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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  RAVE 4 2007 TOO MANY RECALLS BURNS OIL LIKE CRAZY - 2007 Toyota RAV4
  By MARIA GARCIA - November 29 - 5:53 pm

  Don’t buy paid 35,000 for the limited 2007 . I dont even have 100 thousand miles and I have to add oil every month and it’s not leaking.

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  Highly dissapointed- will never buy Toyota again - 2009 Toyota Corolla
  By energy_1st - November 28 - 5:41 pm

  2 months after warranty was over (oh yeah!), check engine light went on (P2727) with less than 50k miles. Ended up changing both the torque converter and solenoids as well as the sensor to get rid of the light... 10 miles later, the light went off again... Theyre telling me now that the computer has issues which has to be changed. I dont know whom to trust and what to do next. Will trade in my car for another car which wont be a Toyota for sure.... Yep, Toyotas legendary reliability is only good until youre covered under warranty... My advice to you if you decide buy a Toyota, add an extended warranty...

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  Needs Work Before Ill Buy - 2016 Toyota Tacoma
  By Danny - November 23 - 10:43 pm

  After owning 2nd Generation Tacomas and a Tundra, I was looking for a 2016. I test drove one and there’s work to be done before I will buy. The exterior got a very nice upgrade. Great driver display and dash. The premium technology looked awesome. I also liked the exterior, although the grill is a bit scary unless you have the SR5 or Limited trim. However, the driving experience was a problem. The transmission slipped and hesitated often. The engine seemed to work very hard on acceleration. I know the shifting may settle after driving a few thousand miles, but it was jarring on a test ride. The engine was also very, very noisy—high pitched, like metal on metal. The steering wheel and accelerator pedal buzzed me quite often on accelerating and cruising speeds. I really didnt like that. The brakes had this pulsating ABS feeling with an occasional pop sensation on normal braking, which didn’t feel normal. Those things would drive me nuts. My expectations are perhaps high with owning other Toyota trucks, but these things seemed like sloppy design to me. So I am holding off until Toyota can fix the bugs hopefully with 2017.

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  Disappointed in Toyota engine issues - 2001 Toyota Celica
  By KM - November 1 - 10:00 am

  I also have a 2001 Toyota celica --- with only 70k mileage - has had regular servicing. Oil changes etc. Now I have an engine noise in the transmission, new transmission is needed $3500.00 with a clutch as a bonus. I am so disappointed in Toyota. I used to love my Toyota until today

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  buyers remorse - 2016 Toyota Tacoma
  By James in AZ - October 21 - 2:01 am

  Due to an accident that totaled my 02 Tacoma extra cab prerunner, I purchased a 2016 Tacoma TRD Sport access cab, believing it would be the latest greatest version of the Tacoma I lost. Boy was I mistaken. My 02 was fantastic, everything a truck should be! From the experience of the 02, and moving from it to the 2016..., I gotta tell ya, the 2016 is everything a truck should NOT be. The 2016 Tacoma is symptomatic of the history of the automotive industry in general. There comes a point where evolution and innovation produces near perfection... then what follows is sort of critical mass point where further innovation does more to ruin a good thing, than it does to make it better. All the latest technology... more like, way too much technology. I dont want or need a truck to interact with my phone. I dont need or want a screen full of apps in my dash. I have an iPhone... I dont want or need my truck to connect to it. I certainly dont like a truck that beeps when I leave it running and step out of it. I certainly dont like a truck that beeps because my dog is sitting on the passenger seat. I certainly dont like a truck that beeps and flashes it lights EVERY TIME I get in it. I dont like dont like a truck that beeps just because the cab door is open. The technology is so annoying, and insulting, to anyone who could care less about technology like I do. The worst part is that although a few customizations can be made to curb the distractions produced by the technology, theres a lot that cant be shut off. The moral of the story is: Id rather be driving and enjoying and writing about that, but Im not... Im too occupied touch screen scrolling through menus of junk that has nothing to do with driving, never did, never will. So whys all this junk in there anyway, thats what I want to know? Im looking to sell this truck in the next year. The more I drive it, the more I hate it.

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  I also hate this car - 2011 Toyota Prius
  By mr_bender - October 18 - 3:23 am

  Leased it. It gets 45 MPG from the day One. As an EE I tell you there is no point in those batteries on this car. Any diesel engine can get you 45 MPG. Like VW Jetta does it or Civic. And the price is the same. I am glad I leased it. Just one more year... Quality is better than Camry 09 I use to have and only because my Prius made in Japan not in Kentucky. Bottom line: any car with 1.5L-1.8 L engine is better AND cheaper than Prius. The money you think youve saved is the money you paid for this car.

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  All New Tacoma? - 2016 Toyota Tacoma
  By Munchie - October 12 - 4:21 am

  I am 59 years old and have driven Tacomas for the past 25 years. I would easily upgrade to A Tundra if it fit in my garage. For the past 11 years, Ive been driving the 2005 Tacoma 4x4 TRD Sport 4-Dr Short Bed. Its been a great truck with 82k mi, original brakes and tires, and rides every bit is good as the day I bought it. For what its worth, I hated my 2002 Tacoma (configured the same). I test drove the 2016 Tacoma (same config) and was completely underwhelmed. The engine is not as strong, the interior is inferior, and other than the grill and tail gate, the truck is identical. The trans is now a tiptronic variety which I like, but, at nearly $40k, Toyota is hallucinating. As another reviewer said, save your money and continue to drive your Tacoma. If you really want to upgrade your existing Tacoma, install a Pioneer 4100-NEX head unit and a backup camera (epoxy above the hitch). Toyota, too bad you didnt put as much effort into improving the Tacoma as you did in your commercials. Its not easy to fool truck drivers.

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  Not what I expected from a Toyota... - 2002 Toyota Camry
  By rdia - September 27 - 10:00 am

  This was the first Toyota I have owned. In the past I had driven Honda, Chrysler, Dodge,Cadillac, Chevrolet, Buick, Mercedes, Volvo. This is the worst car I have ever owned. The car has a defect with the driveline that the dealer refuses to fix stating that it meets factory specs. The styling is bland. The handling is mushy at highway speeds. The power I expected from the V6 is less than smaller engines I have driven. Overall... I will never buy one again!!!!! Beware if youre looking to buy one it is the only car I know of that does not even offer roadside assistance unless you buy the extended warranty!

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  Very Reliable Car!!! - 2009 Toyota Camry
  By John Luten - September 23 - 12:57 pm

  The car is very low mileage and I have gotten the car serviced on a regular bases. Great Michelin tires.

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  Worst truck ever owned - 2004 Toyota Tacoma
  By Al - September 7 - 3:26 am

  Having owned a Dodge Ram, and a Dodge Ram Wagon, which I thought were terrible, this Toyota beat them both out. The Dodges were comfortable to drive, but not too reliable. The Toyota is incredibly uncomfortable on even just a short drive. The Toyota has left me stranded 6 times in 2 years. I have owned VWs before and they were 10 times more reliable than this Toyota. No more Toyota garbage for me!