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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  Best care I ever drove - 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By P Van Allen - January 29 - 8:20 am

  I didnt plan to buy a car that day in August 2006 in Dublin, California. I just wanted to look at a Prius. There sat a gorgeous Jasper green Camry Hybrid. "Camry hybrid? Wow!" I thought. It was larger than the Prius, and about the same price comparably equipped. I have been getting 40 MPG, both city and hwy, pretty consistently since I drove it off the lot. Some gas, like Shell, doesnt go as far. I think some of these people kvetching in these other reviews just didnt bother to learn how to drive a hybrid. It is an art!

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  Buy it! - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By Bill - January 28 - 10:00 pm

  So far so good. Ive owned the Camry for only 2 weeks and both my wife and I love it. This purchase completes the 4th Toyota we now own in the family. We love the Camry and all of its appointments and it drives as nice as they say. I researched this car to death and found for the money, it by far was the correct choice. All in all Id buy again in an minute.

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  Great Product - 2017 Toyota Sienna
  By Floyd B - January 28 - 4:47 pm

  Toyota makes a great product and they did not fall short on the 2017 Sienna. Im renting the LE fwd model and Im surprised how easy this vehicle is to drive, park and how comfortable it feels on long and short distance drives. The shifts throw its 8spd automatic transmission are smooth and quick under ECO mode. If you turn ECO mode off, the shift a ferm, but not harsh. The engine delivers good power(296hp on all trim levels...highest in its class with great fuel economy) but can be a bit loud under heavy load (fully acceleration with ECO mode on or off). The exterior of the Sienna is pleasing to the eye for most people. In higher trim levels, you can get fog lamps, lower body treatment and Altezza rear tail lights. The interior is an accommodating please to be. Comfortable seat front, middle and 3rd row. Driver gets a power adjustable seat with lumbar, while the others get manual siders. This model has the stoll-a-way second row middle seat which gives this Sienna the capability to seat 8 passangers. Great if you are an Uber driver. Super easy to see out of. This makes this van a little more affordable because, you dont really need the blind spot monitoring system, which I believe, its offered on higher trim levels. In the LE trim and higher, you can get the Sienna equipped with AWD. Im only giving this vehicle for stars simply because Ive noticed a few things that could be better or improve. Ive noticed when Im by myself in the vehicle, the 2nd row and third roll seats vibrate. I did not get any complaints from my other customers however that is concerning. I believe if they stiffen the chassis just a little more that was all the problem. I do wish that the fuel door release mechanism was located in a different area . It is very easy to mistaken it for the hood release and for those who are not familiar with the location of the fuel door release , it could make it difficult in the dark to find the fuel door release . Also, unless you get a really good nights sleep and/or you have passengers with you the interior can tend to be a little bit boring. This can cause some drivers to feel tired and/or sleepy while driving. I strongly encourage Toyota does a little more treatment to their interior. Had a similar issue with a 2015 Camry.

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  Safety - 2006 Toyota Sienna
  By Richie - January 28 - 12:50 pm

  My wife was recently in an accident she was hit from behind very badly, she wound up with only a couple bruises from hitting her head on the ceiling of the van, but my 2 year old son who was in his car seat on the passenger side in the second row had nothing happen to him, not a scratch, the whole back was demolished to the point the car is going to be destroyed, but from where my son was sitting to the front of the car everything was o.k, Toyota said they have a thing called a crumple zone apparently it works, the rear crumpled so the rest of the car stays in tact. Needless to say we are buying another one with the insurance money.

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  Loving my 2015 Rav4 - 2015 Toyota RAV4
  By Mommma Jones - January 28 - 11:52 am

  I love my Rav4. I get real good gas mileage and it is realy comfortable for my family of 6. One happy momma.

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  Bargain matrix - 2006 Toyota Matrix
  By jack - January 28 - 10:00 am

  Design of metal sometimes looks like something hit it. Only difficulty is pulling coins out of secondary coin holder because its directly under hand brake. otherwise comfort and roominess, driving characteristics are a bargain for the money. Too bad didnt come with standard tape cassette player.

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  First Toyota - 2009 Toyota Corolla
  By pookaloopa - January 28 - 6:56 am

  My first non American car. I just traded it in on a Ford taking a huge financial hit to get rid of it. I bought a Corolla S for Toyotas reputation of quality and its rated fuel economy. The fuel economy was great I got 32-33 mpg combined with my type of driving. Quality, not so great. Front window gasket leaked as it was installed improperly. Rear seat belt didnt latch, rear window defogger switch overheated and stuck in the on position, windshield wipers quit working. The car had a funny way of steering no matter how hard I tried it always seemed to over correct (thats the best I can do to describe it). Not to mention the recall(for which I have not received an official notification.)

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  Outstanding Truck!! - 2007 Toyota Tundra
  By Marcy - January 28 - 6:36 am

  All of my cowboy friends laughed at me for buying a Toyota. They arent laughing anymore when I showed them my features, towing package, mileage. Once they sit in the roomy backseat they love it! I love my Tundra. :) And yes girls do drive trucks!!!

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  DISAPPOINTING - 2016 Toyota Tacoma
  By Brian - January 28 - 4:09 am

  I am a bit disappointed in the 2016 Tacoma. Tough to climb into; acceleration is not great in the V-6; the 6-speed is constantly shifting; shifting could be a lot smoother; engine noise is bad; road noise is bad; front seat is way too low and too soft - very uncomfortable and cheap looking; heater is ungodly loud on high. It looks great and rides fairly well. Given all that, Id still take it over any mid-size US truck. But Toyota has a lot of work to do if they want to keep the Tacoma as a best seller.

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  Decent Truck - 2007 Toyota Tacoma
  By Mike - January 27 - 10:26 pm

  Overall its a nice truck. Very comfortable, good power and lots of features. The stock suspension would bottom out with a load (400 lb motorcycle in the bed) but there is a service bulletin out to upgrade the suspension if you actually use it as a truck. Gas mileage could be a little better. I average 16-17 MPG, mixed driving and topped out at 20.