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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  Excellent, is all I can say! - 2000 Toyota Camry
  By suspicious - March 30 - 10:00 am

  After loking at many cars, including BMWs, Accords, Maximas, and 626s, I had no choice but the Camry. Price, features, comfort, looks, and ride could not be better. Even to this day, the car feels exactly the same as the day I drove it off the lot. Id do it all over again. Excellent car! Please sir may I have another?

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  Disappointing Mileage with Poor Tires - 2003 Toyota Corolla
  By ez050152 - March 30 - 10:00 am

  To the reputation of Corolla, 03 CE is close to a disgrace. Quite a few owners report low gas mileage. My car can only run 23 mpg given 60/40 city/hwy, way less than Toyota advertises. And I have kept it below 2500 rpm most of the time, rarely above 3000. Another disappointment is its poor tire grip of Goodyear. It feels like a panic stop, even although you are stepping on the brake for a while before the red light. One improvement is the roomier interior compared to the old model, while some knobs are hard to reach from the drivers seat.

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  03 V6 XLE great car, but.......... - 2003 Toyota Camry
  By SURF DUDE - March 30 - 10:00 am

  I recently purchased a 2003 XLE with the 210 V6 VVTi engine, equipped with the 5 speed transmission. The transmission is becoming a disappointment. I have noticed it has a problem downshifting from 5th into 3rd for passing. The transmission hesitates before a lower gear engages, then shifts into gear with a degree of roughness. There is a concern when immediate response is needed. Many owners of the Lexus ES300 have experienced the same problem, with the 5speed transmission [the Lexus and Camry share much of the same mechanical underpinnings] Lexus is aware of the problem, lets hope Toyota is in the loop and aware of the problem.

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  Problems+ + + + - 2003 Toyota Camry
  By Fawaz - March 30 - 10:00 am

  i bought this camryproblem 3 months ago and sincs that im evry 2 or 3 days on the dealer problems evry where starts from the brake to the bad noise from the driver door the front psnger. door and the front glass adn the dealer dont want to fix anything he says that they dont know whats the noise problem ... its not only me in the dealer garage there is a lot of camrys like my problem

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  FJ Fun - 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser
  By LAS - March 30 - 8:10 am

  This vehicle is just plain fun. I have the bright yellow color which is quite an eye catcher. Performance is excellent and it is unusually comfortable.

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  Great Car - 2000 Toyota Celica
  By Craig - March 30 - 3:50 am

  Bought mine with 116,000 miles on it. It now has 169,000. Replaced tires, clutch, changed coolant, had it tuned up and had all 4 struts replaced (not out of necessity, just because I wanted to). Its been running perfect ever since. I get (30 mpg) even when I drive it hard and have fun. Check engine light came on about a year ago, I replaced the Cat. Converter, light still stays on, but the car runs fine. I keep waiting for it to give me a sign its ready to be traded, but I believe Ill be waiting a while for this to happen.

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  Really happy with this car - 2008 Toyota Yaris
  By AK - March 30 - 12:10 am

  Im only averaging 42 mpg, but thats probably because I havent been driving to maximize mpg - this car is very zippy, and I cant resist! Its also very maneuverable, with an incredibly tight turning radius. Its also darn cute, like a cross between a VW Beetle and a Camry. Complaint: the transition from park to 1st gear is very jerky (and means I stall out a lot if Im wearing other than my normal sneakers). I highly recommend the manual transmission with power package and ABS brakes, giving you maximum control over the car. (That way you also get a radio.) This car will last ten years no problem, and will carry me in style all the way.

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  Most comfortable car I have owned - 2005 Toyota Avalon
  By Marla - March 29 - 10:53 pm

  Driving this car is like sitting in your living room recliner with surround sound on. Seats are VERY comfortable, sound system is magnificent. Has all the safety features standard. Gets 4-5 mpg better gas mileage than my Nissan Maxima did. Comfortably seats 5, huge trunk space, and most importantly phenomenal pick up. One downside, bumper is a blindspot while backing up. I suggest a back up alarm be installed.

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  Poor Gas Mileage - 2007 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
  By UNHAPPYOWNER - March 29 - 1:56 pm

  MSRP $41K for OK vehicle with poor MPG. Heated seats dont work, toyota cant/wont fix them. Resale will be bad with defective options (still under warranty). Waranty only good if munafacturer desides to fix it. Good takeoff and ride. Need more options (bluetooth,steering wheel controls,etc.). Two slow leak alloy rims, other cars have similar leaks. Wont buy toyota again.

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  Unlit dashboard switches - 2007 Toyota Camry Solara
  By Jean - March 29 - 1:46 pm

  Overall I am quite satisfied. Theres nothing like a Toyota for dependability and style.