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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  Underwhelming - 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By B Walker - March 31 - 6:53 am

  After 10,000 miles, this car is a disappointment. Unless you drive in a way to aggravate those behind you, we average mid to high 20s when strictly in the city and 33 to 34 on the highway with cruise set between 70 and 75. The best we have done is 39 mpg on a downhill trip from the Vermont mountains to Connecticut. Go with the 4 cylinder and save $10,000. The ride is somewhat bouncy.

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  Great Fix for the Glitch - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By JRTrin - March 31 - 5:20 am

  An article came out 2 weeks ago about Toyota having an upgrade on the sluggish shifting & hesitation for the Camry 2.4 5A. I took my car back to the dealer & they upgraded the engine software and calibrated the tranny. My car does not hesitate anymore & the auto shifting is smooth. Now I can say that this is an exciting car to drive. Good job Toyota, for correcting what should not have been in the first place. For owners who are having the same problem with the hesitation & shifting, I suggest that you bring it back to your dealer for the fix. You will feel the difference.

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  2015 Sienna SE drifting issue - 2015 Toyota Sienna
  By Tommy2016 - March 30 - 11:49 pm

  . Overall I love the minivan except for one issue 1. My van is brand new 2015 but it has drifting issue. Tired over a long trip because you constantly have to keep your hand on the steering wheel. As soon as you let it goes, the van either drifting to the left and right. I have the Dealer do the front end alignment and tire rotation but it is not helping. At first I thought is the tire pressure but I did make sure the pressure level the same for all tires and to the recommended PSI (36). I wonder if anyone out there has the same problem and got it fixed. I am not sure if the tires are the issue or not either. 2. I called Toyota directly and they state there is no report on the drifting issue but I found a few comment on the web regarding drifting issue on the SE model even when the Van is brand new. Anyone out there got the same issue and figured out what the problem is please let me know. Thank

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  Takes a lickin and keeps on tickin - 1995 Toyota Corolla
  By My Hooptie - March 30 - 11:23 pm

  I love my Corolla. I drive it almost everyday. I put approx 156,000 miles on it myself, I bought my 95 Corolla brand new off the show room floor. It has been up and down the east coast many times. Out of all the cars I have owned in my lifetime my little hooptie has outlasted them all. Whenever I fly out of town I tend to rent Corollas for dependability Within the next 22 months God willing I will be retiring & I am contemplating on buying another car & you can bet your bottom dollar it will be another Toyota, I have no intention of getting rid of my little Hooptie. I intend to drive it until it cant be driven any more. Trust me, if I didnt like it I wouldve gotten rid of it years ago

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  18 year old driving for 3 years! - 2004 Toyota 4Runner
  By jaheem - March 30 - 5:48 pm

  this was my grandmothers own.. she bought it new in 2004 with everything including leather n moon roof.. only except navi.. and we are in 2012.. still runs like new with 45236 miles (i put on 35000 miles on it myself since i got it.!) i love my jeep.! carried it offroading and it did excellent.. we live on a small island.. so i get around 18.2 the most of mpg.! its still shining like when we first bought it.. except lately i have it quite dirty.. only problem i can say i have.. is the tire pressure light has been on from 2009 and it havent come off.. but it doesnt bother us.! recently it started making this noise that sounds like the steering.. but its in the shop getting fix.! no biggie.

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  It ROCKS!!! - 2000 Toyota MR2 Spyder
  By Spydy - March 30 - 10:00 am

  This is my favorite car Ive ever owned!!! Its HOT looking, nimble & quick! I search for curvy roads! I drove BMW Z4 & 330, Z28 & Vett, 911 & Boxster. Give me 2 or 3 MR-2s any day for the same $$$ of any of them! It maintains 80mph up 6% grades w/ no down-shifting!!! Wouldnt mind more storage, but not if it changes anything about the car. Chased a 911 thru curves @ high-speed w/ no problmes! Everyone is shocked when they find out it is as inexpensive as it is. If Porsche was still building the 914, this is what it would look like! AWSOME CAR!!!

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  200,000 and Counting - 1995 Toyota 4Runner
  By Nic Tesla - March 30 - 10:00 am

  Sure, there were some problems, but overall, this baby never let me down. As some others indicated, I too had to replace the head gasket at 120,000. I bit the bullet and moved on, hoping for problem-free years to come and I got it.Mileage is consistently around 17-18 MPG, rare occasions up to 20. Got 120,00 out of my first set of tires. 4- Runner been very very good to me!

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  Avalon built in USA - No good - 1998 Toyota Avalon
  By racine guy - March 30 - 10:00 am

  This Avalon was built in Kentucky with good ol union labor...and it shows! The dealer delivered the vehicle with the rear middle seat belt BEHIND the rear seat backrest! The front seat belts have to manually feed back into their slots. The front armrest was replaced twice under waranty. My wife was injured by the parking brake foot lever when she was in a minor accident ? her shin bode hit the peddle which bruisded the bone. The drive train sometimes jerks in stop n go traffic or taking off from a dead stop. Finally, the tire noise is so bad...rear seat occupant ALWAYS complain about the noise! What a lousy car for $28 grand!!

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  Black trans fluid - 2004 Toyota Matrix
  By jpg - March 30 - 10:00 am

  Anybody else with transmission fluid that looks bad at 32,000 miles, Dealer dosent care, Asked them if they are seeing this in the other matrix and they say no but its perfectly normal in mine. Fluid should go 100,000 miles.I like the car, dont like being given a line of bull.I think the trans is going out.

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  Former Jeep Owner - 2003 Toyota 4Runner
  By o - March 30 - 10:00 am

  Just replaced a 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited V8. Was going to buy a car this time after my latest Jeep experience, but the new 4Runner blows away the Jeep in comfort, features, space, interior and exterior looks, build quality, cost to own, etc...it brought me back. Cant wait to take it on a trip, and drive it off road.