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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  2010 4Runner - 2010 Toyota 4Runner
  By James - March 23 - 9:03 pm

  Love the car so far - I have just under 1,500 miles on it and am averaging around 18-19mpg (keep in mind I have only taken it on the freeway once). Has more power than other in its class. I was nervous about the ride being that its on a truck wheel base, but it actually rides very smooth and is quiet in the cabin.

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  Good truck with some issues. - 2013 Toyota Tacoma
  By Jeff - March 23 - 6:03 pm

  I purchased this truck in 2013 brand new. I still own it in October of 2016. There are two design flaws and one other issue with this truck. The two design flaws are: 1. There are two rubber strips across the top of the truck that come loose in strong wind or at the car was. Im not exactly sure why these two rubber strips are on top of the truck in the first place. They dont seem to do anything except come off the truck. 2. The painted on descriptions of the controls. For example ... POWER on the radio knob. These painted on descriptions come off over time since they werent recessed into the dash then painted so you couldnt touch the paint. In my opinion if they were just recessed without painting they would look better. So the descriptions of the knobs will come off over time due to touching them. The other issue is towing and the shifting of gears. I towed a UTV on a utility trailer. I could not use the cruise control when towing this UTV because the RPMs would go too high. Even without towing something the shifting takes a while at higher speeds (60+ MPH) when getting on the highway. Once it does finally shifts gears lowering the RPMs its fine. I love the way my Tacoma TRD looks and handles, but there are issues that keep it from getting a 5 star rating that could have been caught in the design of this vehicle. I would recommend this truck but not if you want to tow something at its maximum towing capacity and as long as you are OK with its design faults.

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  Why wouldnt you? - 2006 Toyota Prius
  By Simon Palmer - March 23 - 3:06 pm

  With a large tax credit to offset the "hybrid premium" it was an easy decision to try the Prius. I was looking for a hatchback as these have the versatility that a one-car household needs without the punishing costs of a SUV. There were surprisingly few hatchback choices in 2006 and this one has turned out to be a winner. Fuel economy to date (45,000 miles) 58.9 MPG; reliability 100%; servicing costs average; fun factor 5 for a normal person, 8 for a geek. Interestingly, I got stranded one night by floods and slept in the car until morning; the ICE kicked on and off occasionally to recharge the battery and keep the A/C running. This car is now my personal hurricane evacuation plan!!

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  11 years in and still a great truck! - 2006 Toyota 4Runner
  By falcs2001@netzero.net - March 23 - 11:45 am

  I bought this 2006 in fall of 2008 with 29K on it. Ive added 130K since and it has been fantastic! Oil, gas, brakes, battery and fluids is all Ive ever had to do. I worried that I should have sprung for the V8, but I cannot think of any time Ive driven it where I felt it was under-powered. I tow a boat with it every weekend and it acts like it isnt even there. The only problem I ever had with it is in early 2016 the rear window defroster shorted out and caused the rear glass to shatter. Cost about $500 to fix it. BUT - In March of 2017, Toyota sent me a letter saying theyd heard reports of this and even though my car was almost 130K miles beyond warranty, they were willing to reimburse me for the repair!! Name me ANY other company that would do that?? Id love to get a new 4Runner, but I am not a fan of the boxy head and tail lamps theyve had since 2010. Cmon Toyota, do another refresh and get those lamps flush again and Ill buy one!

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  Just cant get rid of it - 1998 Toyota 4Runner
  By barvaz - March 23 - 11:33 am

  Bought it new and have loved owning it. I keep looking to replace it but I just cant. New versions are all plastic. I like steel bumpers. It meets all of my driving needs perfectly. Has manual tranny, sunroof, towing pkg. Repairs through the years include: Antenna mechanism twice. Drivers door mechanism. Clutch. Trailer light converter box. Breaks as needed. Price of gas hurts but its worth it. Id buy the exact thing again new if they were available.

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  Great car but some flaws - 2004 Toyota Camry Solara
  By solaraowner - March 23 - 6:43 am

  I bought this new in 2004. Its reliable and Ive never had any major problems with it, except cosmetically. The paint scratches very easily and the interior plastic panels came loose multiple times and I had to take it to several dealers before they fixed it for good. I wish for the money the car had a more quality interior. Mileage is excellent. The tire pressure monitor is way too sensitive and I wish it told you the pressure- sometimes it goes off it there is too much air in the tire, but you have to check the tires BEFORE adding air for this reason. The snow guard or whatever under the car came loose a few times when other people drove my car and the driver seat can come loose.

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  Best car Ive owned so far......... - 2004 Toyota RAV4
  By Free_rider78 - March 23 - 1:33 am

  I love it! I hope to have it for many years to come......

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  Best Option I found - 2007 Toyota Tundra
  By Nancy - March 23 - 1:06 am

  This is my first truck, having owned SUVs, but I talked with a lot of folks before going with the Tundra. Ride is excellent, fuel econmy great for its size (getting 19-20 hwy) - not an in town kind of truck though. Drives, handles and brakes well. Massive amount of room. Love the tow mirrors. Could use better back up lights, sonar should be standard in trucks this size. I still wish someone would market a small truck that would blow away the big boys on the highway in mpg. For now, there is no gain in going smaller if you want 4WD so why not get a big truck that can carry more (if you need a truck).

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  Like driving in a living room - 2011 Toyota Camry
  By Dave - March 22 - 4:53 pm

  This is really a comfortable car with a really smooth ride and it is extremely quiet. Its not very exciting, its a family sedan, thats what it is. I went with the black for a touch of excitement. We just got, but we are very pleased and there is no safer Camry then the 2011 with the brake assist, VSC, TRAC, seven air bags, and an accelerator cut off standard. My one complaint, in 2011 is it really that difficult to put keyless entry, a manual seat with decent adjustment options, and more trip information on the base model. Toyota should take a tip from Hyundai on that one, they include a lot of nice features standard. I still sent with Toyota though for obvious reasons. Great buy for sure.

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  Love This Car - 2010 Toyota Corolla
  By carebear77 - March 22 - 4:46 pm

  Ive owned this car for 10 weeks and 4K miles. It was a big change from the Nissan Altima Ive been driving for 10 years. Straight city driving gets 25-28mpg. Long road trips on the hwy get 33-38mpg. At 60mph, I get 38mpg: At 80mph, I get more like 33mpg. I notice the computer mileage shows about 2mpg higher than the figures I get the old fashioned way. Ive stated the old-fashioned fill-up and calculate method. My husband is 6ft3in, and loves this car. He fits very well in the interior, and even the backseat isnt too bad. 2 children with booster seats fit nicely in the back. We love this sporty S model, much more so than we would have a standard model.