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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  Love my FJ - 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser
  By charles s - January 13 - 9:40 pm

  My FJ has been a great vehicle to own. I have added some extras to make it even nicer and more fun to drive. Have BBS rims, nerf bars, Clarion DVD nav stereo, bull bar with skid plate and the ever popular back up camera. It accelerates nicely for a vehicle this style. Very easy to accelerate to 100 quickly. Runs great in the snow. The cons would have to be gas mileage, unstable in windy conditions (gusty over 30 mph winds). I feel it is very roomy inside as I am 65 230. My kids are 10 and 7 and have no problems getting in or out the back doors. Maybe a bit more room in the back would be nice. Have used only synthetic oil since purchase and have added a K&N filter. A solid 9 out of 10.

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  Love this car!! 44.9 actual mileage! - 2007 Toyota Prius
  By Happy with my Prius! - January 13 - 5:10 pm

  I should have bought this car years ago. I cant rave about it enough. Its still large enough to get everyone around town and it sips gas. I drive a lot and drive hard and this Prius has really stood up to the challenge. I just love it. Get one today. Youll love it too.

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  Love It! - 2007 Toyota Avalon
  By Love It - January 13 - 1:56 pm

  Bought the Limited, and was sold on the smooth, almost silent ride, super engine and trans performance, great looks and the luxurious interior. For us, in Florida, the perforated and ventilated leather seats sold us on this trim level. No more sweaty back! Worried about door dings in the beautiful white pearl paint, so bought the factory, color matched bodyside moldings for $150, and installed them myself in about 20 minutes. They enhance the appearance. I hope the mileage is as rated. Advantage w/the Avalon over much of the competition, is regular fuel.

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  Still not as smooth and quiet riding as the competition - 2015 Toyota Camry
  By gemigniani1 - January 13 - 11:27 am

  I bought a base 2015 Camry LE with tall 16" Firestone Affinity tires hoping it would be the softest and quietest riding 2015 Camry available. While fairly smooth and quiet, the 2015 Camry LE is not quite up to the level found in the 2015 Hyundai Sonata and its far behind the very smooth and quiet riding 2015 Ford Fusion. While bump impact harshness is not too bad, the ride still feels busy compared to the Sonata and Fusion because the body structure is not as rigid and dampened against road vibrations. Drivers seat comfort is another area where the 2015 Camry also falls short of the competition. Like the 2012-14 Camrys the drivers seat bottom is short and feels hard after 10 minutes

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  174,000 miles and running strong - 2007 Toyota 4Runner
  By pkellogg - January 13 - 7:05 am

  Yes, I know I drive a lot. This review is on a 2007 SR5 4WD - 174,000 miles. Car has been great..I cant complain about anything. It just developed a small drip where the transfer case bolts to the transmission. About $2K to fix this..so likely will get a new car soon. Did oil changes when the light came on, did 100K service when needed, thats the only things I have done to this car. MPG is consistent at 20.9 on mostly highway driving.

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  Reliable, Reliable, Reliable - 1999 Toyota Tacoma
  By keith - January 13 - 4:03 am

  SR5 V-6 4x4 5 spd - all I have done to this truck is oil, front brakes, plugs, tires, shocks and service tranny and transfer case. Water pump at 74k under extend warranty and timing belt at 100k ($300 not bad for 100k of driving). Mileage is 20.5-21 overall. Best mileage was 23 highway cruising at 65 (I run 31x10.50 Michelins). The interior is on par with a 99. A/C is extemely cold. I find the seats to be comfortable (Im 62). If you drive it and maintain it the way it was meant to be driven then you will have no problems with this vehicle.

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  ECHO Lover indeed - 2001 Toyota Echo
  By Corey - January 12 - 9:26 pm

  I currently have 149,000 miles on a 2001 model. With good tire pressure management, a clean and waxed car, and careful driving, I consistently am averaging > 47.0 mpg week in and week out during warmer weather. Im waiting for the Endo. I know Toyota will not compromise like smart did, requiring premium fuel and only publishing 40+ mpg from a 1,600 lb car. Come on Toyota! Bring me the Endo now!

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  Just RUN! - Burns Oil, Toyota wont fix. - 2009 Toyota Camry
  By John in San Diego - January 12 - 9:15 pm

  At 100k miles, we had to replace both axles, as the CV joints failed. Headliner started falling at 6 years old. The WORST part is the engine: The 4cyl engine, used in a number of Toyotas is junk. They burn oil like crazy. Toyota recognizes the design flaw, but wont fix anything unless the car burns more than a quart of oil per 1,000 miles. Thats NUTS! My Tundra at 170,000 miles burns NO oil!

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  Timing chain sprocket - 2004 Toyota Camry Solara
  By Bob - January 12 - 6:30 pm

  Great comfort, ride, fuel economy, eye catching styling. At 40,000 miles I took it to the dealer for an engine noise. There was no check engine light on.They changed the belt tensioner. The moment I drove away the same noise was still there. The next week they found the timing chain sprockets teeth were worn. They changed it. Two weeks later the engine quit on me. The timing chain came off, bent the valves and dented the a piston and damaged the cam. They rebuilt all changed all these with the timing chain sprocket being the culprit again. They couldnt tell me why the sprocket teeth keep stripping and if it will happen again.This is the 2.4l 4cyl engine.

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  2007 tundra - 2007 Toyota Tundra
  By wgale - January 12 - 4:10 pm

  Rides like a car, 4.7v8 has plenty of power. 13,000 miles later, only change oil and filter. 17 mpg is the best it has done. I have a cap on it and has all my tools for my trade in it. Love it.