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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  All in all AOK car - 2004 Toyota Corolla
  By lyraleblanc - May 4 - 6:03 pm

  Biggest gripe: the steering wheel is too close to the dash, so if I adjust the seat for leg comfort, I cant reach it. Make steering wheel telescopic!! Handling is very good, ride a little bumpy (well, its not a Camry). Exterior scratches very easily. My dogs ride comfortably. *Great* mileage. Did brakes/rotors at 50K, otherwise have done nothing but oil changes and it runs like a charm. Very reliable, which I love - I never have to worry about being stranded.

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  Beware of AWD - 2005 Toyota Sienna
  By James Mayberry - May 3 - 1:13 pm

  Purchased the 2005 XLE Limited in Oct 2004. Ordered it fully loaded (dvd-Nav- etc) with 2 wheel drive. Was delivered as AWD and dealer convinced me it would be no problem. Shame on me !!! After 28000 miles it has averaged 18.3 MPG overall (mostly highway), has had one set of new tires and already shows 40% wear on second set !! At $1156 per set, this figures out to approx $100 per Mo. for tires alone !!! Wanna buy one--- "Have I got a deal for you" !!!

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  2007 Camry Design Flaws - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By Sam - May 2 - 4:36 pm

  I own my 2007 Camry SE since April 2006. I have seen the following problems: 1.) Hesitant response of the engine to the gas pedal, it can be a safety issue on highway. 2.) Water on the seat when you open the car door or roll down the window, in a slight rain. 3.) Rattling dashboard when the car is cold. 4.) Uncomfortable head restraint, too close to my head. I hope that Toyota would call me some day to offer a fix to the hesitant engine response, as I am really disappointed with this cars performance. Id like to keep this car for years, but sometimes this hesitation problems bothers me so badly that I think to trade this 6 month old car with something more reliable.

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  Great Quality - 2002 Toyota Tacoma
  By rolltide - May 2 - 10:00 am

  So far so good! The quality on the Toyota product is top notch! Haven;t had one problem except that the clock is positioned in the wrong place and hard to see. The interior has held up very well especially with kids, animals and the frequent trip to the beach.

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  230,000 mile report - 2001 Toyota Tacoma
  By Dan sanchez - May 1 - 10:00 am

  Ive owned this truck for 6 years. it has 230,000 miles and it still runs great. no big problems just had to change the cat converters. and the struts and rear shocks. kind of a stiff ride but its a truck. mileage is ok. could be better. i love this truck and would recommend it to anyone.

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  Real Value - 2010 Toyota 4Runner
  By Carlos S. - May 1 - 10:00 am

  Some reciprocity; I found user reviews a definitive value when deciding upon this purchase. Pros: reliability, build quality, Lexus-like ride (test it), strong engine. Cons: paint quality, no frills interior(not an big issue at the price, sensibility to crosswinds. All in all a great buy, nanny your gas and it will truly reward you.

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  Oil Pan gasket Already - 2010 Toyota Camry
  By OIL Pan Gasket - May 1 - 10:00 am

  I bought car 12-2009, The 2 weeks after bought it all the recalls came out. took it in they changed the gas pedal. and flashed my Memory. I noticed the car runs a little different( in a bad way). at 15,000 miles I notice oil in my driveway,thought it was my 2000 dodge caravan. But no it was my Camry.Took it in and they had to drop the oil pan and replace the Oil Pan Gasket. Ive worked on cars for 32 years, had old junker etc and never had to replace a oil pan gasket, unless I pulled the motor and wanted to. 15,000 miles on a new car come on Toyota. The service guy couldnt explain why and said these things happen.

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  2008 first impression - 2008 Toyota Highlander
  By oldjoe - May 1 - 7:20 am

  What a change from my 05. Lots more leg room, gas mileage seems about the same, and POWER - the new v6 is awesome. Very smooth and quiet ride compared to old model. Steering is very light but a little slower - not the same feel as the 05. It is a bigger, taller auto but not as large as it looks.

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  Female Disappointed With Toyota - 2009 Toyota Camry
  By thecrock1 - April 30 - 12:00 pm

  My car drove great for the first year and a half and now the steering wheel shakes (I believe its the rotors) but dealership wont do anything about it. But the main problem is when the ac is on the car acts like it wants to die sometimes when you are coming to a stop. The whole car is vibrating on and off or shaking like the engine is missing or something. Only happens when ac is on. Again dealership says nothing wrong. Very disappointed in Toyota and this dealership. Had heard so many good things about Toyota. Will not buy another one. They are just like all the other dealerships I have dealt with. Once you buy the car thats it. They dont help you or fix anything.

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  Poor fit and finish - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By patrickht - April 29 - 3:20 am

  I like the car its good looking and has a nice ride. The fuel economy is decent but not has good as the sticker promises. I have averaged about 24 MPG since I have it. The fit and finish quality is poor. When the drivers door is closed there is a tight fit between the door and dash. When the door on the passengers side is closed the gap is a quarter of an inch! Toyotas quality is slipping. Out of 11 Camrys on the lot 6 of them had this same defect. When I complained to the dealer they told me that its the way the car was built and to fix it they would have to take the dash apart. I was shocked at this response, I expected more.