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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  This is the one! - 2006 Toyota Land Cruiser
  By Loren Mccoy - January 1 - 12:26 pm

  Having owned numerous cars and SUVs and driven countless trucks, I can tell you that if you can afford it, this is the SUV to buy. It skips the phony glam of the lexus LX470 and delivers what Toyota delivers best: a no nonsense product with all of the comfort and capability one could want. It drives great on the highway, and if you can get it stuck off-road, you should not be driving off-road. The Toyota Land Cruiser seems to have more interior room than a Chevy Tahoe. It certainly has a cache that only Land Rover can match, and its reliability is better than anything else out there; but if something does go wrong, it is so easy to just drive down to your neighborhood Toyota dealership.

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  RAV4 Great! until water pump problem - 2007 Toyota RAV4
  By Alex - January 1 - 9:53 am

  The RAV4 is exceptional in handling and driving, I love it! CAUTION: One major downfall, I have to replace the water pump. Well in order to have the water pump replaced the engine has to be taken out, 14.5 hours of labor! The service guy quoted 14.5 hours labor! That totally crushed my opinion about the RAV4, its bad for the engineers/designer to place the water pump where the engine has to be removed to replace a simple device such as the water pump.

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  Flintstones vehicle - 1999 Toyota Corolla
  By Laura - January 1 - 8:03 am

  This bare-bones car runs and runs. Although the styling, road noise, and freeway handling leave a lot to be desired; the fuel economy, peppy street performance, and reliability are excellent.

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  BULB - 2006 Toyota Prius
  By jay - January 1 - 1:06 am

  It cost $238.00 to have a headlight bulb replaced!!! Do not buy this car. If I knew I was going to pay BMW prices for things light lightbulbs, then I may as well have bought a BMW. It was 5000 miles out of warranty, and not covered under extended warranty - another ripoff. With the economy the way it is and people trying to keep their homes etc., nobody is going to buy a Prius now that I have educated them about the price just to replace a lightbulb. Toyota would not do nothing for me stating that they had already reduced the price from 500.00 dollars!! This is my last Prius. Please do not buy this car, because they always find a way to avoid the warranty coverage.

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  Factory oil pan had bad seal, already had oil leak - 2016 Toyota Camry
  By jihilton - December 31 - 8:56 am

  Do like the car, but having a major issue within 2 weeks of ownership is troublesome! Hopefully it has been repaired, but I wanted a worry free car for the money I paid. The oil leak occurred before my first payment!

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  Avg 23 MPG - 2004 Toyota 4Runner
  By quantamanmi - December 31 - 1:20 am

  I keep looking for a more practical, better milage, more "green" vehicle that will handle my needs. I research every new suv, stationwagon, hatchback, etc. I cant find anything old or new to compete with the new style 4Runner. A vehicle for any "season or reason". This is the most balanced, smooth, performining V6 on the road. I have had 6 diff SUVs. This is near perfection.

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  Get One Before Theyre Gone - 2006 Toyota Matrix
  By Paradoxfalls - December 31 - 12:36 am

  I love the 2006 Toyota Matrix. Its a well-built, peppy, fuel economic car thats fun to drive. The only problem we have with it is that the small rear windows (hatch and behind the doors) create bigger blind spots, but once you get to know the car, its not so bad. My husband and I bought this car after our 2005 Matrix was totaled. A speeding drunk driver jumped a sloped median, landing his Jeep Cherokee V8 on the hood of our Matrix, then flipped over and crushed part of our roof. My husband and I were injured, but WE WALKED AWAY, vowing to buy another Matrix since that one saved our lives. I heard that the Matrix may be replaced in Toyotas line-up, so get one while you can!

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  2001 camry LE V6 Gallery Series - 2001 Toyota Camry
  By Danny Dale - December 30 - 10:50 pm

  I purchased this car from a friend who wanted a 2008 model. It is in excellent shape in all areas. I also like the two tone paint and the other upgrades that went with the Gallery Series. It had 162000 miles on it, but looks like new. I did put new tires on and brake pads and new belts, only because I wanted to start off with them on it. It had been taken care of in all areas. Besides changing the oil on date of purchase, I had the radiator flushed. I only paid $5000.00 for it, and am extremely happy. I have 164000 on it now. My last car was a Cadillac Seville and it had 378000 miles when I gave it up. All my mileage is highway travel. I baby my cars to go as long as possible.

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  What not to buy - 2005 Toyota Tacoma
  By Joe Munsey - December 30 - 10:06 pm

  I traded in a good Chev Silverado Ext Cab for this thing. Top 3 things I hate and will not buy Toyota again. 1. no power - I live on a ranch with some steep hills, it has trouble climbing 2. Mileage - rate at over 20 mpg have yet to see over 15 mpg 3. Warranty - just because my truck sees dirt daily (my driveway is dirt) item that should be covered is voided just because it used off road - written in fine print of the warranty The drive axle needed to be replaced - not under warranty. Bearing went bad in the front - not under warranty.

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  Early impression of the 2014 Avalon - 2014 Toyota Avalon
  By jackmack1 - December 30 - 9:46 pm

  I moved from a 08 ES 350 to the Avalon recently after deciding against the 14 ES350. In my eyes, the Avalon looks better from every angle and test driving it sold me. The cars comfortable, quiet, and has all the performance Ill ever need. I have Michelin tires, and while the ride is just a bit firmer than my old ES, Ive found it to be comfortable over a variety of different pavements. The secure responsive handling of this car more than offsets whatever small compromise in ride comfort was made. Again, early impressions, but I think its a winner. One thing: I was surprised at how much darker the window tint on all but the windshield is. Compromises visibility, but I do have The BSM.