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:

• 

  Matrix Headache - 2004 Toyota Matrix
  By Carsrus - December 5 - 11:33 pm

  I purchased this car new with the intent of keeping it a long time with Toyotas reputation. This is the 5th brand new car I have purchased and my first Toyota. It is also my last Toyota. I have never had more problems or put more money into maintaining a car than this one. I just traded this car in with only 83,000 miles on it because I did not want to sink any more repair money into it. Unusual problem areas: neck to gas tank was rusting and would not allow gas cap to seal so car will not pass state emission tests - cost of total repair was over a thousand. Transmission failures after 80k on Matrix (cost over 3k).

• 

  Fun car - 2005 Toyota RAV4
  By Dorin Viorel - December 5 - 7:40 pm

  Fun to drive car with an excellent performance in and around the city.

• 

  Toyo Camry: V benchmark of family sedans - 2006 Toyota Camry
  By Quoizimodo - December 5 - 3:46 pm

  After looking at the Accord and out of reach Maxima, the Camry was the logical choice. I opted for the LE V-6. The Accord has more ponies but is a sohc engine compared to the Toyos dohc. In addition, the Honda cost $3000 more. And their interior is less insulated from road noise. The Camrys 3.0 V6 is strong and feels effortless. Youll go up to freeway speed in no time. The 5 speed auto is very smooth, barely perceptible. Ergonomics are very driver friendly. 15 inch wheels with Continental tires. Youll save gas and money with the 4 cylinders base model, however, I would strongly recommend you to go for the base V6 LE. You get an extra 40+ ponies to pass those 18 wheelers.

• 

  Just a car - nothing special - 2016 Toyota Camry
  By Sherm - December 5 - 9:38 am

  Online shopping or not you will get the same baloney on pricing when you actually go to the dealer. The floor mats are cheap junk.

• 

  3 Row Seat - 2004 Toyota Highlander
  By Johnson - December 5 - 5:56 am

  Shifting from low speed to high speed. Trans needs to be changed. Slow from down to up shifting if you need the power fast forget it. Third row seating ok for kids not adults. To small on the seating. Dealer installed tires need to be better. Good ride, but you will replace them fast

• 

  best half ton made - 2006 Toyota Tundra
  By Frank - December 4 - 11:06 pm

  I am very pleased wth the Toyota Tundra. It rides like a large sedan and has the smoothest transmission I have ever driven. It is usually not possible to tell when it shifts other than watching the tachometer. The acceleration is excellent. The seats are extremely comfortable and the rear seats are as comfortable, roomy, and solidly supporting as the front seats.

• 

  Awesome Highlander - 2005 Toyota Highlander
  By Kay - December 4 - 9:33 pm

  Handles well, tight on corners, power from the standstill, it plows through snow w/o skidding or bogging down.

• 

  Disappointed - 2004 Toyota Camry Solara
  By djintn - December 4 - 8:56 pm

  Sexy car, but with several problems. Been in shop four times within 11,000 miles, and two more times since then at 16,000 miles. Pulls to the left, BIG blind spot to the right rear, rattle in the dash and the 3.3 V6 has a hesitation at low speeds when you give it gas that has almost got me hit (Toyota claims that it was designed that way). Hood is magnet for rocks and paint is inferior. All of these issues can be found on the Toyota Owners boards and on the complaints section of the NHTSA website.

• 

  Honeymoon is over - and I still LOVE THIS 4RUNNER! - 2016 Toyota 4Runner
  By D Johnson - December 4 - 5:36 pm

  Simple review: Buy one if you want to off-road more than the average bear! Reason for purchase: 4x4 alone quite often and needed a reliable vehicle to get me into the middle of nowhere. As an amateur astronomer, I also needed room for dry/clean storage. Also needed an interior long enough for sleep (I dont tent). To me its a truck with extra seating and storage. The 4x4, including crawl, locker, and terrain select have been used quite extensively by this driver. Ive been in back country fresh snow (a few times now), mud, and desert. The factory Dunlop GrandTrek tires remain as the Achilles heel when playing in fresh deep snow or mud. So far (knock-on-wood) the 4Runner has taken everything Ive thrown at it. Of course keep in mind being alone miles from nowhere Ive had to keep a conservative approach to things! Engine: (in my opinion) - this is a truck with a large but factory choked V6. Toyota probably keeps it detuned for long lasting and reliable reasons! Im certain this rig is easily capable of 325+ HP if tuned. Transmission: The 5 speed is dated (albeit reliable as it approaches the end of the development cycle). Even with these minor noted issues, there are no driving complaints. There are no issues merging with traffic or anything like that. I have not towed with it (probably never will), so I cant comment on the 5000 lb rating. Interior - seats are great, heated too. No issues with steering or controls in general. Surprisingly no rattles yet; however I anticipate them as the vehicle ages and is used for intended purposes. Touch screen could be a little bigger. Love the dual map mode - use if often. Audio system is a non-issue - works great. Be nice to have more USB ports. REAR WINDOW DROPS. Yeah, capital letters there - big deal, that rear window....a BIG factor in my purchase of this vehicle. Hauling lumber in an SUV - no prob here. See if you can name all the current SUVs that can drop the rear window? I could type forever and bore you with details for which you will not really get. Lets just say if you want a capable vehicle that will mostly keep up with a stock Wranglers the 4Runner may be your ticket.

• 

  great little car - 2018 Toyota C-HR
  By h rahman - December 4 - 5:06 pm

  better gas mileage than predicted. depends on the traffic and day 30-35 mpg