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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  Everyday driver and fun when you want. - 2016 Toyota Camry
  By Alexander - October 12 - 9:56 pm

  Its a Camry with balls. Push the button that disengages the TCS, and drive (safely), feel the oversteer. I absolutely love the fact that at 70 MPH, up a steep grade of 7%, I can put the pedal to the floor, drop to a lower gear, and accelerate to 80, and pass safely. This car is most certainly "quick" when you need it to be. It feels like it predicts what you need in the moment and responds appropriately. The fun part is, this car is also "fast". I have gone from a dead stop to the floor in this car multiple times, and every single one was different (which is why I wish it had a sport mode, and possible launch mode in sport {hint hint, Toyota!}). This car actively adapts to recent driving patterns, which I think is amazing. This is my daily driver. Tech is there, fuel economy is there, space is there. I know I should drive a Mazda for my driving experience, but there is no comparable model made by Mazda that satisfies all of my needs at the same time like this vehicle. I intend to own it for a very long time. (P.S. Toyota, when you allow this car to function in a "Sport Mode", tone back the power steering, and let the driver feel the road a little bit more :)!

• 

  Everyday driver and fun when you want. - 2016 Toyota Camry
  By Alexander - October 12 - 9:56 pm

  Its a Camry with balls. Push the button that disengages the TCS, and drive (safely), feel the oversteer. I absolutely love the fact that at 70 MPH, up a steep grade of 7%, I can put the pedal to the floor, drop to a lower gear, and accelerate to 80, and pass safely. This car is most certainly "quick" when you need it to be. It feels like it predicts what you need in the moment and responds appropriately. The fun part is, this car is also "fast". I have gone from a dead stop to the floor in this car multiple times, and every single one was different (which is why I wish it had a sport mode, and possible launch mode in sport {hint hint, Toyota!}). This car actively adapts to recent driving patterns, which I think is amazing. This is my daily driver. Tech is there, fuel economy is there, space is there. I know I should drive a Mazda for my driving experience, but there is no comparable model made by Mazda that satisfies all of my needs at the same time like this vehicle. I intend to own it for a very long time. (P.S. Toyota, when you allow this car to function in a "Sport Mode", tone back the power steering, and let the driver feel the road a little bit more :)!

• 

  Great truck - 2002 Toyota Tundra
  By Jo - October 12 - 6:46 am

  I purchased this truck new about 8 years ago. I love my truck. V-8 is always responsive, no hesitation, a/c works great even in south Mississippi summers. Transmission is as flawless as the day it was born. The interior has held up wonderfully, only one temp control knob has split on the inside, looking for a new one! On long trips, its good for about 8 hours before my back gets sore. Exterior has also held up well due to frequent oil changes, tire rotations and wash and wax frequently and this truck will last. No rust. Bed is smaller than a full size pickup, but this is great for parking and moving small loads. Big loads I use the trailer hitch and find a trailer.

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  Great vehicle...but - 2006 Toyota RAV4
  By Jim - October 12 - 5:53 am

  After 11000 miles the drivers seat is still very uncomfortable,too hard and difficult to zero in on adjustment that is tolerable. A couple hundrd miles at the wheel kills my back.The arm rests..what were they thinking?The power window and door lock area is a major protrusion. Auto up and down drivers window...why? not necessary.The vehicle is built well,rides and handles tight with tight turning radius..very nice.Power with 4 cyl.is good enough,my wife and i drove it from NY to Florida and it had pleanty of power to handle the interstates and got 27 mpg fully loaded with a milage robbing clam shell cargo carrier on the roof.Two years down the road,trade it in for vehicle with more comfort.

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  Would Be a Perfect Cruiser - 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser
  By Real Cruiser - October 12 - 4:46 am

  Love the retro looks. Headlights should be bigger. Rear door should be designed like the 4runners. Interior can look like a retro but please make it look luxurious like the 4runner or atleast the design is up-to-date. Cant complain about the gas consumptions. Its better than average SUV gas consumptions but more efficent engine would be better. Dont like the Diesel as it pollutes the environment. Other than those mentioned above, love everything about the FJ cruiser.

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  Oh what a bummer..... - 2004 Toyota Sienna
  By Anna - October 11 - 8:46 am

  I have had my Sienna (2004) for a little over one year. Already, I have had to replace the radiator, seatbelts, parts in the steering wheel, and have other problems the dealership just cant fix. I bought a Toyota for the reliability since I am on the road often with my kids. I am so sorry I did! I refuse to drive the car on long trips now. Ive had it to the dealer four times in the past two months for repairs. The last time in, I had two pages worth of repairs/recalls on a one year old vehicle! I also have a sluggish take off which the dealer says is normal. The A/C doesnt blow cool when idle (traffic) for more than five minutes as well. Wish I had never bought this one.

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  Great Deal - 2001 Toyota Corolla
  By iadara - October 10 - 11:18 pm

  I just recently purchased my 01 Corolla S automatic for way under blue book with 116K miles on it and couldnt be happier. The handling, turn radius and overall feel of the car is so much more luxurious than that of my 1986 Corolla that I traded in years ago with 281K miles on it. Weird thing though was as soon as I got into the vehicle, it felt like I was sitting back in my 1986 model. Toyota has pretty much kept all the dials and switches in the same place, except for the radio, so I didnt have to "learn" anything new. Love the sunroof, the engine is super quiet and even though the exterior is typical Toyota boring, the interior is very nice. Im happy with it.

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  Fun car, but flawed - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By Gerg - October 10 - 5:50 am

  This is a fun car to drive. Its amazingly peppy, rides well on highways (not on rough gravel, though). Lots of room, excellent stereo, good controls. Three problems: 1, its hard to see out the back because of the roof pillars and high headrests. 2, near 75mph, trans kicks down from 5th to 3rd on even moderate hills; should kick to 4th first. 3, TERRIBLE design on 8-way adjustable drivers seat; seat is short front to back and edge hits mid-thigh (and I have short legs), raising seat actually pushes seat forward instead of up at the end, not giving enough leg height to accelerator, only front of seat angles up and cuts off circulation at mid-thigh. Had 5 Camrys, only bad seat Ive seen.

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  4Runner - 1994 Toyota 4Runner
  By Bartlett - October 9 - 12:46 am

  Reliable and Trustworthy. Great Value.

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  GOOD MILEAGE DEAL!!! - 2003 Toyota Matrix
  By Howd - October 8 - 10:00 am

  I heard CD players scratches CDs but, My CDs are not scratched from it yet. I heard there is noise from the dash board, I have not heard it yet. I think its a good deal for a first car for young people.