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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  let me down - 2003 Toyota Corolla
  By mike - November 25 - 10:16 pm

  Mileage went from ok to poor in only 5-6000 miles. Corolla started at 34mpg first tank to 27-28mpg after 5-6k miles. I have always gotten better milage than stated except for these cars. The sheet-metal on the car is too thin. It dents when you wash it. The trunks side-walls are not 2-ply. I had a cardbord box dent out the side when driving around a corner. The padding on the seats is sub-standard. When getting in you feel the tube steel in the side bolsters. I am less than 200lbs. Toyota= D-!

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  Best Truck Ive owned - 2012 Toyota Tundra
  By mancheskia - November 25 - 4:03 pm

  Overall very happy with my tundra. There is a fair amount of plastic in the interior that could be refined. Comfort is top notch. The huge center council is great for the traveling Business man. Plenty of power on tap at all times and the auto stick works great for pulling those heavy loads. Double cab passenger room is plentiful with a 62" 260lbs guy able to easily fit comfortably in the back seat. I do notice the frame flex more than on my previous trucks but the ride on the tundras are much better than fully boxed frame. If Toyota would come out with a 3500 Id trade in my current Tundra today, as I know you shouldnt but I have occasionally exceeded the max towing cap hauling equipment

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  Most comfortable car - 2011 Toyota Avalon
  By joseph - November 25 - 2:46 pm

  This is the most comfortable car I have driven in 48 years of driving. Very roomy interior; feels like a luxury car. I road tested the BMW, Infinity, Lexus, and Acura. Avalon beats them hands down in every respect. Unless you want to pretend youre an Indy driver, this car has the best road feel. I recommend you test drive this car before making a purchase on another similar vehicle.

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  Rave Review for the Rav! - 2016 Toyota RAV4
  By david ryan - November 25 - 11:32 am

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  Early Review, Some Surprises - 2010 Toyota Prius
  By Heymull - November 25 - 11:23 am

  The new Prius can be driven precisely, owing to its tight steering and excellent suspension; it feels like a new Audi. My friends are amazed how quiet the car is, especially at low speeds. I look forward to driving now, instead of hating my daily commute. The black exterior paint is beautiful and the light gray interior is cool in the sun, but they keep me busy cleaning. I wish Id gotten a gray (silver) color exterior with darker gray interior.

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  White smoke problem - 2005 Toyota Camry
  By kumgock - November 25 - 6:09 am

  I bought 2002 Camry LE, but sold it soon because the car exhausting big amount of white smoke when start engine every morning. I bought 2005 Camry, just only 73,000 miles. This car happen same problem, exhausting big amount of white smoke when I start engine every morning, So I asked to my friend who has a same model about this matter. He said his car same problem. I,m so disppointed about Toyota engine 2.4. I was report this matter to Toyota customer care, they rejected my asking to repair free of charge, because my care passed warranty, I think this is recall problem, not warranty due to every same model have a same problem. I asked a mechanics, they said it might engine oil leaking in en

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  Good, not great; I can live with it for next 5 years - 2012 Toyota Prius v
  By lucky57 - November 25 - 4:48 am

  Traded a 2006 Prius after 150,000mi. The V , level 3 drives like any Prius. Already gone 8,000 miles. Gets you there but not exciting. Handling safe but uninspired. A 21st century minivan/wagon. Quieter and much more comfortable than my old one. Improved driver seat. Surprising hauling capacity and greatly improved rear visibility. MPG is 44 no matter how driven. The extra length make it harder to park in tight spots. It is almost as long as my other car, a Camry. Feels safer than old Prius, airbags everywhere. The extra size makes a great difference in long drive comfort. Some tech issues with nav/entune. Gas prices need to stay high to justify the price and bland driving experience.

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  Way too much road noise! - 2007 Toyota Highlander
  By Renee - November 25 - 4:03 am

  Purchased new in Aug 2007 after selling my Avalon. Does the job, and its lack of "flashiness" is fine with me. But the road noise - ugh!! My father-in-laws 2004 Highlander is super quiet. So now I wonder if this noise issue is unique to my vehicle or all 07s. Upgraded to Bridgestone tires but didnt help with the noise. Music and conversation has to be at very loud levels to hear. Plan on asking dealership about it.

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  2008 Toyota Tacoma - 2008 Toyota Tacoma
  By Mark - November 25 - 3:13 am

  I am having an issue with steering wheel vibration between 50 and 70 mph and it started that way off the lot (7 miles). Tires were replaced and alignment completed and still having vibrations. So far everything else working ok and mpg is 20 which is better than my other truck was.

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  Dangers of Auto Dimming Rear View Mirror - 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By Fred - November 24 - 12:53 pm

  In the daylight, it works like an ordinary mirror, but at nighttime it works like a strobe. In city driving each time you pass a lit sign it decides whether to darken or stay in daytime mode. Theres a lag time in its transformation, resulting in blinding light reflecting in your eyes when you pass a sign, followed by the mirror darkening, then going back to daytime mode just in time for the next lit sign, thus blinding you again. On the highway, when a car is directly behind you the mirror stays in the nighttime mode, when that car changes lanes the mirror switches to daytime mode and youre blinded by the next car until it gets close enough to activate the nighttime mode.