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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  97 Avalon - 1997 Toyota Avalon
  By jish - December 28 - 2:23 am

  I bought the car used for $3500 in 2006 with 207k miles, and it now has 243k miles. The car has been very reliable for me overall. I have done some preventive maintenance, such as change the original timing belt and water pump at about 220k miles (recommended to be done at 100k miles). The car did develop some squeaky noises in the front suspension, but this was fixed by replacing the strut mounts for about $250 including labor. Also, the front drivers window stopped rolling up and down for about 6 months (luckily it was stuck in the "up" position), but then magically starting working again. Overall, the car has been excellent. I look forward to driving it at least another 100k miles.

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  The Car That Never Dies - 1999 Toyota Camry
  By Ash - December 27 - 10:34 pm

  This was my first car and honestly it was great. The car lasted up to 230,000 miles, and the only reason it died was because I had given it to my irresponsible younger brother who had driven it for 30,000 miles without getting a single oil change... even after that with a huge knock under the hood, it would still start up and drive down the road. PROS: 1. The transmission was great. The car had no problem going 100 mph... it actually had a better ride going faster. 2. It ALWAYS started. Most reliable car ever. 3. Awesome sound system for a stock radio. My bass bumped better than a custom speaker. 4. It was okay to slack a little on oil changes. Now for the negatives... 1. Electrical problems. The cigarette lighter stopped working as well as one of the power outlets. It was not a blown fuse either, they just stopped working for no rhyme or reason. 2. CD player would skip when hitting the brakes or taking a right turn. 3. The cassette player would spit a tape out when the car was cold. No problems once it started heating up. 4. Easily weighed down/bottoms out. Fitting five people in the car and driving over a small bump would be the scariest thing ever. 5. Constant minor repairs. Ive had quite a few with this car out of the six years that I drove it... Repairs: 1. Struts. I think I replaced them three or four times. I would drive through a massive pothole and the stuts would be fine... but then one day out of random, theyd be s***. 2. Replaced the timing belt at 180k. It was previously replaced at 90k. 3. EXHAUST. I forget the amount of times I had gotten a random whole in my exhaust pipe. I remember it happening to me very frequently. 4. It had another on&off problem before I had given the car to my brother where I would start it and the RPMS would go very low causing the car to stall out. I have no idea why this happened, but I would give it a few mins and it would be good to go again. It would do this a couple of times every few months or so. All in all, a really reliable car. I still see them everywhere in 2015 and there is a reason. That car had taken me everywhere and I beat it up... but it always drove.

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  Downsized from Lexus ES 300 - 2010 Toyota Corolla
  By AJ - December 27 - 5:23 pm

  Bought the car 1 week ago to replace a perfect, but aging 2002 Lexus ES 300. I like to sport look of the Corolla S and thought I would be sacrificing a lot but not really. No heated seats, no leather (in my model) and no 6 disc CD changer but thats about it. Gas mileage is excellent and car is more than what you would expect to get, with the price tag. Really liking it so far and I know this car will be burning gas down the NY roadways for many, many years to come.

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  Beware sunroof installation - 2003 Toyota Corolla
  By brian76 - December 27 - 10:00 am

  Seats R bout as mushy as your Dads old recliner.Warning: if U can wait for a Toyota-installed sunroof do it.Dealership told me the only way I could get 1 w/ the sunroof right away is to get it installed by the company they have a contract w/.They assured me quality would be just as good.(Sucker) The headliner near the rear window flaps in the breeze.I took it back to get fixed & its a little tighter but totally different f/m headliners in the non-sunroof Corollas.Havent seen a Corolla w/ Toyota-installed sunroof yet & really want 2 know if there R headliner issues in those.Just hoping the headliner wont be sagging in a few yrs like an 85 Lincoln.

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  Not as rugged as I had hoped for - 2014 Toyota Highlander
  By mlfiam24 - December 24 - 5:48 pm

  This car is quite pricey. I wouldnt have even thought about buying it if I hadnt gotten 20K trade-in for my Tacoma. For the price, the quality is not that great. The shiny, cheap looking wheels disintegrate if you brush a curb and it costs $600+ to replace each one (not including labor). There are tiny spots missing paint from a bad paint job on the assembly line. Both front windows make a terrible loud screeching sound when you put them up and they hit the frame. And lastly, if you make chrome roof rails, why would the only option for roof rail bars be in cheap looking black plastic?

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  Great Truck - 1995 Toyota 4Runner
  By John Fogle - December 24 - 10:00 am

  I love to drive this truck, its comfortable, but lacks power. Being 64" it could use a little more leg room. Gas milage could be better. Also had a blown head gasket while going up a grade on the freeway, temp. gauge never moved off normal, so cracked the block. Toyota claims that the head gasket recall of earlier engines was fixed and I was stuck with the cost of a new engine.

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  AEWSOME - 2004 Toyota Sequoia
  By FF757 - December 24 - 10:00 am

  Great Truck I love it

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  Stuck in the snow, even 2 inches of it - 2006 Toyota Sienna
  By familyof7 - December 24 - 1:33 am

  The Sienna was new when we bought it, and it has all the major options, which means we paid top dollar. We love the navigation, entertainment and other conveniences that make traveling with our kids easier. The kids ride in car seats though, which could explain their comfort. We recently took our first long-haul trip and had the aching backs to prove it. Never again! We had intended to keep the Sienna for perhaps a decade, which is why we went for all the options and didnt mind the price so much. After all, Toyotas have a reputation for lasting. We are getting rid of it, however, because it handles terribly in the snow.The Sienna literally gets stuck in two inches of snow. What a nightmare!

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  The plain yogurt sedan - 2004 Toyota Camry
  By steam loco 76 - December 23 - 11:10 pm

  This was my first Toyota and probably my last. Transmission replaced at 2300 miles. Problem returned at 5600 miles-traced to faulty valve body. Trunk lid rust at six months- repainted under warranty. Several squeaks and rattles from the dash and front door could not be fixed. Thermostat failed at 40K, not covered. Steering intermediate shaft loose and clunking at 42K. Toyota refused coverage even though a TSB was issued about this problem. Repair cost over $600. Engine always used about 16 oz of anti-freeze every 5K. Toyota said that was "within tolerable limits". Drive by wire throttle tip-in is very abrupt making a smooth launch tough.

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  My 2006 Pre-Runner - 2006 Toyota Tacoma
  By Blackie - December 22 - 9:56 pm

  This is my fourth Toyota, a Tacoma Pre- runner SR5, and its probably going to be my last one. I love my Tacomas looks, quality and performance; but there is no adjustment for raising the drivers seat. I sit much too low, and I am 59" tall. Also, theres no audible signal from the remote door locking device; I have to watch the turn signal lights to see if they flash. I know this sounds like petty stuff, but Im tired of Toyota doing things on the cheap in their top-of-the- line vehicles. Next time Ill take a closer look at the competition.