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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  Poor Gas Mileage - 2007 Toyota Tacoma
  By J. Matthews - January 15 - 12:06 pm

  The drive and ride on this vehicle is very good. The transmission shifts good and is smooth in shifting. The brakes seem to be very responsive and firm. After the fact of purchase I found out that the plugs needed to be changed every 15000 miles. I really find that unacceptable. I changed them and restored the gas mileage back in the 18-20 mpg range. The Tacoma needs the timing chain changed out at 100000 miles. I find that unacceptable. I bought this vehicle for low maintenance costs. I dont think this will happen.

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  2005 Prius - 2005 Toyota Prius
  By From Seattle - January 14 - 10:46 pm

  Good car overall. After two years overall MPG is 40. I have been driving with traffic. I guess if you drive delaying everyone then you can get 50 mpg. Otherwise forget about it. After two years rattles started to develop in the cabin. Toyota should be looking closer at who is buying the car - this is not Echo/Corolla crowd. Toyota, please dont hesitate to make car a few grand more expensive, but make interior higher quality and insulate sound better. I dont need Lexus 450h, I want better Prius. 2007 model adds leather, but seats are still cheapo stuff.

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  Buy the best forget the rest - 2008 Toyota Tundra
  By jmarquez - January 14 - 6:53 pm

  Having owned all of the big three trucks and an older Toyota Tundra, I will say that the new 08 Tundra is the best truck I have ever owned. It can do it all and combined with Toyota quality and great service its a winner. Great brakes, power, towing and lots of room. This truck is great to drive, tow and is fun off road in 4x4.

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  Not what I expected!! - 2009 Toyota Corolla
  By lakiki - January 14 - 5:56 pm

  I bought this car in Feb of 09. I decided to get a brand new corolla since I had another corolla 94 for many years. Great car!!! I guess they dont make them like that anymore!!Three months later the A/C compressor broke, then took it back because of brake issues, ended up with a rental car for 2 days while the parts arrived. The steering is not smooth at all, this car just drifts to the right and then to the left. Seems like it has a mind of its own. Not fun for long drives, even in the city.

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  Love My Prius - 2005 Toyota Prius
  By Denise - January 14 - 12:33 pm

  I have very much enjoyed owning and driving my Prius. It is responsive, zippy and quiet. Its going on two years old and still feels new to me. Ive had a couple warranty items fixed: the windshield washer jets (they werent spraying properly) and the locking component for the glove box (the finish chipped off). Its reliable and comfortable regardless if youre small or tall. I chose Package 4 which has the Vehicle Stability Control and side front and rear airbags. I love the safety features.

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  First car I will drive to the ground - 2002 Toyota Camry Solara
  By Most reliable car - January 14 - 11:06 am

  I just realized today that I put 188,000 miles into my Solara. Normally I replace my daily commuter cars every 2-3 years , but that changed with my Solara. Every single time when I come back from business trip where I rent new cars and get back to my cars driver seat I fill that I own better car. It is my second car which I have almost no problem with ( another one was 1999 Pathfinder ). Only regular maintenance.

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  Dont think about it....just buy it - 2018 Toyota 4Runner
  By Nate 4Runner - January 14 - 6:06 am

  I am the type of consumer that over researches everything and then agonizes for weeks over what to do. Even after I purchase something I then end up researching even more to confirm that my decision was a good one. My lease was coming to an end of what I called my "rental car". That lease was a 2016 Malibu. No complaints about that car...I needed a cheap lease for two years and it did the job. I have had my eyes on trucks throughout the whole lease. So I have been researching mid-size and full size trucks along with some SUVs. If it is on the market, I test drove it. I fell in love with the stance and ride height of the Dodge Ram, of all things. However, I have absolutely no need for a pickup truck of that size. I have a family of 5 and we bring a bunch of stuff with us. I want it weather protected. The crossover three rows are practical but none of them gave me the feeling that Ram gave me. Out of curiosity, I went to look at Tundras. I knew they were out of my price range and again, I didnt need a truck. That is when I stumbled upon the 4Runners. I have always liked these SUVs but never drove one. Grabbed a salesman and off we went. Then all the stars aligned! This was it! That feeling of the stance of a Dodge Ram, way more spacious than a Tacoma or Canyon, the reliability of a Toyota, room for family, a closed rear that can haul everything protected, and that super hard to resist rear window!!!! Me being me, I had to sleep on this and do more research. So the endless Youtubing began. There is no competition for this vehicle unless you go super high end off road or Wrangler. After a bad Mopar experience I will never go Wrangler....plus to get one with 4 doors and a hard top you are getting up there in price. When you youtube 4runners all you see for the most part is 4x4 off roading with lots of mods. This is cool and all but not something that was selling me. I live in Florida. I am not going up any hills, it does not snow and, even if I had a 4x4, I certainly wouldnt push a brand new 40k vehicle to its limits. Fact is 2x4 or 4x4 drive the same on the road, have the same stance and height and the 2x4 version gets 1mpg better gas. Not to mention the less stuff to break argument. So..... I purchased myself a 2018 SR5 Premium (fake leather, navigation and sunroof for premium). The truck had 18 miles on it and it was the perfect color combo that I wanted. The premium/non-premium was a last minute decision. The cloth feels great compared to the "softex" fake leather. However, I have kids. Kids spill stuff. So, I got the softex. On with the review..... I. love. this. truck! We took a road trip to Miami a day after I bought it. The wife and all three kids were super comfortable and loved riding up higher than usual. I dont know what it is but there is just something nice about the way this rides compared to a crossover. It feels like a tank...but like a really comfortable tank! One thing that I thought would bother me ended up not at all.... that is the dated technology. I had Carplay on my Malibu and was dissapointed this didn come with. Let me tell you that I much prefer not having it. Here is the thing about carplay.... You have to be hardwired in and it completely takes over everything. All of the sudden the Apple Music station comes on every time you end a call or end a trip. It gets confused managing bluetooth and usb at the same time. The technology on carplay isnt worked out yet. Thats the beauty of the 4runners tech..... it is simple and has been boiled down to stuff that works. Bluetooth when you want it and only when you want it! A CD Player!!!!!! HD Radio! Knobs! BIG enormous knobs! The touch screen is small and old school but it processes instantly. No waiting for the latest and greatest of apps to load. I even like the lack of auto climate control...especially dual zone... I could never get any of my vehicles to dial in just right automatically. The big bonus of all this is that the lack of tech means there is so much that WILL NOT BREAK! And for Florida winters....open up all the windows including the sunroof and rear window and you basically have a open air vehicle. Such and amazing driving experience on the highway. Around town I love this thing even more. You tower over cars without have a super wide or long vehicle. You can see everything. The extent of my off roading will be dirt roads, grass or gravel. I took it down one dirt road and it felt great. I play on keeping this truck for a long time and hopefully the honeymoon never ends with this vehicle. It just feels amazing to drive and solidly built. Dont let the old technology prevent you from owning one of these. Half that stuff you will not use past the show room. And it will be buggy and it will break. 2 wheel drive or 4 wheel drive, depending on your needs, this truck is magic.

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  Very Poor NVH!!! - 2005 Toyota Avalon
  By Marty - January 14 - 3:20 am

  The Touring is very Boomy (pressure on ears). Every slight road input results in Boom! Hurts my ears. Road Noise at highway speeds is atrocious. Tire slap is continuous and very annoying. For a $30k+ vehicle, I am very disappointed. Please test drive the car extensively before buying. I should have too, except I put too much faith in Toyota. Very cheap sideview mirrors (not even fold-away!). Big gaps between trunk lid and doors, and the body: very un-Toyota like.

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  Great ride - 2007 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
  By KHALIL ABDUS-SALAAM - January 14 - 3:13 am

  I just had to have a 3rd row for the little ones. Adults would feel a little cramped back there. On a flat road surface I reached speeds of 50 mph on electric. You have to start off slow to accomplish this. The radio may need an upgrade. Im not getting many stations on it. But the ride and fuel economy is worth more then you can imagine.

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  380k miles and going - 2003 Toyota Matrix
  By Oscar R. - January 13 - 11:52 pm

  I bought this matrix xrs brand new. Zero miles on it back in April 2002. Now its September 2015 with 380,130 miles on it. Yes its miles not km. this car is a beast. original engine and Six speed transmission Original air conditioning, power steering, alternator,radiator fan. Major parts replaced: Starter Water pump Catalytic converter This car still gets 30 mpg, best car ever owned. My target is to hit 500,000 on it. Odometer will stop at 299.999 miles. To replace odometer its about $850 to do it. I just use my trip gauges to keep track of mileage. The key is keep up with the oil changes.