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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  my second Celica - 2005 Toyota Celica
  By Suzanne - June 21 - 7:50 pm

  My 2000 Celica was nearing the end of its lease and I didnt even shop for a different car. I leased the 2005 model and I love it. Its more flexible and easier to handle and has more energy than the 2000. The exterior design is almost identicle to the earlier model and cant be improved on. Eyebrows are raised when I get in the car because its not expected that a grandma would drive such a sharp car.

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  Luv my FJ - 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser
  By TROY BOND - June 21 - 11:46 am

  Ive put over 86,000 miles on my FJ in 2.5 years and not had any problems. It has gone 4 wheeling in various terrain and performed well. Couldnt be happier

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  NOT a 4Runner - 2009 Toyota RAV4
  By MARIA - June 21 - 10:13 am

  I drove an 06 Sr5 4Runner prior to the Rav4....and how I miss it. The Rav4 is cute...not really meant to be an off-road vehicle. The v6 is quick but the engine does whine slightly. I expect my MPG will increase as I only have 800 miles on the SUV (21 combined currently). Styling does need an upgrading and is expected in 2012. Some interior features need more strategic placement.

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  No Problem - 1994 Toyota 4Runner
  By zirkle - June 21 - 10:00 am

  Decent gas mileage. Knock on wood no work has been needed for 40K mi. (has 105K on it) tune ups turn up everything doing really well. Clearance? it has an 8 3/4" clearance w/31" tires, that will go anywhere the engine will take you. Extremely reliable and versatile. No other vehicle has all the same features with such style.

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  best van I ever had - 1999 Toyota Sienna
  By lover - June 21 - 10:00 am

  I already owned three van before I got this van. It is the best van I ever had. I believe I will stick to sienna if I could get chance to replace it. But probably i have no chance since it seems be able running forever. I never had any even tiny problem on it.

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  Tough and Reliable - 2000 Toyota 4Runner
  By Brad063 - June 21 - 10:00 am

  Ive had my 4runner for only a month now but already I see what a great car. It has smooth steering a great ride. But the acceleration house power could be better. Its is very offroad capable. It has conquered everything Ive thrown at with ease. I suggest if you want a SUV that looks good on and off the road that can get you where you need to go no matter where it is in the city or out in the country get an SR5 4x4. But, if you need an SUV that is just for off roading Id suggest a Chevy Tahoe Z71

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  Love it! - 2002 Toyota Sequoia
  By mlbhoosier - June 21 - 10:00 am

  I love everything about my new Sequoia. I had a Navigator and this SUV is so much better. So quiet and drives so much like a car. Leave it to toyota to build a quality SUV.

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  a year with sequoia - 2002 Toyota Sequoia
  By les - June 21 - 10:00 am

  great truck but very overpriced.perfect for long distance travel but difficult as an everyday vehicle.

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  Great Vehicle - 2002 Toyota Highlander
  By Ted83 - June 21 - 10:00 am

  I could not be more pleased with my Highlander. Mine is one year old with 15,000 miles. It has not had the first problem. What more can I say?

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  Love these cars - 2016 Toyota Prius
  By Bruce Homeyard - June 21 - 1:42 am

  Ive always driven sports/sporty cars, 65 Sunbeam Tiger, 70 Datsun 240Z, (30 years of driving station wagons) and 10 years of Pontiac Fieros. I know how a car should handle, and I learned to drive very smoothly and so have always gotten the most mpg out of a car. At 65, when I retired in 2011, I decided that I didnt want to be that old guy driving the 20 year old Buick. I had been following the Prius since its intro and finally decided that Toyota had gotten it right and purchased a Prius 3. Since then every time I get to the end of the warranty (about 18-24 months) I get a new one. Loved the handling (for a sedan) and have pitched it around Watkins Glen race track. In power mode my Prius did the published 10.1 0-60 and thats quite quick for a lower cost sedan with a 95 bhp motor. But the electric motor kicks in like a F-1 KERS when you hit the pedal or Power mode button. The interior was clean and functional with comfortable seats and the all electronic dash, monitoring and mid-dash displays. All the bells and whistles. The only real objections I had with the 11, 13, and, 15 models were the rear window wiper bar, (you dont notice it after a while and it doesnt really hamper vision) and the safety limitations on function use, like GPS or address searches while driving. Heck, if it can tell the passenger doesnt have the seat belt buckled, it should be able to tell you have a navigator to use those functions and not impair a lone drivers safety performance. Mpg on those cars was (not by Toyotas calculator, which is always 2-3 mpg optomistic) combined city/hgwy; 11-50.9, 13-48.8, and 15-48.0. My new wife and change in driving patterns are likely the reason for the slight decreases. When I saw the 2016, I wasnt impressed with the redesign as it looked too much like everything else now than before and a little too angular with less character for me. The seats are narrower and lower, and Im a big, old guy, so I prefer the older ones, but Ive gotten used to the newer. The hood is chopped and easier for the driver (especially shorter ones) to see the actual front of the car. The back-up cam is improved also. The dash is more stylish but the readouts have been improved. Toyota switched the positions of the battery and gas tank and lowered the car a little, so theres no longer as much leg room in the rear, unless the driver and passenger are short. The rear storage area is a little smaller too and the car now has a spare tire, but it still allows a lot of bags of recycling stuff when the seats are folded down. I prefer the old package cover system. The interior is more directed to a younger crowd, but everything is very easy to read and reach; and sun glare on the dash is no longer a problem. Ride and handling are improved, road noise down and the doors no longer sound like tin. The CVT is great and the drive choices have changed. The old system was Evo or Power, The new system has an EV mode (strictly battery), or a Drive mode, which gives a choice of Normal, Evo or Power. Im really not sure what Normal is as I only use Evo and Power is just as easily obtained with your right foot as the CVT just sees it like passing gear in an older car. No trouble passing slower traffic and if you dont use the brakes on hills, youre soon doing 60-70 as it coasts along upping the mpg and recharging the battery. It also seems like the ABS has been improved with less frequent easy lock-up. Ive find the Prius hi-mile tires (all years) iffy in the rain ( I never tailgate) and last year tried a used set of 215/40x17 Nitto Neogen tires with a more aggressive tread for snow. Didnt do much for that, but they were way better for stopping in the rain and no appreciable change in mpg. With all of this, I expected the car to have gotten heavier with less mpg. But no, and I dont know how Toyota did it but for the first 3000 miles Ive had the car my best tank was 63.0, the worst 57.1, overall for 3k 60.8. This is by my calculation not Toyotas which says 63.5. Love these cars and cant wait for the 18 and just hope they dont stick on one of those big mouth bass grills that seem so popular. Id rate the first 3 as 8/10. The 2016 is a 9/10 to me.