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:

• 

  WORST CAMRY - 2002 Toyota Camry
  By John Peter - March 13 - 10:00 am

  This is my 3rd and LAST Camry. I previously had an 86 and an 91 and I am disgusted. The Seats are uncomfortable, the dash is to unusual and the styling is ugly. I do not know why I bought this car and I know I never will buy another Toyota. I should have bought the Honda when I had the chance.

• 

  unsafe car - 2013 Toyota Camry
  By miriamg - March 8 - 7:45 pm

  I purchased a brand new 2013 Toyota Camry 2 months ago. The car keeps stalling out even while driving on a highway. I have almost been involved in a serious accident as a result. Toyota cant seem to get to the bottom of this matter. In the interim I am very frustrated as I am getting the run around between the manufacturer and the dealer. I plan on pursuing NJ Lemon Law in attempt to have my car replaced.

• 

  Prius falling apart - 2013 Toyota Prius
  By cptdan - March 6 - 2:21 pm

  I bought a Prius 8 months ago to save fuel but it has been the biggest mistake I ever made. A few months ago my wife hit a truck tire retread on the highway and the right front of the car shattered in pieces never had that happen in 35 years of driving NEVER. It cost $1250 to fix and a month later a small animal ran out in front of us I think it was a raccoon the critter lived but it caused more front end damage NEVER had that happen. Toyota fixed it for free said it should have happened REALLY?. Now the windshield is cracked; the build quality in this thing is horrendous cant believe Toyota put their name on it. If you are thinking of buying a Prius DONT.

• 

  Needs much improvement - 2003 Toyota Tundra
  By Barry - March 2 - 10:00 am

  Truck is a 2000. Many quiet recalls. . Wrong dip stick, Replaced rear shocks, CD player. Trans shifting, security system, and rear door problems. Really bad brakes. Still not fixed after 2 + years. Weak low-end torque. Fair fuel economy. Too soft a real work truck. Not designed for recreation either. Useless rear seat. Weak bumpers. Trans is cold blooded. Up shifts too soon when cold. Too much tappet noise for a new truck. Rear door mechanism needs work. Not a serious truck. Dont be suckered in by resale figures, or reliability ratings, or sales hype. Buy one of the big three or a Tacoma would be a better choice.

• 

  Needs much improvement - 2003 Toyota Tundra
  By barry - March 2 - 10:00 am

  Truck is a 2000. Many quiet recalls. . Wrong dip stick, Replaced rear shocks, CD player. Trans shifting, security system, and rear door problems. Really bad brakes. Still not fixed after 2 + years. Weak low-end torque. Fair fuel economy. Too soft a real work truck. Not designed for recreation either. Useless rear seat. Weak bumpers. Trans is cold blooded. Up shifts too soon when cold. Too much tappet noise for a new truck. Rear door mechanism needs work. Not a serious truck. Dont be suckered in by resale figures, or reliability ratings, or sales hype. Buy one of the big three or a Tacoma would be a better choice.

• 

  Disappointed - 2010 Toyota Corolla
  By windgrace - March 1 - 1:09 am

  I bought a 2010 Corolla with 9500 miles on it for $15k last summer. Its been a horrible experience. On the drive home a rattle appeared above the drivers side window. I had to take the car down to the dealership once every week regarding the rattle, and they alternated between "Its fixed" to "We cant hear anything." Finally after 2 months they finally found the side air bag was messed up. I have numerous rattles in the headliner, still. The car is eating up tires, as well. Might be suspension issues, but Im sick of dealing with the dealership. Hoping to trade it in for a new Civic, soon. Will never buy Toyota again. And on top of all of this, the interior materials are horrible!

• 

  WORST Toyota - 2008 Toyota Sequoia
  By masterdoc - February 28 - 10:00 am

  Now with 34,000 miles, plastic trim falling inside and outside, rubber insulation on tailgate peeled off, engine with wheezing noise in the dash that 3 dealers cant find a solution for it, awful! Dealer interaction - bad - my other cars are 2008 Mercedes CLS, 2010 Audi S5 and 2005 Hummer H2 - by far this is the worst automotive I have owned! Planning to trade it in for either MB GL320TDI or Audi Q7 this fall! Even the recall repair required 2 visits! I guess the golden era for Toyota is over!

• 

  So this is the car that beats the world? - 2014 Toyota Camry
  By Mark Beeman - February 28 - 1:00 am

  I have test driven a few of these mid sized cars lately, stick with the Honda or Volkswagen. Steer clear of this mechanical miscarriage. I am not kidding when I say I was so happy to get back into my 99 Lincoln Continental. I felt like I was riding in a 70s Chevy Vega. Its obvious now to me most people have no idea what a good riding and handling car is who own these things. This had an omnipresent vibration through the seat like riding one of those dinosaur Disney rides . Every time I went to take of from a stop, the front wheels had to spin on the rainy surface. Try owning one of these in Michigan during winter. "Beam me up, Scotty, theres no intelligent life down here".

• 

  Oil leak, paint mismatch, a Toyota? - 2008 Toyota Avalon
  By kwillliams - February 13 - 5:03 pm

  Bought new, oil leak, difficult for dealer to determine source. Eventually block replaced. Paint does not match. Fenders do not meet bumpers as well as one would expect in a top of the line Toyota. I would never buy this car again.

• 

  Sienna rattles - 2012 Toyota Sienna
  By superchicken - February 13 - 4:32 pm

  We purchased a sienna xle w prem package. After just 900 miles , we have rattles from the rear seats and the dash. Its been back to the dealer once, no fix and going back again. There are many others having similar issues. Were very disappointed. Quality is not there. We used to have a 2004 Odyssey.