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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  Downsized - 2006 Toyota Tacoma
  By Tom Godwin - August 12 - 8:03 pm

  Got out of Chevy 4 door crew cab. Good truck but 5.3l 8cyl was only averaging 13.2 miles for driving habits. Got 18 on first tank with Taco. 10 gallons less a week. Old truck was very comfortable because of size but I didnt really loose much here. It is actually very comfortable for its size. Prerunner has nice high-ride feel too. Plenty of power.

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  The smartest truck out there - 2007 Toyota Tacoma
  By esteyskal - August 12 - 7:26 pm

  It doesnt have as much hp as the frontier or ridgeline. However it tows more, has a higher payload rating and accelerates better than both of them. All the while it gets better gas mileage. Off road it is tough yet comfortable. The tacoma is the best compact truck out there period. It is expensive. You certainly get the value for what you are paying however a frontier becomes much more lucrative when it is $7k less.

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  too many gimicks, and no way to turn em off - 2016 Toyota Tacoma
  By James r - August 12 - 2:43 pm

  An accident that totaled my 2004 Tacoma extra-cab prerunner, caused me to need another vehicle. I liked my 04 Tacoma so much, I decided to replace it with the newest version of the same thing... a 2016 Tacoma trd sport access cab. The 2016 Tacoma sure is pretty, and it is a Toyota, I will give it that much. Like the history of the automotive industry in general, there comes a point where, (how do I say this?), advancements achieve a point of critical mass, and what are intended as advancements are actually something more like a de-evolution where the latest greatest may mark change, but not necessarily change for the better. Where there used to be a simple radio in my 04, the 2016 has a thing called a "head" which to me is little more than a glorified TV screen in the dash. The head is basically a touch screen operated onboard computer, with all kinds of the latest techno junk: Satelite, navigation, audio, weather, apps, and on and on and on. All I wanted was a reliable truck, not a computer, not a social networking tool, (and, oh joy) stock market info and a portal to buying movie tickets. Welcome to the future. No thanks. Maybe its "just me", for expecting a better version of what I had in the 04, because what I ended up with "in my opinion" is a truck loaded with the latest... unnecessary, annoyingly distractive, sound and light polluting... technology. Where to start with how this truck just isnt working for me, (and it seems more like Im working for it). Advanced blinding light features- I back out of my garage when its dark out, the head screen lights up the interior of the truck so much, it makes it really hard to see anything outside of the truck. I know what your thinking: just turn the screen off... right? Did that, it requires interaction on the touch screen... by the way, not one move, but a few, to make it go black. And yeah, I adjusted the back up screen to its lowest brightness, still too much light in the interior to see outside. Putting it in reverse automatically engages the back up camera, which automatically lights up the head screen. Turning off the head screen off under general settings does not keep the back up screen from coming on automatically when put in R. Turning off the back up camera requires an independent and separate set of moves. I just want to put it in reverse and be able to see outside of my vehicle in the dark conditions, not devote time to having to a bunch of fidgeting with all this electronic button pushing junk, just to kill this TV screen thing from blaring light that is making next to impossible to see beyond the interior of the cab. Annoying! In daylight conditions, the screen light does not present this issue. I like the back up cam, its really handy. But guess what? If moves were made to turn it off, moves are required for turning everything back on again. So again, rather than just putting it in gear, gotta play with the damn technology again. This is what I mean as the difference between the truck working for me, and me working for the truck... too much technology interaction by the driver required. Anybody reading this whos a hunter can relate to how the following features are less than desirable: Annoying sounds that come standard, and no shut off controls, on my brand new 2016 Tacoma- Mine is the push button, keyless ignition, version. If youre really into annoying sounds, I highly recommend you go for this version! Oh yeah, its cool to be able to grab the handle and it automatically unlocks... and to simply touch the handle and it locks... that part is awesome! Heres the catch though, an audible "beeping" and running lights flashing happens every time, no option to off those ... wa wa wa, not cool. Lights and sounds, a great feature intended to impress innocent bystanders how cool you are to be keyless? FYI- the lock mechanism functioning all by itself is audible enough, and you can feel the mechanism move too. So why the added beeping and the lights flashing?... and why no way to turn off the lights and sounds? Okay, maybe thats not entirely fair. There is a little sliver of a key in the electronic fob that can be used to open the door with no sound and lights involved. I wonder if the silence with the key has anything to do with not needing to advertise an old technology? the key is so miniscule, it like a high tech toothpick. The keys primary function is as a back up if the keyless technology fails, you can still get inside the truck. But if you have to use the key, good luck with the push button start. Can o worms! Door ajar is another annoying beeping sound effect. Yeah, I want my door open, okay? Theres nothing wrong with that. The beeping though... there is something wrong with that... its annoying! Seat belt not fastened sound effects- my dog sitting on the passenger seat triggered this one. Yeah, I know, the dog is not wearing a seat belt... slow beeps evolving into rapid beeps.

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  Camry fever - 2017 Toyota Camry
  By Bryan Lumley - August 12 - 2:27 pm

  Very reliable car. This is my fourth Camry. No major repaires and I have never been stranded on the side of the road. If you want a reliable car this is it.

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  Former Lifetime GM Owner - 2007 Toyota Avalon
  By Former GM Owner - August 12 - 10:00 am

  I have purchased 5 new GM vehicles since 1994. The new Toyota Avalon XLS is superb so far, great handling, quiet ride, super gas mileage on 87 octane regular. The Avalon 3.5 engine has so much more power than my Buick with 3800 engine, its sometimes almost too quick. I ordered the sound deadening package which maybe just an undercoat, but it sure rides quiet. I like the well lighted large letter display.The special oil filter valve that keeps all the oil from draining back into the pan, and the 6.4 quart oil pan should add engine life.

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  Best Car Ever - 2000 Toyota Echo
  By Love my ECHO SF CA! - August 12 - 2:10 am

  I bought my 2000 green 4 door Echo with only 15 miles on it. The car is simple, economical, and extremely reliable. Of all the car that I have owned, the Toyota ECHO is my favorite car.

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  Not up to date - 2009 Toyota RAV4
  By pipesmoker - August 12 - 1:00 am

  I have to say that I am more than pleased with the RAV4. I think the V- 6 is a little much for the transmission. At times is shifting his rough. This was the first time I have had a Toyota in 15 years. At that time I had a truck with 135,000 miles on it. I recommend to people as a good buy for its price.

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  Nice family SUV - 2008 Toyota Sequoia
  By Anthony - August 11 - 4:23 pm

  This family SUV is very nice. I traded my 03 Sequoia which I like. What I like the most is the safety features this vehicle have and off course the 5.7L engine very responsive and fun to drive. It is also more roomier cargo especially if you have the 3rd row folded.

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  Had high hopes but disappointed in the Venza. - 2015 Toyota Venza
  By Dan - August 11 - 7:35 am

  We test drove a 2013 Venza Limited AWD. 24k miles. The LED daytime running lights looked great as did the hid headlights. Old style tail lights not so much. The seats were wide but lacked support. I could not get comfortable in them. The 3.5L had plenty of power, was relatively quiet but there was pronounced wind noise from the puny teardrop shaped mirrors. Very little tire noise despite being 20" Goodyear RSAs with 24,000 miles. Ride was not overly harsh as some reviews have stated. A big disappoint was the artificially weighted power steering. It felt dull and heavy. The interior was a mixed bag. The 2 best features were the panoramic sunroof and the JBL sound system. The dash looked really low rent with varying textures made of hard plastic. The fake wood could not have looked any chintzier. We intended to trade our 2014 Honda Accord Hybrid Touring on this car due to the need of an AWD vehicle since I sold my Toyota Tundra 4WD. Its hard to believe the Venza was a $43k car when new. We drove a new $43k Toyota Highlander Limited and the difference is night and day. I can see why Toyota discontinued production. The Venza seemed to be an overpriced afterthought. Although better looking than a Honda Crosstour it does not stack up well as far as quality of materials and driving dynamics and getting back in our Accord Hybrid Touring removed any doubts that we made the right decision in not trading for the Venza. On the other hand, we were so impressed with the 2014 and newer Highlanders that we are currently looking for a pre owned Certified XLE or Limited. 1/14/16 Update: We found the perfect car for our needs. We purchased a Certified 2014 Lexus GS 350 F Sport AWD with 19k miles. Absolutely awesome vehicle! Its sporty, powerful, gets 29mpg on the hwy. and is a beast in the snow. It was a $60,000 car when new and we bought it for $39,300...... $4,000 less than the MSRP of a new Venza AWD Limited.......and there is no comparison between the 2. It is the highest quality car we have ever owned. And we have owned a previous Lexus, several Acuras and an Infiniti, along with many Toyotas and Hondas since the 1980s. Nothing we have owned compares to this great car.

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  The Big Red Tacoma - 2006 Toyota Tacoma
  By Marc Smith - August 11 - 5:56 am

  The only issue that I have is that this model does not come in the automatic transmission. I have had some difficulty in learning on how to drive a manual again but that has not taken away from my overall enjoyment of this truck so far. This truck has a superb ride and feel.