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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  Toyota Dependability in Question - 2004 Toyota Sienna
  By nativwashintonyn - July 9 - 9:06 pm

  I am having a terrible experience with my vehicle. It is a 2004 Toyota Sienna and it currently has just over 90,000 miles on it. Even though I have had my vehicle serviced on a regular basis I was shocked when the compressor shut down on my way for service. I was in the middle of a six lane highway! When the compressor shut down it caused some metal to get into the engine system. My repair bill is going to be an estimated $3500.00. I have told the Toyota Customer Service Center my story and they have only offered to pay for the compressor parts and nothing else! I am very disappointed in Toyotas and the dealerships response for assistance in this unusual repair situation.

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  Its a minivan - 2008 Toyota Sienna
  By Greg - July 9 - 9:46 am

  We have owned our sienna for 18 months. Trading it in a few days for a Benz. The gas mileage is absolutely horrible. We average 15.9 on a trip. Ridiculous! Rather uninspiring handling. Acceleration seems doggy. Faux wood trim doesnt belong in a $41k minivan. Putting down the 3rd row seats is inconvenient. Save some money and buy a town and country.

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  Corolla or wind tunnel? - 2001 Toyota Corolla
  By hiya - July 9 - 2:00 am

  I enjoy this vehicle except for the excessive road noise. It makes it impossible to hear the cell-phone and completely negates any sound quality from the stereo.

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  Not Satisfied - 2008 Toyota Camry
  By Monica - July 4 - 7:50 pm

  This is my first Toyota, and Im not impressed. The car is sluggish, transmission shifts often and has a very noticeable delay. I was also expecting BETTER MPG only get an average of 22.

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  Great car, leaks oil - 2006 Toyota Matrix
  By Randy - July 3 - 8:16 pm

  My 2006 Matrix has had an oil leak at the timing chain tensioner repaired 4 times. I just finished my arbitration hearing today, and Im not hopeful of much help there. Toyota wont admit that there is a real problem, and therefore isnt willing to do anything to help me. This is my first foreign car, and certainly will be my first, last and only Toyota.

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  Interior Improvements - 2002 Toyota 4Runner
  By Teresa - June 30 - 7:40 pm

  I adore the look of this vehicle and the ride as well. Its the interior design that I feel needs some changing. I have a 1999 SR5 on a 3 year lease. The seats, compared to other vehicles, such as the Explorer and the Jeep Grand Cherokee, are very small and uncomfortable. Also, the material used on the SR5 is very hard & scratchy.

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  Good car, but - 2005 Toyota Camry
  By Umka - June 29 - 5:53 pm

  This is my second Camry. The first one Camry 1996 was much better. Seems Toyota lost quality. Disappointed with my purchase. I chose Camry because of reliability, but things like bad shifting in low gears, poor acceleration, hesitation when starting from full stop makes me unhappy.....Get 25 MPG average

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  I just got rid of it after 6500 miles - 2007 Toyota Avalon
  By David A - June 28 - 12:33 am

  I bought this car after doing a lot of research and was initially quite happy with it. Over the 15 months that I had it, it was in the shop twice for rattles, and twice to have the oxygen sensor issue fixed, for a total of about 7 or 8 days without the car, most was related to the sensors. It had another annoying rattle in the dash when I got rid of it. These may have all started after I had XM added to the car, but that doesnt make the rattles go away. I traded it in for a non-Toyota vehicle after 6500 miles.

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  Poorly Functioning Transmission - 2009 Toyota Tacoma
  By Tacomashane - June 26 - 12:03 pm

  This truck has had transmission issues since the day I bought it. Toyota refuses to admit it is a problem, even though it is well documented on the internet. Transmission continually slips when accelerating after a turn or even going over a speed bump. There is a clunking/jumping effect around 30mph when letting off gas then getting back on the gas. Also have had an annoying buzzing sound from under my glove compartment and a rattling window control panel. Body dents very easily. Very worried that transmission will fail before my 36k warranty.

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  Do Not Buy - 2005 Toyota Sienna
  By Do Not Buy - June 23 - 11:13 am

  From day one anything that could go wrong did. Replaced battery in 3 months, brakes and rotors at 28K miles, tires 30K, miles, door hinge broke, sliding door hinges rattled, seat belts locked up, struts and mounts replaced @ 60K, transmission and torque converter problems start at 45K, at 94K are terrible, still have extended warranty so of course Toyota can find nothing wrong with it. Have also replaced fuel speed sensor, rear air vent goes on and off by itself. Toyota wont fix that either. (guess I have to wait until the extended warranty is up) Windshield whistles??? Very, very, frustrating. Lets not forget replacing the spark plugs 35K miles too soon. DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY ON AN EXTENDED WARRANTY!!!