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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  Not Perfect But Still The Best - 2005 Toyota Sequoia
  By Tinyelviss - November 29 - 9:13 pm

  My Sequoia has 8000 miles and runs flawlessly. Ergonomics excellent except for daytime visual of HVAC controls require driver to lean towards center of vehicle. Gobs of space in the back-much more useful than Tahoe. Electric rear window a big hit with the kiddies, but watch out for sucking stinky exhaust into cabin. INterior lighting excellent but needs central switch. 4WD system outstanding. You will really appreciate the locking center differential if you use 4WD more than just on rainy days around town. Vehicle Skid Control really works! All in all a nice looking package that surrounds you in safe quality.

• 

  Fun Drive! - 2010 Toyota Prius
  By Bluebonnet2 - November 29 - 8:40 pm

  Had the Prius 3 weeks and really enjoy driving it. Big change coming from a 4Runner SUV. Debated between Camry hybrid and Prius, but Prius was $3,000 less with more mpg. Waited 5 weeks to get it; still waiting on a couple of options to arrive for it. There is a lot more road noise than I expected on rough roads. Smooth roads are a quiet, excellent ride. Handles very well and parks so easily.

• 

  My 2nd Toyota! - 2006 Toyota 4Runner
  By MzJeepDevil - November 29 - 10:50 am

  I traded in a 2003 Nissa Xterra Super Charge for a couple reasons: a. I wanted something with better gas mileage. b. I wanted a sunroof, with the same power as my super charge, plus I like the rear window being able to go down. c. The 06 4runners car insurance is cheaper. d. A full tank in the Xterra lasted me 4-5 days, a full tank in the 4runner last 14 days. wow eh?

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  Bland.. Its just an appliance on wheels.. - 2016 Toyota Camry
  By TheManInDboX - November 29 - 2:10 am

  Good: Its reliable, hasnt had a single "mechanical" issue, its nice looking and the paint is very good.. The interior look is sharp, and the exterior looks good too.. The accord IMO, which in 13 and 14 were one of the sharpest cheaper sedans around, have gotten way ugly with all the chrome, so a camry felt like a better solution, it is very cheap to run, and insurance is nearly free, the navigation system is actually pretty good, and the upgraded radio sounds very good, you get a lot of nice things for the money.. being a toyota it will likely run 300K miles without any major issues.. (But do i want to keep this one that long?).. BAD: The seats are hard and uncomfortable on long trips, the plastic in the dash rattles, and the glove compartment doesnt want to stay closed when its cold out (I have 6,400 miles) The speedo doesnt actually display the right speed, you can set your cruise at 40mph, your analog will indicate 45mph, and your digital will show 39mph, while GPS shows 42mph.. who really knows which is right, the factory tires are crap, they are loud, they are also awful in the snow and rain, the lack of a traditional ebrake is really annoying in bad weather, and the automatic transmission in anything outside of just "D"rive is pretty useless, the "Sports" or SE model supposedly gets sports suspension, i am still trying to figure out what 90 year old typical camry drivers think the camry is sporty, it rides rough, wont corner, has epic body roll, and is really not at all sporty, my 01 sienna would drive rings around it in the corners.. its like driving a 90s buick.. with roller-skate wheels.. in addition the outside panels are rolled out of foil.. if you sneeze too close to the car the panels will dent.. I expected much more from a toyota, after having multiple ones make it over 400K miles, it looks like my next car will be a hyundai.. Which i should have bought, but didnt because i expected the perfection of a toyota i have grown to expect..

• 

  Bland.. Its just an appliance on wheels.. - 2016 Toyota Camry
  By TheManInDboX - November 29 - 2:10 am

  Good: Its reliable, hasnt had a single "mechanical" issue, its nice looking and the paint is very good.. The interior look is sharp, and the exterior looks good too.. The accord IMO, which in 13 and 14 were one of the sharpest cheaper sedans around, have gotten way ugly with all the chrome, so a camry felt like a better solution, it is very cheap to run, and insurance is nearly free, the navigation system is actually pretty good, and the upgraded radio sounds very good, you get a lot of nice things for the money.. being a toyota it will likely run 300K miles without any major issues.. (But do i want to keep this one that long?).. BAD: The seats are hard and uncomfortable on long trips, the plastic in the dash rattles, and the glove compartment doesnt want to stay closed when its cold out (I have 6,400 miles) The speedo doesnt actually display the right speed, you can set your cruise at 40mph, your analog will indicate 45mph, and your digital will show 39mph, while GPS shows 42mph.. who really knows which is right, the factory tires are crap, they are loud, they are also awful in the snow and rain, the lack of a traditional ebrake is really annoying in bad weather, and the automatic transmission in anything outside of just "D"rive is pretty useless, the "Sports" or SE model supposedly gets sports suspension, i am still trying to figure out what 90 year old typical camry drivers think the camry is sporty, it rides rough, wont corner, has epic body roll, and is really not at all sporty, my 01 sienna would drive rings around it in the corners.. its like driving a 90s buick.. with roller-skate wheels.. in addition the outside panels are rolled out of foil.. if you sneeze too close to the car the panels will dent.. I expected much more from a toyota, after having multiple ones make it over 400K miles, it looks like my next car will be a hyundai.. Which i should have bought, but didnt because i expected the perfection of a toyota i have grown to expect..

• 

  Bland.. Its just an appliance on wheels.. - 2016 Toyota Camry
  By TheManInDboX - November 29 - 2:10 am

  Good: Its reliable, hasnt had a single "mechanical" issue, its nice looking and the paint is very good.. The interior look is sharp, and the exterior looks good too.. The accord IMO, which in 13 and 14 were one of the sharpest cheaper sedans around, have gotten way ugly with all the chrome, so a camry felt like a better solution, it is very cheap to run, and insurance is nearly free, the navigation system is actually pretty good, and the upgraded radio sounds very good, you get a lot of nice things for the money.. being a toyota it will likely run 300K miles without any major issues.. (But do i want to keep this one that long?).. BAD: The seats are hard and uncomfortable on long trips, the plastic in the dash rattles, and the glove compartment doesnt want to stay closed when its cold out (I have 6,400 miles) The speedo doesnt actually display the right speed, you can set your cruise at 40mph, your analog will indicate 45mph, and your digital will show 39mph, while GPS shows 42mph.. who really knows which is right, the factory tires are crap, they are loud, they are also awful in the snow and rain, the lack of a traditional ebrake is really annoying in bad weather, and the automatic transmission in anything outside of just "D"rive is pretty useless, the "Sports" or SE model supposedly gets sports suspension, i am still trying to figure out what 90 year old typical camry drivers think the camry is sporty, it rides rough, wont corner, has epic body roll, and is really not at all sporty, my 01 sienna would drive rings around it in the corners.. its like driving a 90s buick.. with roller-skate wheels.. in addition the outside panels are rolled out of foil.. if you sneeze too close to the car the panels will dent.. I expected much more from a toyota, after having multiple ones make it over 400K miles, it looks like my next car will be a hyundai.. Which i should have bought, but didnt because i expected the perfection of a toyota i have grown to expect..

• 

  Malfunction at 90 miles - 2008 Toyota RAV4
  By wpenny - November 29 - 12:20 am

  I am disappointed with the 2008 Rav4. I turned a corner last night, pressed on the gas and the car jerked and three major malfunction indicator lights came on (4WD, VSC and a lamp). Toyota does not know what the codes are and needs to contact Toyota engineering. 3-weeks old and malfunctions. Should have stuck with the Camry

• 

  I love this car - 1994 Toyota Corolla
  By Ymoja - November 28 - 10:13 pm

  The most practical and reliable car Ive ever owned. In 13 years/153,000 miles, in addition to oil changes/fluid checks, the only repairs Ive had are: water pump replacement, timing belt replacement, front and rear brakes, and dash board light replacement. I love the manual locks and doors... less to break.

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  Good Price and Good Car - 2005 Toyota Camry
  By by McGeorge - November 28 - 9:33 pm

  I got the base standard 5 speed. I like my car. I have been very happy with this car so far and I enjoy driving it. I drive many different cars (rentals) and Im glad I picked this one. No buyer regrets.

• 

  Most Practical SUV You Can Cuy. - 2009 Toyota Highlander
  By Sixbee - November 28 - 9:23 pm

  Toyota has proven that they put a lot of thought into their design with every cubic inch of the inside being carefully thought out. Seat comfort is great, leg room is never an issue, even for a 58" adult in the 3rd row. 2nd row recline is much easier to operate than the competitors. The car handles exceptionally, even with 19" wheels in 6 to 8" of snow, with the snow button on it is hard to make the car lose control. Hands free controls and individual climate controls are a plus. I am convinced for the money and the quality of this vehicle, you wont find a better car. From its lower priced "rivals" from Kia & GM to overpriced imports such as Acura and Lexus, the Highlander is IT!