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:

• 

  The best decision I ever made besides my marriage - 2006 Toyota Prius
  By joyfulnoise - May 15 - 6:48 pm

  Purchased in summer 2006. With just under 141,000 miles, Ive loved this car every minute Ive driven it. Average mix of city/hwy I get 50-55 mpg, with full highway driving 49-53 depending on length of the drive (a few hours vs. much longer distances.) regular gas. It has saved me a fortune in gas and like the 4 Toyotas I owned before it since 1981, it has been continuously reliable. In spring 2012 my hybrid battery died at @128K. I decided: Why buy a new car? Theres none better on the market. Replaced the hybrid battery for $2400, now have another 100K warranty on battery. Few things have been a problem - headlights expensive, struts went at 89K, but virtually nothing else. AMAZING car.

• 

  Transmission Problems - 2009 Toyota Camry
  By First Camry - May 15 - 1:13 pm

  This was my first new toyota purchase. After a lot of consumer report reviews, 2009 Camry was my first choice. This is an excellent, comfortable car to drive. But, we are having troubles with the downshifting on the auto transmission. This transmission can go into a "gear hunt" looking for a gear to drop into when downshifting. Also can drop into a lower gear without cause so the car will nose dive. Camrys had transmission troubles in the past... they could be back for 2009.

• 

  Not so great - 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By Markel - May 15 - 5:10 am

  Very uncomfortable seats. Check engine lights comes on if gas cap is not put back on correctly! Window tinting could be better.

• 

  so far, so good - 2004 Toyota Tacoma
  By Beemer - May 15 - 4:33 am

  For the money spent, the truck could have a few more bells and whistles. A good solid truck so far.

• 

  Best car Ive ever owned - 1999 Toyota Corolla
  By AWESOME CAR - May 15 - 2:03 am

  My 1999 Corolla just hit 100,000 mles. The only repair I have ever had was a tail light bulb. Clearly, the best car Ive ever owned. I drive it everywhere at almost 40 mpg and never have a doubt that it wont get me back home. Thanks Toyota!!

• 

  Third Time is Still a Charm - 2016 Toyota Prius
  By James Jeffries - May 15 - 12:56 am

  This is my third Prius. Yes I love the car and look forward to new things each time I buy. This Prius is the best ever in terms of performance and styling I am actually getting over 55 MPG and when on the road I dont baby it. We love the new interior with its new sporty look and what they did to the exterior is great. All in all we are sold on Prius. Before Prius I always bought American but they simply can not match Prius

• 

  Wow, what a buy - 2005 Toyota Sienna
  By 98van - May 14 - 7:56 pm

  Had to post. 05 CE is my second Sienna. Bought 98 XLE new for my wife. Sold 155,000 with 0 issues. Now @ 165,000 on 05 and again 0 problems. Great job Toyota and I will be purchasing an 09 in the fall close out sales. My van is my office with as many miles that I drive. Signed, Toyota driver for life! Thank you.

• 

  Good if you hate your children - 2012 Toyota Sienna
  By ThatGuy - May 14 - 12:00 pm

  I purchased this vehicle used after owning a 1995 Previa, and a 2001 Sienna, both of which i got well over 300k miles on and never had any real issues with either of them. I purchased this after owning the two other vans thinking i would get the same great usage, and bullet-proof reliability. Unfortunately there is a design flaw with the 2005-2016 Toyota Siennas where the L Bracket that holds the door to the van bends over time with usage, and causes the rear ECU to malfunction, which in turn causes the rear power sliding doors to randomly open. This fantastic feature of the new vans happens at random moments, and random speeds. I contacted Toyota, because my van was out of warranty, at 36,300 miles, "missed it by 300 miles", who continued to indicate that this was a known issue, and that they would cover half of the cost to repair the issue, and i would only have to come out of pocket 5771.00, which is the cost for half.. mind you they also indicated that this is a known issue.. Not happy with that outcome i contacted the NHTSB with the issue, and was told there have been 36K reports of the same issue occurring on Sienna Vans dating back to 2005, and that the last generation had a quiet recall, where Toyota extended the warranty on the doors, and repaired the issues free of charge, but this was never released as public knowledge.. The NHTSB indicated that they cant force a recall until someone dies.. I would suggest you avoid these vans like the plague if you love your family.. Otherwise i would hate to read about this issue in the paper because someone in your family dies..

• 

  I-Phone / Entunes Update - 2012 Toyota Prius v
  By 123224 - May 14 - 11:27 am

  Could never get my I-phone to connect with Entunes. Found out that you have to "hard-wire"your I-Phone to your car using your USB cord. Now works like a charm. YAY!

• 

  Love this van sooo much! - 2006 Toyota Sienna
  By Ali - May 14 - 10:06 am

  My family and I are very comfortable in the van. I never thought in a million years I would be driving a van! I love the look and have a lot of pride that we made a great purchase on a van that we know we can rely on. We owned a V8 SUV until now & we already have seen a difference in the gas to fill up & longer lasting.