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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  Transmission Hesitates Dangerously - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By neil1aa - January 22 - 7:16 am

  At 40 mph speed and above if you need a sudden acceleration (such as in a merge situation, at times) the car doesnt respond! It takes several attempts to do so. At some scenarios, this might cause severe injuries or even death! Dealer recalibrated ECU, engine and transmission. Improvement was negligible. Dealer offered to recheck the car again. Test drove identical camry at a different dealer; transmission reacts same way... it hesitates at 40 mph or over! Otherwise, the car is really a great car.

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  My First Toyota - 2006 Toyota Avalon
  By nupe1493 - January 22 - 5:03 am

  I bought this car after the birth of my son. I wanted a good car that would last 10 yrs. and hold its value. I’m usually a sport car/sedan kind of guy so this was a big leap for me. I have been pleasantly pleased with the cars overall character. I love the interior space and omission of unnecessary features. I added an aftermarket wood grain kit that covers the entire dash in the factory wood trip. The car now looks a lot more luxurious. My main concern is the appearance of squeaks and rattles. I would not expect this on a Toyota, especially one in this price range.

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  Luv that Matrix? - 2009 Toyota Matrix
  By george - January 21 - 3:13 pm

  We have owned the Matrix for a year. We purchased at the peak of the gas price run last year and its clear that Toyota gave us no price breaks. We paid $21,000 for the 2 wheel drive car. Its a fun peppy hard riding car with style. Its got poor visibility out the back and only OK mileage. I have the metallic red, no paint chips so far!

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  Great little car - 2018 Toyota C-HR
  By George - January 21 - 9:25 am

  Before I purchased read all the reviews (europe) included. Front legroom is great unless youre a basketball player as well as rear legroom. Used to own a 5.7L hemi V8 and while the power is obviously less in the sport mode its still pretty peppy. If you want a good radio/nav system youll have to go aftermarket like I did and put the rearview camera through that screen and not use the rear view mirror screen (sometimes too much reflection). Love the safety features and the styling. Good gas mileage and plenty of power entering the highway and passing. Want better gas mileage use the economy mode.

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  Very pleased so far - 2011 Toyota 4Runner
  By 4runrfan - January 19 - 8:28 pm

  I own an 04 4Runner with 130,000 miles--this SUV has been as close to flawless as possible. It has never broken down on me--never.Time to hand down to daughter so I need a new SUV. Read all the reviews of the 10 and 11 4Runner and lots of negatives reviews had me looking to Jeep GC, BMW X5. Test drove all three, bought the 4Runner two months ago and havent looked back. Good and bad differences compared to my 04: eliminating the lighted running boards and locking gas cap on the 11 was disappointing, loved my 04 6 engine and its acceleration, dont love my 11 engine with its acceleration. 11 is wider interior and way more comfortable leather seats vs. 04. Overall Im happy with it

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  Second Review - 2006 Toyota Tacoma
  By CRJ Driver - January 19 - 1:43 pm

  My second review. Bought new in 08/06.TRD SPRT. 2300 miles later and still loving it! 1560 RPMs and youre doing 65 MPH. 1800 and you are at 75. I have never seen it go over 2500 RPM. I see no reason to. Quiet, stiff enough but not brutal, nothing but two oil changes so far, poster vehicle for reliability. Seats offer good suppport, tranny shifts silky smooth, no issues with harshness, so quiet its hard to tell what gear you are in. Be smooth on the gas pedal and you will be rewarded. 19 mpg city and 23 fwy. There is no possible way to destruct this truck if you have a head over your shoulders.

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  01 TOYOTA SEQ. - 2002 Toyota Sequoia
  By GJN - January 18 - 3:23 pm

  GREAT VEHICLE, PLENTY OF POWER, GAS MILEAGE IS A BIT OF A DISAPPOINTMENT, AROUND 15 MPG, LEATHER NOT AS HIGH A QUALITY AS IT SHOULD BE, OVERALL A NICE VEHICLE.

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  Toyota Camry - 1998 Toyota Camry
  By dogbert - January 18 - 10:00 am

  One owner, good car, looking at newer model for student going off to college, cd changer, garage kept

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  build mistakes - 2010 Toyota Tacoma
  By rmulder - January 18 - 6:09 am

  the tacoma is an awsome truck with a few small but, painfull errors 1: the ABS and traction contol is too overwhelming(its the reason i lost my first truck.)2: the heater motors have issues and why cant the trucks heater and A/C work better, i can drive for 2 hours on full A/C and im still sweating.3: the rear shocks piled up on me on the last cold snap and now my truck is like an old suburban and never stops bouncing and the rear springs squeak everytime my truck moves.4: there is also a nice leak coming out from inbetween the tranny and motor. its all nagging me and getting old!!!! kind of sucky for 22000 KM.

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  New 4Runner - 2006 Toyota 4Runner
  By Jay - January 17 - 6:46 pm

  Recently purchased 2wd SR5 4Runner. What a pleasant surprise! I was about to purchase a Pathfinder until I discovered it required premium fuel. Went to test drive 4Runner and was amazed how smooth, comfortable, practical and good looking this SUV was. Plus the fact that the 4Runner holds it resale value better, made this a great buy for me. Holds a lot of cargo with seats down and my three dogs dig the room they have. They also appreciate the automatic rear window feature. Anyone looking for a midsize SUV... dont overlook this one. Only negative is I wish it got better gas mileage, especially in these times!