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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  My New Camry XLE V6 is Great - 2005 Toyota Camry
  By scott trees - January 8 - 7:40 am

  Ive always owned Toyotas (after one disastrous Pontiac purchase). I just bought the 05 Camry XLE V6. It has much of what an Avalon has in terms of accessories and is very similar in other aspects to the higher priced Avalon. I still have my 98 Camry and 84 Cressida, both of which still run great! I highly recommend the new Camry.

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  Toyota Prius - 2005 Toyota Prius
  By effieloumay - January 8 - 6:03 am

  I am very happy with my prius, but the mileage advertised is not accurate. I have been averaging about 47mpg around town, and 48 on the highway. The service has been very good, but I have about 6000 miles on it. The hatchback gives ample room, with the seats down, I get more storage room than in my Accura sedan, It is surprisingly comfortable, and handles well at high speeds. The quietest car I have ever owned. And importantly, it is better for the environment

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  Great vehicle, but ours not as reliable as some - 1999 Toyota 4Runner
  By RobS - January 7 - 11:00 pm

  Maybe our 1999 4Runner 4x4 was built on a Friday, but we have had a few repairs that we didnt expect, given the reliability rating it gets. Starter motor, Oxygen and Mass Air Sensors, and starter failed at under 100K miles, a complete failure of a lower ball joint in the front end, rear axle seals leaked (then leaked again after dealer repaired them, just after warranty of course), Drivers side Master Switch for power windows went out, then after living with it for a couple years, started working again. Front Drivers Seat Belt Tensioner springs are about shot, so the seat belt doesnt retract most of the time. Water pump went out at 165K, even though we replaced it at 90K when we had the timing belt replaced as part of scheduled maintenance. At the same time, second starter went out, now on #3. The V6 has never made great power, but is OK. So far, its been reliable and doesnt burn any oil, and get around 20 MPG on the highway, which isnt bad for a 4x4. We did have to have the Valve Cover Gasket replaced. Some of the plastic covers on seat adjustment levers, seat belt return, are breaking. At least one of the 12V power ports should be On if the ignition is off. Seats could be a little bigger, but the vehicle is narrow, so no fault really. Controls are well thought out, and dash layout is good (could use full instrumentation for Oil and Alternator). One thing I smile about driving in the city every day is great turning radius, and overall maneuverability for a SUV, another is the Power Rear Window (which NO OTHER small SUV has)...our dog especially loves it! The repairs weve had to make are, in my mind, worth the overall experience of owning our 4Runner. Its a nice looking vehicle, offroads well (fire roads and unimproved logging roads), drives responsively in the city. It could have more room, but it drives and parks easily in congested San Francisco, so the tradeoff is OK.

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  Finally, and well worth the wait!!! - 2006 Toyota Tundra
  By William - January 7 - 10:33 pm

  Ever since I got wise and sold my GMC Sierra, I knew I would buy a Toyota if they released a crew cab full size model. Well, they did, and to me they got it right. It may not be the fastest, or the nicest interior, but the overall fit and finish, says Toyota. If you wanted it could be the first and last truck you ever buy. Toyotas are known for quality, durability and reliability and this truck delivers on all 3, plus it has the best body lines of any of the big trucks out there.

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  Best car ever owned! - 2002 Toyota Avalon
  By Susan - January 7 - 6:23 pm

  Cant be beat! Best auto Ive ever owned, I plan to buy another very soon and my husband will take my currently owned Avalon - we dont want to give it up.

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  Economic or not? - 2009 Toyota Corolla
  By carlover - January 7 - 2:16 pm

  I have had this car for about a month now and it has been really good for most of it, except mpg goes down way too much when I use A/C and I use my A/C on low not on max, both for highway and city unfortunately! Without it is just amazingly economical and I love it for a car that size! Much better than previous corollas!

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  One of the first TCH sold in the country - 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By SJ - January 7 - 1:23 pm

  BTW.. Love the car. Feels heavy car to drive. Kind of like a cadillac. Kids love it. Averaged 42 MPG on the 45 mile trip back from the dealership. It is really cool that the engine shuts off.

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  I forgot how to open the gas cap - 2007 Toyota Prius
  By Epoch - January 7 - 12:20 am

  Ive had this car for three weeks, Im not a lead foot but Im only getting around 42 mpg with mostly suburban driving and short commute. Im not disappointed that it doesnt live up to EPA mileage estimates (I have never had a car that did) and considering that my last car got 16 mpg, it is a vast improvement. I can drive in HOV lanes in NY without additional occupants under the Clean Pass program which is a major plus. The styling is quite impressive, the car rides and handles extremely well I really love the blue tooth and navigations system. I feel like Im making a small contribution to reduce American dependance on foreign oil which is something people should start taking seriously.

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  Very great truck! - 2005 Toyota Tacoma
  By jeremy_good - January 7 - 12:12 am

  Ive got 90/10 good and bad reviews. I like the radio, which I have the V6 SR5 4x4 model with the TRD Off-Road pck, and nothing more I could say about how great it is to drive! The manual transmission, though, I got to say that I dont like. I hear a slight thump whenever the gears lever hits the end of the outline of the transmission gear shifter. The speaker system is bad and rad. It make the volume feel like its at 30 when its really on 18!

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  Good Commutor - 2009 Toyota Corolla
  By Jim - January 6 - 8:23 pm

  We love this car. I drive it to work 120 miles round trip. We drove the car from MN to Maine last summer. Car has always run great. It is not a sports car, but it is good reliable transportation.