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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  Rear end noise - 2000 Toyota Avalon
  By rickdot - September 2 - 10:00 am

  noise in rear struts-dealer says all avalons make this noise

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  Well Pleased - 2008 Toyota Highlander
  By Msmacp - September 2 - 6:20 am

  I am enjoying many wonderful features of my new Highlander. However, I am learning that I was more spoiled than I realized with my Tahoe. Seat comfort on long trips is an issue. There is much more road noise than I have been used to. Would undercoating possibly diminish the noise factor? I attempted to get tires that might be quieter. Due to the size, the tire store owner could not locate options for me with three of the main manufacturers and he did not pursue it any further. Other than that I love not needing to fumble in my purse for the keys all the time. Thats great when your hands are full.

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  Good performance for a V4 - 2005 Toyota Camry Solara
  By S.C. - September 2 - 5:53 am

  So far, I have driven it for 7000+ miles and am still very happy with it. It surprises me how fast and stable a V4 auto can do on the road. The body structure seems much stronger than all other japanese cars that we owned. I dont think I could get a car better than this one at the same price.

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  Tundra Truck 07 - 2007 Toyota Tundra
  By Kent B. - September 2 - 4:43 am

  A joy to drive, lots of power, very comfortable driving position (my wife likes it as well). I have the double cab that provides good room for passengers. Im very happy with the truck so far (1200 miles).

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  Who need a Huge SUV? - 2002 Toyota RAV4
  By New Toyota Owner - September 1 - 11:13 pm

  This has been a great purchase. There is plenty of room inside. Shortly after purchasing the car, I loaded up my wife, two kids, a cocker spaniel, a llasa apso and a rabbit and set off on a 750 mile trip for Christmas at Grandmas. The RAV4 handled the roof top carrier much better than the Olds Bravada I had had before. I never felt as though the RAV4 was unstable. Even loaded down I managed 27 mpg.

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  Best vehicle Ive ever owned - 2004 Toyota Sequoia
  By Rob S. - September 1 - 5:05 pm

  Purchased new in 2004. Ive done all the dealer recommended services. It has 196,000 miles and still drives like new. Ive had a few expensive repairs like the starter and of course routine maintenance like water pumps and timing belt. Ive also replaced a few parts on the exterior due to sun fading. But it continues to be a solid and reliable vehicle. Insurance is lower because its 12 years old as well as registration. Dealership tells me since weve done all the service it should go 300 too 400k miles. My last vehicle was a chevy Tahoe and GMC Yukon Denali. Both had fewer miles and twice as many repairs.

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  Traded X3 for Highlander - 2008 Toyota Highlander
  By DJ - September 1 - 2:26 pm

  Traded a 2005 BMW X3 for 2008 Highlander sport. BMW just dont offer value for the money anymore on the new X3. Family really likes the Toyota. Softer drive but much more comfortable on Quebec bumpy road. Braking is good and strong with some front dive. Plenty of room for family of 4 with dog. Kids love the captain seat in 2nd row.

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  My little truck - 1996 Toyota Tacoma
  By timmybird - September 1 - 2:26 am

  I bought my 96 from my father in law with 96000. He drove long distances to work every day and racked up the miles. It was factory serviced all the way up to the point I bought it in 2000. I have never owned a toy but always wanted one. It was a dream come true for me. This truck ran like a brand new car for a long time. I still own the truck and have replaced the rotors twice, pads, and a plate inside the starter. That is it maybe 300 dollars in maintenance. It has never left me hanging stuck some where looking for a tow truck. It now has 203,000 and still going strong, not bad.

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  Incredible value - 2014 Toyota Avalon Hybrid
  By Scott Campbell - September 1 - 12:32 am

  Im too obsessed with value to buy new when there are so many great-quality used cars out there traded in by the perfectionists who have to have new, or perfect, or both. I gave a test drive to a barely-used 2014 loaded ES 300h and a similarly almost-new 2014 Avalon Limited Hybrid, loaded with the technology package, the Qi wireless charger, and a few other goodies. While I love the look and the ride of both sedans, I almost went for the Lexus but in the end chose the Avalon. Why? Two basic reasons: 1) The cars I drove were virtually identical, but $5,000 more for the Japanese-built version (with identical basic engineering) just didnt make add up to $5,000 more in value, 2) I preferred the ease of use in the Avalons touchscreen interface to the point and click operation of the Lexus. While I might acclimate to the joystick, my shotgun passengers might not. I dont love the stock tires on the Avalon (Bridgestone Turanza; they grip fine but seem to transmit excessive road noise) but a new set of tires can easily remedy that. After 2,000 miles of use, including an 800 mile road trip, I am completely in love with the cars ability to provide a quiet, very comfortable, composed ride with sure handling and minimal sound intrusion into the cabin, and it has delivered an astounding 41.4 mpg according to the cars computer (yes, yes, I know from previous experience that Toyota tunes them about 2 mpg high . . . nevertheless, even 39 mpg is unreal for a car with this curb weight). The Toyota Entune interaction with my iPhone, Bluetooth and such apps as Pandora are all relatively easy to learn . . . and I am my fifties, not my twenties. I also find the capacitive controls for the climate control and other systems easy to use and not a nuisance as others have noted. It isnt perfect: 1) despite the paint protection film, the car only has 14,000 miles and the paint has a few small but deep road wounds down to the bare metal that I need to have addressed; 2) you cant input a new address to the nav system while the car is in gear --maybe with voice command i could do so?), and 3) road noise is minimal, but not coffin-quiet. But hey, come one . . . I didnt pay 60 grand for an LS 460, I bought a used Toyota. For my money, I think I got one hell of a value--very satisfied customer here.

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  Like it, like it - 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser
  By gefader - August 31 - 11:10 pm

  Good solid, smooth riding car. Impressed with the ride quality for a 4x4. Feels like a much longer wheel base. Good power, great braking. Gas mileage between 20-22 mpg, driving 50 miles round trip to work, at 75-80 mph with 87 octane. I purchased with the side curtain airbags for two kids in car seats. Plenty of room to manuever kids in and out.