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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  Poor under body design - 2013 Toyota RAV4
  By josder - January 7 - 6:26 am

  We traded our 08Rav4 in for the 2013 Rav4 We live in Upper Michigan where we get a lot of snow AND under the doors (including the back door)the snow & ice collects and then it melts off in our garage creating a huge mess! When you open the doors you can see the accumulation! This is a real problem and had we knew this before ... we would have gotten a different brand vehicle. Our old Rav did not do this. Perhaps Toyota should re design the doors and eliminate this problem

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  Reliability and holds its value - 2003 Toyota Sequoia
  By appel - January 7 - 2:00 am

  Comfortable car; found that they hold their value much better than the American versions; back seats a little difficult to fold down for backseat access; do like Fords folding flat seats. Love the SUV thus far.

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  Luvin my 4runner - 1998 Toyota 4Runner
  By Cheasapeake - January 7 - 2:00 am

  I have a 4cyl with a 5 speed manual transmission. This allows for a nice mix of acceptable power (no towing) and great fuel economy. 18-20 mpg around town 25 mpg highway. (10 mpg in 4wd) The next problem I have with this truck will be the first!

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  I almost bought the wrong car - 2003 Toyota Camry
  By Steve Eckert - January 7 - 2:00 am

  After 500 miles on a new rental vehicle I realized this is not a highway vehicle. Highway driving is my job and this Camry was all over the road and bouncy at times...must be the little tires. Seating... for long periods of time is uncomfortable. The cruise control position is almost dangerous and hard to operate. Using the center console while driving is dangerous..it is located too far back. The tilt wheel only offered slight differences.

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  Care Free Camry - 2002 Toyota Camry
  By Fred - January 5 - 3:16 pm

  Purchased with 61000 miles it now has 158000 with no problems what so ever. It has been a great car for us and we love it.

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  06 tacoma - 2006 Toyota Tacoma
  By dean40 - January 3 - 7:58 pm

  have had this truck for a year now, and the only thing i have done is change the oil and filters, great truck!

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  2016 Toyota Camry XSE 4cyl. - 2016 Toyota Camry
  By sns - January 2 - 7:12 pm

  I recently purchased a 2016 Toyota Camry XSE 4cyl. and traded in a 2014 Honda Accord Sport. I was going to buy a 2016 Accord but my 2014 Accord had such uncomfortable seats I decided to look around solely due to seat discomfort therefore I searched for and found supportive and more comfortable seats in the 2016 Camry and 2016 Subaru Legacy, too bad Honda doesnt check out the competition because they lost me due to their uncomfortable seats which lead to many physical issues due to the "C" shape seats which are good if youre a Formula One driver or a door gunner on the Millennium Falcon. Those seats gave an unnatural, hyperextension of the neck and back which caused me to place a bed pillow for some relief. GOOD (Comfort, Style, Value) My new 2016 Camry XSE heated, leather-suede seats are so supportive and more comfortable, I can drive more relaxed and natural, and the price was less than an Accord Sport which does not come with heated seats or Moon Roof. The Camry rides well and I get compliments on the look of the car, it comes with 18" sport rims, navigation, XM radio, Moon Roof, heated mirrors(some models), and 2 years free maintenance. BAD (knee room) The Accord had better knee room solely due to having a thinner console profile. I wish Toyota as well as other companies would thin the width of the center console so the knees had more freedom. If I move the seat close to the steering wheel, my right knee rubs up against the console which is uncomfortable for me, that did not happen in the Accord. I hope Toyota engineers as well as other companies would stop with the oversized console width, its unnecessary. Lastly, the leather steering wheel is a very low grade leather, almost synthetic feel. The Accord had a more supple, higher quality leather wrapped steering wheel, soft to the touch. Overall, Im glad I switched to the Camry it was time for a change and I am happy at this time with my choice. It was a tough choice between the Toyota and Subaru Legacy Limited, but it boiled done to price for me. The Subaru had the most comfort but it was 3K more, but check out the Legacy if youre on the fence I almost went with it.

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  99 Avalon - 1999 Toyota Avalon
  By rocketdun - January 1 - 10:00 am

  I have had to replace the O2 sensors and several related components. The front struts and strut towers. According to the dealer they were not warrant or extended warranty items. They were replaced about 50,000. I can understand the struts, but not the towers also. This vehicle has a huge rear seat, and a huge trunk, the trunk is big enough to carry lots of cargo

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  first new truck i have owned - 2003 Toyota Tacoma
  By beck - January 1 - 10:00 am

  purchased truck in oct 2001..they just came out with the new design..liked it alot more than 2000..i wrecked my 85 toyota sr5 long bed..it had 220000 miles on it..so i knew i wanted another toyota...i like it but not as sporty as my 85 mis my 5 sp trans...great solid feeling on road..good looking...added chrome side bars..hitch..tonuea cover sprayed in bed liner...ive had the dash replaced due to deformed pad..caused rattles...stil has some ratles and creeks..dis appointed over that..85 had no rattles...all in all a good truck...but i miss something more sporty and fuel effient..may trade

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  Great commuter - 2010 Toyota Prius
  By perfectstorm1 - January 1 - 12:16 am

  Replaced 230K mile Camry which hardly made 25 MPG and lots of repair cost at the end. It drives high 40s (46 to 49 MPG) in winter weather. Cannot wait for warm weather to test Sunroof/fan feature. It drives fine at highway, and corners very well (not much leaning).