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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  Preliminary Review - 2007 Toyota Avalon
  By carhop57 - July 9 - 12:46 am

  I just took possession of the car two weeks ago and cannot provide a meaningful review. However, I thought I would mention what caught my eye for others to contemplate if interested in this model. The alignment of the dash with the doorside simulated wood panels was out of kilter on the drivers side and the front drivers side fender panel was slightly out of alignment. Nothing too serious, but I was expecting perfection. I take the car back to the dealer next week to install side moldings/mudguards and will mention this to them. After I get some mileage under my belt Ill rate again. At this stage rated the car giving the benefit of the doubt.

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  best vehicle ever bought - 2005 Toyota Tacoma
  By rolo - July 8 - 8:13 pm

  Ever since i saw this truck at the dealership i fell in love with it. Its got anawesome design, its fast and it handles great in corners. By far a very good purchase

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  Great reliable small car - 2010 Toyota Corolla
  By JClyde - July 8 - 7:36 pm

  We shopped around quite a while for a "recession car" and finally arrived at the 2010 Corolla LE. We traded in a Jaguar for it. At first going from a Jag to a Corolla may seem like car shock, but my wife really loves the Corolla. The Corolla boasts a nice ride for a small car. The steering and handling feels safe and secure but not especially "sporty", but that doesnt bother us. The car is surprisingly quiet and gas mileage is ridiculously good. For a small car Im impressed. The ride cant compete with an upscale car, but then again an upscale car cant compete with the Corollas combination of practicality, low price and great gas mileage. Were VERY happy and highly recommend this car.

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  Know what you are buying. - 2017 Toyota Land Cruiser
  By PQuinn - July 8 - 7:20 am

  Pros: Looks good, reliable, comfortable and durable. Rugged feel but a refined interior. Cons: Gas mileage is miserable, averaging around 12 MPG, that isnt unexpected. The worst part of the bad MPG is that they combined it with a small fuel tank. This equates to filling up every 3-4 days. If you are over 6 1" you will have to do a squat to get in or you will bump your head. The controls are also set up for a right hand drive vehicle. For example, when you press the seek button to scroll through presets, going to the right takes you from preset 5 to 4 instead of to 6....smh! The moonroof has 2 switches the one closest to the driver tilts and the button further away is to open!!! My conclusion on the SUV is that it is truly a niche vehicle but it is nowhere near an every day truck.

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  Love my Tacoma - 2005 Toyota Tacoma
  By Pb2theMax - July 8 - 6:06 am

  I have put 10k miles on my 05 DoubleCab Sport TRD. I havent had any problems. No paint chips, leaks, or squeeks. The ride is great, for a truck. The engine is great and really accelerates off the line. The engine has a slight "tick" from the valve-train. Toyota says this is normal, but mine went away once I put on some mileage, replaced the stock oil filter with a Mobil 1 M-102 for better oil flow. I also switched to Amsoil synthetic. The Auto trans seems to get as good or better MPG than the Manual trans. I have gotten as much as 24 MPG. The computer will adjust accordingly to how you drive.

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  Couldnt be happier! - 1996 Toyota Camry
  By Melinda B - July 7 - 4:20 pm

  I bought my Camry 8 years ago, used. I fell in love with it right off. Its so comfortable to drive! I never have to worry about mechanical problems, which is a blessing! Every time I think about buying a new car, I test drive a few, but in the end, I cant even think about giving up my pretty little Camry!

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  Happy with my decision! - 2008 Toyota Yaris
  By Emily - July 7 - 3:00 am

  When my Chevy died on me, I wanted an affordable car with good fuel economy, as I commute a long distance. Ive been outstandingly happy with my Yaris. I average 38 mpg (mixed driving, both city and highway) and have a record of 41 mpg. While not the Yaris is not the quickest accelerator, I do not feel out of pace on the freeway. Not recommended for tall consumers. I am 55" and feel that this is the perfect sized car for me. The Corolla feels slightly too big, for comparison. The center gauges do not take long to get used to, and are not as distracting as you would think. Stereo is excellent, storage capacity good for a car of its size.

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  07 Camry SE V6 One GREAT car. - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By delraybob - July 6 - 10:06 pm

  This car drives fantastic, looks great, perfectly acceptable power and handling. A perfect balance of affordability, power, luxury and features. Ergonomics and engineering are second to none at any price. It is the only vehicle I have owned that I am totally pleased with. It is a great departure from my prior vehicles which include a Corvette, Dodge Ram, Sedan De Ville and Explorer. All of the above vehicles I liked but all had some type of issues. I am really pleased with the Camry so far. I have tinted the windows and may add some 18" or 19" wheels but that will be all. Everything else is perfect just as it is, from the one touch sunroof to the steering wheel mounted controls.

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  Great Truck - 2004 Toyota 4Runner
  By LBK - July 6 - 9:43 pm

  The 2004 4Runner is truly an excellent SUV. Ive owned it for 5+ years, 88,000 miles and it has never required service for any problem. Mine has the V8 and it is AWD. It is really a perfect drive train combination. Handles well, comfortable, smooth ride and looks great. My only complaint is that the interior needs to be some design improvements and the GPS navigation could be a little better. See suggested improvements. This aside, Id buy another one for sure. It is the best vehicle Ive ever owned.

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  Stunned in a bad way. - 2015 Toyota Camry
  By Leah Najjar - July 6 - 8:27 pm

  Our 2005 Camry Le needs an expensive repair, so my husband suggested we buy a new car. Its a beautiful disappointment. We have a brand new car that I dont trust. The clock is losing time, the radio has static when I turn on the defroster, and it sounds like the transmission is going to drop out of the car when I press my foot on the brake and put it into reverse. Its not even a month old. The dealership wants to replace the rear windshield, since the antenna is bad. I want a new car. No windshield will be as good as one that is factory installed. Even before the problems began, I noticed the low quality of the materials within the cabin. The carpet is thin. Its almost like lint on paper. The doors to the change compartment and console are so much thinner than the 2005s. I cant even put a business card in there. It makes me think that if they skimped on the materials that the consumer can see, what must be happening under the hood? No, I do not trust this car at all. I started out with a great Celica, and this is my third Camry. Every buy was an improvement but this one. How do they sleep at night, knowing theyve done worse than before?