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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  Weak Shifting, Steering and Mileage - 2008 Toyota Sienna
  By John - April 21 - 2:20 pm

  Acceptable performance at best. Sadly disappointed in several key features. Shifting at low engine speeds frequently causes unacceptable shift quality from 1st to 2nd gear. Intermittent but you see it way too often. Very poor gas mileage. I assume many of those who post good mileage are relying upon their electronic readout in the van. My inaccurate readout tells me I get 26+ MPG highway while the gas pump says 21 MPG at best. Same or worse mileage in town than if I drive our 10 year old beater Plymouth van! The engine change Toyota made in their vans a few years back provides twice the noise of the previous engine. The steering is acceptable at best but the weakest of any brand we drove.

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  2nd Time Around - 2004 Toyota 4Runner
  By JMan - April 21 - 10:43 am

  2nd Generation 4-Runner owner. This one is an upgrade over 2000 model. More interior room, stronger engine with better mileage. Have had 3 problems. Dead battery, bad oxygen sensor and dead radio (after warranty period)-expensive fix. Other than that its been a great vehicle that shows very little signs of wear with no interior noises after 72K. Average 19mph in mixed driving.

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  Would prefer leather interior - 2007 Toyota Matrix
  By neighborette - April 21 - 10:03 am

  On the highway with light city driving I average 34 miles per gallon. The money I save on gas over my last vehicle pays my car payment. People like to complain buy American, [non-permissible content removed]. I would much rather spend that extra money on a newer car from a manufacturer that has created American Manufacturing Jobs. Toyota keep up the good, but no perfect work.

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  Won over - 2013 Toyota Avalon
  By sullivan3 - April 21 - 9:36 am

  I bought the Avalon Touring XLE model in March 2013. Initially, I was a bit disappointed in the quality of the ride. I thought there was too much road feel. This October, I drove it to Ohio and Indiana from Florida. It performed amazingly and I am now smitten with this machine. I really enjoy driving it and on a smooth road, it is terrific. I am averaging nearly 30 mpg . My driving is all at 60mph where I live . No regrets on this purchase.

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  Great car - 2009 Toyota Venza
  By John - April 21 - 3:03 am

  It is truly a unique looking car. I didnt want a car that looked like every other on the street. Mileage is better than expected, 25/32mpg. The power is a little less than expected. The Sunset Bronze is a great one of a kind color. It is an all around fun car.

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  So Far, Almost an A+ - 2010 Toyota Corolla
  By JimB - April 20 - 9:46 pm

  I really dont know where some of these negative reviews are coming from. I am 60 years old and used to sell Toyotas back in the 1980s, when you where lucky if you could buy one for MSRP. People where getting on lists to wait for one and most where sold by the time they hit the lot. This car is so much better in all aspects than the Toyota Corollas of those days. I love the way it looks and drives, not to mentions the 35 mpg that I averaged on the 1st 3 tanks of gas. I paid right at invoice for the car and got 60 months at 0% financing and because I traded in a 12 yr old Toyota Sienna with 170,000 miles on it, I was given a 2-year free maintenance agreement at no additional cost.

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  Yahoo, Im back in the saddle again - 2006 Toyota Tacoma
  By Svend - April 20 - 4:13 pm

  This truck drives like a sports car, yet has the capabilities of a large truck. Moving down the freeway, if I only want silence I can shut off the cd/radio, outside road noise is minimal at best. Load it up with bed full of dirt and still has get up and go, and with the locking dif no issues going through the soft stuff. I havent had any issues squeezing into parking places where ever I go, only problem so far has been at the gas pump where I spend more time there than I want talking with everbody about the truck.

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  Not in Love - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By Phil - April 20 - 2:00 pm

  Have put 24,000 miles in 1 year. The engine whines annoyingly on acceleration, front cupholder lid rattles when open. Right rear door rattles inside most of the time. Front seats are not comfortable on long trip. Radio lights are too bright at night. Highway mileage is 29, which I consider poor for a 4-cylinder. My 06 Avalon did as well with a V6.

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  Great hybrid - 2012 Toyota Prius v
  By tobdog - April 20 - 1:41 pm

  First time hybrid owner. Traded a v6 turbo Audi so of course a bit slower but expected. Fun to drive with hybrid feature and great electronics. Kids love the computer display and system. Couple of drawbacks include lack of leather as an option on the v five. Interior is a bit "plastic". Other concern is we are only averaging about 31 mpg after first 60 miles. Hope it improves.

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  My experience - 2002 Toyota Camry Solara
  By Steve I. - April 20 - 11:56 am

  I leased a 2000 Solara and the transmission died in 2 years. It the took the dealer almost a month to locate a replacement transmission. I would not deal with this car again. I cant wait until my lease is up to dump this car.