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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  Uncomfortable driver seat - 2004 Toyota Camry
  By C. Hanna - July 10 - 10:00 am

  I find the driver seat to be very uncomfortable. To the point that I do not like to drive the car. Lumbar support is like two fists in my kidneys and the seat bottom is very hard. Did not notice this in the short test drive at the dealers. Be sure to sit in this car for 15 + minutes before buying.

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  Undependable, too expensive, too LOUD! - 2006 Toyota Avalon
  By Herm Munch - July 4 - 11:16 am

  Very sad to have had this car six months. Several mechanical and electrical problems, but the worst of it is the VERY HARD seats and the loud interior. I drive on some rougher blacktop and the car is NOISY. Im also picking up flecked paint on the front and the unprotected doors are getting chipped at the supermarket from other car doors!

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  So sorry I bought it!! - 2005 Toyota Highlander
  By Not a fan - June 26 - 5:26 pm

  Gas mileage not as advertised. Most uncomfortable front seat!! Too short for people with longer legs. Arm rests do not fall in the proper place for people with wide shoulders. For all its bells and whistles, doesnt have automatic locks (when engaging transmission) which I had on my prior 10 year old car and I consider a big personal safety factor. Poor design on console. Wasted space underneath cup holders. Cover on console opens with weight of pocketbook... very annoying. Doors do not close easily... must be slammed to engage lock. Gas cap release in awkward position. Must open door and unlock seat belt to reach. Doesnt have "Miles to Go" on its Info button, which was very handy.

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  never buy - Camry 07 LE I4 - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By vin - June 26 - 1:30 pm

  I have owned 2 cars, Camry 03 and corolla 03. I traded in my corolla 03 for a new camry 07 LE with I4 engine. Its been 3 days only. It has serious acceleration problem and is hesitant in pick up .Sometimes I need to press gas pedal hard to gain power. I have been a toyota loyalist since 4.5 yrs .This is the greatest disappointment I ever had with Camry 07.

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  Corolla S- A giant leap backward - 2010 Toyota Corolla
  By larbike - June 25 - 3:23 am

  Very disappointed. I replaced my 16 year old Honda Civic with a new Corolla S. The Corolla has developed atrocious steering, handling,and braking issues after 3000 miles. This was not evident during test drives. The fuel economy is not that all impressive at around 28 mpg. The dealer has tried to help but these issues are related to the vehicles design cannot be corrected. Amazing, using advanced technologies and materials- Toyota has managed to replicate the driving feel of my dads 53 Chevy which had worn ball joints and air in the brake lines.

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  Disappointed in Rav4 dependability - 2007 Toyota RAV4
  By Kerry Ross Boren - June 23 - 7:26 pm

  I have owned several other Toyotas and I liked them for their dependability. I purchased a 2007 Rav4 for that reason and have been greatly disappointed. The brakes went out at 17,000 miles; an oil hose broke at 23,000; the tires wore out at 20,000 and had to be replaced; the paint job is chipping; the exterior is made of fiberglass and is easily damaged; the power steering column is failing and will have to be replaced at 23,000 miles. What a disappointment. Toyota fails to warranty any of these defects or make a recall for potentially dangerous ones. I have had this vehicle a little more than two years and it has proved to be an expensive liability. I will not purchase another Toyota.

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  Not for wind - 2002 Toyota Highlander
  By Jim Fresh - June 7 - 10:00 am

  Not a bad vehicle but should come better equipped. For 28K, you only get cloth seats, power driver seat, and a moonroof. I was able to prive a Lexus RX w/ similar features at 33.5K, should have gone for that but the car was for my mom and she didnt want to pay the price difference. For little more, she would have had the leather and a 4 year warranty, oh and wood instead of that fake aluminum looking stuff on the dash.

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  rip off! - 2003 Toyota 4Runner
  By rc206 - May 28 - 10:00 am

  interior items break of allthe time,the engine puts off a rotten egg/ sulfer smell when you get on the gas! the front seats are the most unconfortable,the limited version is better.resale sucks on the vehicle.

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  2009 Venza Steering Column Rattle Noise 25000 miles - 2009 Toyota Venza
  By fair2us - May 14 - 5:48 pm

  Recently I purchased a 2009 Venza (base 4-cly). I am having issues with a knocking feel and steering column rattle noise. Toyota gave me the TSB for a Steering Column Rattle Noise, T-SB-0005-11, and said my Venza is one month out of the Toyota 3yr basic warranty. The dealership will charge $1,333.68 for parts and $243.53 for labor to address this issue. This is the second time that I bought a Toyota with a steering column and warranty issue (the first time was a 2006 Camry, Intermediate Steering Column TSB ST001-06). There will NOT be a third time for Toyota to do this to me. I will go back to driving Hondas.

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  Bad quality with Worse service! - 2005 Toyota Matrix
  By puffy - April 26 - 1:33 am

  Own 03 Matrix, driven 45000 miles. First when I got the car it had problem with radio and rattles in the back of the car. Toyota Central in LA refused to fix the rattle in the back, and took more than a month to replace the radio! They were supposed to call me when they receive the radio but never did! Now rear wheels locked up and does not move!!!! Had regulary serviced every interval but still got lots of problem!