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:

• 

  My First Car I Bought On My Own - 2001 Toyota RAV4
  By Diana - November 27 - 2:26 pm

  What a fun car to drive! I have always been a fan of the manual transmission, ever since learning to drive on the Rambler with 3 on the "tree". Guess manuals are a dying breed. I was so lucky to get the 5speed in the gold color I wanted. Yes, I have the dash rattle, but it is very infrequent. Besides I always have the radio on so its not really a problem.

• 

  Very Nice Little Truck - 2007 Toyota Tacoma
  By jleg - November 27 - 12:06 pm

  This is my first Toyota and it is quite a change from my Ranger. It is bigger, faster, and gets better gas mileage. The back seat is great for my three kids and the leg room is reasonable for an adult. It could use a bit more brake, maybe rear disks. The paint has a great sheen and very little orange peel compared to other vehicles in its segment. The engine compartment is cavernous and there is actually room to work if you ever need to get to the coil/plugs or the alternator. Not like the shoehorned engine compartments I am used to from past experience. Overall I am very happy with the trucks performance and look.

• 

  Traded CE for SE model - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By hot se babe - November 27 - 11:53 am

  This thing is soooo fun! I traded a CE model for this 4cyl SE and its a biiiig difference! I hear people talk about the acceleration in the 4 cyl but this is my second 4 cyl and I havent noticed anything at all (and I drive pretty fast). Its still just as smooth a ride as any camry but now all I want to do is hit corners at 60 mph just because I can. I even tried the accord and the new altima and neither one came close to the camry se after you actually give them a good drive. Toyota is definitely the way to go no matter what model obviously. I liked my CE model a lot and but Im 26 years old and I love how people keep looking at me and my sexy car now.

• 

  hunk of junk - 2016 Toyota Tacoma
  By Shane030173 - November 27 - 9:57 am

  Bought mine in oct 2015 and complained about the transmission erratic shifting after a couple days of driving it. After getting the run around from the dealership I called Toyota Customer service. I was told the transmission is working exactly the way it was designed to work. Now I drive a F-150. I have been leasing Tacos for 12 years and 2016 is the worst vehicle I have ever drove. There is nothing good to say about this truck. The engine is weak and sounds like a sewing machine. The transmission is horrific. The seats are so low you might as well sit on the floor. The sunroof rattled and leaked. The bed cover didnt seal and leaked. Entune is worthless, I tell it "go home" and it sends me to IHOP. No power seat, no power rear sliding window, key needed to lock tailgate. Paint scratches when you look at it. Cheap lame fabric on the dash. Horrible on gas, 16 MPGs. Dont buy this over priced lemon.

• 

  The Best Car under $30,000 - 2002 Toyota Camry
  By Palesq - November 27 - 9:36 am

  After researching and test driving all types of vehicles under $30,000, the Toyota Camry outperformed all other vehicles in its class. Looks, reliability, fuel economy, ride comfort, spacious interior: It has it all! When I told my sister-in-law about my Camry she was skeptical (she just bought a Honda Accord) and did not even want to see it. However, she had dinner with us and when she walked by the Camry she stopped and did not move for about 5 minutes! I could see a slight grin on her face that she tried to callowsly hide without success. For under $30,000, you wont find a better value.

• 

  Does Toyota quality still exist? Not my Tacoma.. - 2007 Toyota Tacoma
  By strauchfx - November 27 - 6:39 am

  I recently traded my tacoma, so now I feel I can give an unbiased review. I also own a Toyota Camry and after owning the Tacoma and talking to Toyota customer service I swore to myself I wouldnt buy another EVER. The first thing that went wrong.. a HIGH pitch whistling noise from the front end, Toyota could diagnose the problem, customer service told me "your truck was designed that way".. I figured it out finally, there was a TSB out on the internet for a weak seal on the windshield. Good job Toyota for the help. Next.. The temp/compass thing broke, the HVAC Fan switch broke, only HIGH or nothing. Rear end feel like it has resistance. Strange clunks and bangs. Continued below..

• 

  Buyer Beware - 2004 Toyota Sienna
  By Supherb - November 27 - 5:26 am

  This has probably been one of the most disappointing vehicles that I have ever owned (and I have owned a lot in the past 50 years). Gas mileage has been worse than my GMC V8 pickup, cruise control that downshifts on the slightest grade, run flat tires replaced at 12K, wheels replaced due to excessive pitting, lower control arm bushings worn out at 35K, front brakes worn out at 35K (most of this mileage is long freeway trips) . My greatest concern is with the Toyota tire pressure monitoring system that does not monitor tire pressure but monitors the change in circumference of the tires. This does not work with run flat tires because the tire walls do not distort even with 0# air pressure.

• 

  Great Car - 1996 Toyota Celica
  By johnst - November 27 - 2:00 am

  This really is a great car. Never spent a penny on it other than oil changes. Really fun to drive by yourself, but the engine is underpowered if you have a car full of people.

• 

  2003 Matrix - 2003 Toyota Matrix
  By Dizg1 - November 27 - 2:00 am

  I love Toyotas. 3 of the 4 cars in my family are Toyotas, for they always seem to offer the best in service. I wound up buying the Matrix after being jerked around by other dealers, so my review is slightly biased. The Matrix has really grown on me. At first, I was satisfied with the looks and interior design, but delighted with the Toyota nameplate. Now, I am delighted with the entire car. I absolutely love the layout inside the cabin. I also find the the car to be surprisingly roomy. For a compact car, it seems to sit off the road enough, providing you with a more commanding feel of the road. All in all, I really like my vehicle.

• 

  Problems Problems Problems - 2002 Toyota Sequoia
  By European Car Lover - November 27 - 2:00 am

  I purchased my limited Sequioa in December of 2001 and since then i have put just over 17,000 miles on the car and have had the brakes fixed for the same problem 3 times! I used to own a 1998 Lincoln Navigator and drove it the same way I drive my Sequoia and never had any problems with it. In my opinion the Sequioa looks like a 4Runner on steroids! Also the front passanger seat doesnt raise up and down! For what I paid for it, I was expecting a lot more!