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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  A Great Driving Car - 2000 Toyota Avalon
  By TXGeo - January 23 - 4:16 am

  The Avalon is an extremely quiet, great riding & driving car. Its comfortable, has good accelleration, and handles nicely in traffic. The interior is clean with enough techie features to give it the upscale feel of its Lexus siblings. Plenty of headroom and foot room, even for tall people, and even though Ive never sat in the back Im told its very roomy even behind the driver with the seat all the way back. Its at the top of my list for my next new car.

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  complete package - 2005 Toyota Tacoma
  By yacht kid - January 23 - 2:53 am

  Just bought truck yesterday after months of research. Has TRD Sport Package with towing,had to have the rims and limited slip,well worth the $ for. Had it narrowed down between this and nissan frontier; however, toyota won out over because of, room in back seat for my daughter with car seat, more standard features, nice gauge cluster back lit red,adjustable cup holder sizes, and just a bigger truck over all. Have had 4 nissans previously, but now they cost just as much as toyota. researching resale on net found toyota had better residuals after 4 years than competition. And wife thought it looked better!

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  New Camry after 18 Years - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By tyly - January 23 - 2:30 am

  I selected the Camry for its comfort and reliability. My old 1989 Camry is still running well giving great mileage (40+mpg highway) with minimum maintenance. This new Camry is indeed very comfortable with quiet and soft ride. This car coasts well with no pedal as is the old one. Usage is too short for any words on reliability. Actually a little turned off with the new styling. What I dislike most about this new model as well as most new sedans these days is much reduced visibility, big blind spots, thick body and thin windows. Styling is to blame. I have to get the body size molding from eBay because the dealer cannot provide them. Mileage is mediocre at an average of 25.

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  Windshield Issues - 2016 Toyota Tacoma
  By William Morris - January 23 - 1:17 am

  I traded in my 2009 Tacoma for the 2016. First impression was that it had everything that I wanted that the 2009 didnt have. It was lacking a little in the storage compartments with the redesign, but for me that is a minor issue. I love the technology, but do struggle a little with the bluetooth which doesnt want to talk from time to time. Could be a phone compatibility issue. I love the style, the comfort and the brand. But, with this model there is one thing Ive had problems with and thats the windshield. At 200 miles on the odometer, I picked up a pebble on the interstate that smacked the windshield and spider webbed it. I used to get hit by pebbles all the time in my 2009 and never even got a chip, much less a crack. I figured it was luck of the draw until I went to have it replaced. The windshield replacement company made a comment on how many 2016 Tacomas theyve had to replace windshields on. I did some research and found that they are using a new multi-glass layered windshield to cut down on cabin noise. It only makes sense, more layers = thinner glass on the outer layer making it more susceptible to cracking or chipping. At $1200 its no cheap replacement either. But, after paying my deductible, the insurance company took care of it. Now at 2700 miles on my odometer, guess what? Another pebble and now another cracked windshield. Because its new, they have no data on breakages at Toyota. I filed a report today. I have a strong feeling this will be a recall issue.

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  06rollaxrs - 2006 Toyota Corolla
  By 06rollaxrs - January 22 - 10:40 pm

  I absolutely love this car, it is pretty surprising how quick this car is! Also loving the gas mileage! Handles amazing. Id line it up against a stock Civic si vtec, or a stock mustang gt, at anytime! Already beat both! All I can say is wow!

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  Till death do us part! - 2000 Toyota Camry Solara
  By Hal Kelly - January 22 - 6:47 pm

  This is my second 2000 Toyota Solara. I purchased my first in 2009 when it had 103,000 miles on it. I really wanted a newer car, with less miles, but I "settled" for an old car with high mileage, wondering if I had made a mistake. Fast forward to September of this year, my mistake" now had 310,000 miles. It was beginning to show its hard, long mileage. So needing a reliable long distance vehicle for my job, I bought ANOTHER 2000 Solara with ONLY 176,000 miles from a couple that decided their poor old car was aging. Yay for me!

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  Corolla, Not a Bad Little Car - 1997 Toyota Corolla
  By Robert Gould - January 22 - 12:10 pm

  I was the third owner of this Base Corolla with 97,000 miles. It was a little beat up, but in great running condition. Had to put a timing belt on at 100,000 miles, put some speakers in the back"only came with two up front" and cd player. I have not had any mechanical problems, runs well and rides like a compact. The Clear Coat finish was flaking a bit on the roof and truck when I bought it and has continued, not sure if it pays to have it fixed. I payed $4800 in February 2009. Overall this car is nice, not very big and does not ride like our 96 Camry. Good cheap car.

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  Not what its cracked up to be - 1993 Toyota Camry
  By mark - January 22 - 9:33 am

  I have spent a lot of money on this car in repairs. It never seems to end every time I fix something another thing breaks. Transmission went bad at 103.000 miles over $1,800 to fix. 2 cv axles went bad at 67.000 miles. Water pump needed replacement at 71.000 miles along with the timing belt, tensioner, radiator went at 91,504 miles, now car has developed a major oil leak at 113,000 miles and was told its leaking from the head gasket a cost of $900.00 from day one this car makes all kinds of noise when cold out something to do with bushings in the front and rear. It has a 4 cylinder motor which only gets 12 miles to a gallon. My next car will not be a Toyota. Im thinking of a Nissan altima

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  Over Rated - 2005 Toyota Sequoia
  By snoopy - January 22 - 5:13 am

  Traded a 2003 Suburban. Would not do it again. The Suburban has it all over the Sequoia when it comes to bells and whistles. Very disappointed in the Sequoia. As for reliability, already the plastic connectors(a .05 cent part) on both ends of the latch rod have broken. The Suburban has more room and cargo space. I got better gas mileage on my Suburban than the Sequoia and the Sequoia is the Limited model. Although it is made in Indiana and my Burb was made in Canada apparently my Sequoia was assembled either on Monday or Friday. In 2007 the Suburban is supposed to have an all new look. I will probably be going back to a Suburban. After all the Suburban is the Grandaddy of SUVs.

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  Toyota Reliability? - 2006 Toyota Avalon
  By Thomas Anzalone - January 22 - 3:03 am

  I purchased a Toyota Avalon because I thought I was purchasing a reliable vehicle-this has been anything but the case. At 58000 miles I noticed a trail of oil leading up my driveway. Upon looking under the vehicle I noticed oil pouring out of the engine compartment (oil light never turned on). The vehicles vvt-i oil lines failed and the vehicle needed to be towed to the dealership. Ironically 2 weeks after this happened I received a service campaign notice from Toyota "recalling" the faulty oil lines. Incidentally the oil leak contaminated the alternator resulting in it being needed to be replaced. At 59000 miles the steering shaft began to clunk and now needs to be replaced ($379).