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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  Manual trans is a piece of junk - 2003 Toyota Matrix
  By mhlaur - May 10 - 4:00 am

  My manual transmission fell apart at 5 mths past warranty in 2007 as have many others since. Youll find plenty of posts on this website under Matrix Transmission Problems. Do not under any circumstances buy a used 2003 or 2004 manual transmission Matrix or you will sadly pay the price at around 60-100,000 miles. The transmission has been proven to have a faulty bearing which of course Toyota will not admit and take responsibility for. I had Toyotas from 1990-2007 and will never own another one in the next 50y.

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  Toyota Quality not what its claimed - 2007 Toyota Corolla
  By REsson - May 10 - 12:20 am

  Got a 2007 Corolla and the paint and bodywork are not good. Poor design of Rear bumper and generally poor quality paint job. Been back to dealer once for paint work and still not good. Otherwise seems to run okay, good MPG but a bit too much engine noise.

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  Nice Car - 2006 Toyota Corolla
  By Luis - May 9 - 1:43 pm

  This car is very good on gas mileage for the money, very comfortable and dependable...

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  Solara- Excellent Long Ranger - 1999 Toyota Camry Solara
  By Gene - May 9 - 8:50 am

  I keep cars a long time. My 97 Solara should break my record for longevity. Brought it new and it now has 171200 miles on it. It is also a 5-speed (special ordered) V6, and the clutch is still original and still tight. Mileage is about 33mpg if I can keep my speed below 65mph. Reality has been excellent and I only had a suspension problem, which took Toyota several attempts, but was finally fixed. If you can get one used, it is an excellent choice.

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  Loving our new Prius - 2006 Toyota Prius
  By meg - May 8 - 8:03 pm

  We bought a 2006 Prius just this past weekend. I had a scare when I forgot the next morning that you have to have your foot on the brake to power up the car, but a quick look at the manual righted that problem. Also found out that two clicks on the smart key unlocks all the doors, whereas one just unlocks the drivers door. Im sure Ill continue to have questions, but so far Im thrilled. Got an average of 60 mpg this morning driving ten miles to work. At that rate Ill be visiting the gas pump once a month instead of once a week.

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  3 Years later and strong as ever - 2011 Toyota Land Cruiser
  By pjcrage - May 8 - 7:50 pm

  Following up on my post from May of 2011, I can report that this SUV has performed flawlessly and other than a few nits, reliability has been outstanding. The only problem with this situation is that although my heart would love to look at a newer LC my head says no way. This is a durable and solid performer that begs you to keep it till it can take no more and that is likey many many years from now. Nothing more to say, it is the finest vehicle I have ever owned and since this is my 25th vehicle over the past 33 years that is saying a lot.... Its not cheap but ultimately in this case you get what you are willing to pay for.

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  2007 Toyota Camry - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By GIowa - May 8 - 2:50 pm

  I own 2007 Toyota Camry 4 cylinder. My 5th new Camry over past 11 years. Ive loved the previous Camrys..hate this one. I cant get over 24 mpg, it downshifts on slightest hill, even on the interstate. When I run A/C, it constantly shifts down 2 gears & lurches back & forth. It even shifted down far enough & redlined to 7.5 the other day on the interstate, when I turned on the A/C & it was slightly windy. It lurches on corners. Dealer installed software update & agrees it is awful, but nothing more they can do.

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  Wow! - 2017 Toyota Highlander
  By Chris - May 8 - 12:42 pm

  We traded in our beloved 2007 Highlander for the 2017 because we needed the higher tow capacity. Wow, wow, wow! We feel enveloped in luxury and comfort. The 2017 has a much steadier ride, top quality materials and is more comfortable and roomy. We owned the Sport version previously because I hated the sloppy body roll on the regular 2007 Highlander. The XLE 2017 has a more responsive ride and corners better, it is much smoother and steadier overall and all of the seats are roomier and very comfortable. Love the telescoping steering wheel, front shelf and pop-up hatch window, too. I am struggling with the new technology, but learning to love and appreciate it fast. The Stop Start system works really well once you get the hang of how and when to use it and is almost undetectable in use. Some of the climate controls are not intuitive (update-after owning this vehicle for one month...I am STILL struggling with the climate controls...only thing I can complain about really) and wondering why MPH not digitally displayed. Hoping this new Highlander is as reliable as our 2007! I am 56" husband is 65" and we both find it very comfortable my husband cant stop raving about this vehicle either. Wow! Look forward to every drive now! Update: No issues after a summer of driving and towing. Towing is strong and steady.

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  Better Built and some of the Cadillacs I have owne - 2000 Toyota Avalon
  By John - May 8 - 11:23 am

  I bought it with about 90,000 miles on it and Ill have a hundred and twenty thousand I have had to do some of the normal repairs that you do with the car as outstanding at it performs just like it was advertised to most of the time I get 22 around town and on the road I get more mileage than it says it should get I get 34 on the road and mine I have the V6 300 whatever it is and I have the gold package and I just love the car everyone who rides and it loves my car and several people have wanted to buy it from me

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  Not bad, not great - 2004 Toyota Sienna
  By displayname - May 8 - 6:46 am

  Bought new 5/04, came with conventional Dunlop tires that were absolute garbage - had to replace them after first winter as it was like driving on skis. Michelin rules! Reliability otherwise has been good except for battery issues that many others have had - if one interior light is left on for several hours, battery is dead. About a year ago radiator showed signs of seepage which dealer wanted to replace to tune of $1000 - but since we had no puddles/coolant loss we just left as is - still ok. Steering wheel suddenly developed squeak at 68000. Not the worst car I have ever owned but not sure I would buy another.