked out by my mechanic friend before buying. I spent way too much on this car thinking Id finally have a reliable car only to have so many problems with this one!!! Im so frustrated right now. The transmission just went out after already spending money on it to get it fixed up. It looks great like theres nothing wrong with it. Ive only had it for three months. Im so bummed that I wasted my money on a worthless car!! Please think twice about buying this car, especially not a 2009. Those apparently have the most problems. Little did I know.

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  Extremely disappointed - 2009 Toyota Corolla
  By Nicole - August 20 - 2:37 pm

  I wish I had had the car checked out by my mechanic friend before buying. I spent way too much on this car thinking Id finally have a reliable car only to have so many problems with this one!!! Im so frustrated right now. The transmission just went out after already spending money on it to get it fixed up. It looks great like theres nothing wrong with it. Ive only had it for three months. Im so bummed that I wasted my money on a worthless car!! Please think twice about buying this car, especially not a 2009. Those apparently have the most problems. Little did I know.

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  From a 14 TRD SPORT, to 16 Taco to 16 Tundra. - 2016 Toyota Tacoma
  By SOCO TACO - August 20 - 12:04 pm

  I owned a 2014 Sport 4X and put almost 40K miles in two years so this about as fair as you are going to get. The redesign is 1000% spot on. Gauges are better to see, console is not a small box, the truck interior fits. Its now the correct size. Big improvement. The smaller 3.5 Lexus based engine is a big improvement for response. The previous 4.0 would move, but it took a little to get it going. With the 3.5 it wants to go and maybe a little too much. There an electronic trans control which manages the RPMs, and shift points and it feels like a 25hp kick. Push the button and stomp the gas and it will leave the 4.0 handily. At almost 5000 feet here in Colorado the "ECT" button is nice, but if you are not towing or need it in elevation I doubt you will ever use it. With the 14 I would have liked a 6spd and now I have one, and that is the biggest flaw in the 16. The transmission shifts too much and at the slightest grade. The old 4.0 would chug up a small hill and the 3.5 has to barrel up it full throttle and kills the hwy mpg. On flat ground, with a little tail wind I am sure the 16 will top close to 30 hwy mpgs. Toss in a grade or headwind and forget it. My 14 pulled 24.9 from Durango to Colorado Springs and that included Wolf Creek and Leveta Pass with the I-25 climb home. I read where Toyota went to a 2:90 rear end gear from a 3:25 in the Gen 2. The 16 autos need a lower rear end gear to smooth out the auto and aid in hwy mpgs. The Gen 3 is better laid out on the inside, handles and brakes better, and is noticeably quieter. The complaint about it being noisy is false. The power is there plus extra. The headlights are not quite as good as the 14 but close. I like the 16 because of the improvements, but in hindsight I would not have traded my 14 because of the auto transmission shifting issue. If you have a Gen 2 wait for awhile to see if there really is an issue with the trans or its just a few of us with it. TW forums has a list of threads from people with the 6spd complaints. I traded that Taco. Transmission is junk. Cannot tow like the 4.0, and a big disappointment. Take a look at the used lots, they loaded with gen 3 Tacos. Would not recommend this if you tow where there are mountains. Skip it for a few years, Toyota has some serious work to do with the trans and engine combo. My 16 Tundra is a dream, but its big. If you drive with fuel economy in mind, you should be in the low 20s. What 16 struggled towing the Tundra doesnt notice, and it shouldnt. Wish I still had my 14 Taco, but the Tundra makes up for it in Aces.

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  Reformed Gas Guzzler - 2010 Toyota Prius
  By tjpultz - August 20 - 8:33 am

  I traded in a loaded Jeep GC LTD that got 14 mpg for the Prius that so far gives me about 45 mpg. A whopping 300% improvement in fuel economy! The money Im saving on gas pays for my car insurance every month. I was concerned that it wouldnt be big enough for me because Im 63" but the leg room at 42.5" is better than most vehicles of any size. Performance was another concern but 0 to 60 in 9.8 seconds is more than adequate for anybody who isnt racing. Overall I think this is an outstanding vehicle that I would recommend to anyone. You can tell that Toyota has made every effort to keep the Prius on the cutting edge. As one of the other reviewers said, "its like driving a space ship".

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  Great Car to Have and to Hold. - 2007 Toyota RAV4
  By Ms Cherry - August 20 - 7:56 am

  I got this car for my dog, but I fell in love with it after the first month. I get so many compliments in parking lots. It really drives like a car. Before purchasing this car I test drove a Suzuki, a CR-V, and a BMW X3. I decided to go with this car because it does not drive like a truck, its very smooth and quiet, and because has good fuel efficiency.

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  The Best - 2005 Toyota Corolla
  By David - August 19 - 4:36 pm

  My S model has been very reliable. I had over 84,000 miles on it and driven over 35000 miles a year to work. I recently was in a severe car wreck involving 2 18 wheelers and my car got the bad end of the deal. I escape with only bumps and minor injuries due to the excellent construction of the Corolla. The car received major damage, but the drivers compartment was intact. I walked away from the crash and the Corolla was still able to run even with the front end destroyed. This is a great car and I will get another one as I feel very safe with the Corolla.

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  This Car RULES!!! - 2004 Toyota Celica
  By yeahimgood7474 - August 19 - 10:00 am

  This car is the equivalent to mechanical Viagra. It has so much potential as a tuner car, and is a nice breath of fresh air from the Eclipses and Civics. Its also a fun, yet smooth ride, with nice seats, low to the ground, that give it a really racy feel. As far as all-around performance goes, it can dance around cars as good as the RSX, and gives other sporty compacts a run for their money. This car is definitely worth owning, and the fact that you know it will last you a lifetime only makes it better.

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  Overall Great Car - 1999 Toyota Camry
  By Geoff83 - August 19 - 10:00 am

  I bought the Camry in April of 2002 and have had no major problems at all. The car is great on gas milage and has adequate power on city streets. Besides normal wear and tear the only issue i have had is the passanger door window motor which was inepensive to replace. Only complaints are that the rear cup holders are easily broken, that the car rides low or the suspension is too giving that the car scrapes its undercarriage alot on bumps, and that the stereo has no lights on the buttons to see at night; only glow in the dark stickers.

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  fun to drive - 2004 Toyota Highlander
  By willhite - August 19 - 10:00 am

  It has been a good ride so far. About average fuel comsumption. Much better ride than my Ford Explorer.

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  Best Ever - 2004 Toyota Sienna
  By great van - August 19 - 10:00 am

  This van is the best ever! Great power and room. The family loves the ride and I love the engine and handling (yes its a van)! My dealer was excellent and I shopped around to several stores, but this was the best experience and would highly recommend the van and the dealer...but shop the other dealers first and great the best experience in Lincoln!