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:

• 

  Truck lover - 2003 Toyota Tacoma
  By toyotafan11 - August 8 - 2:00 am

  I owned a 1986 standard bed Toyota 4x4 4cyl. 5sp for 9 years and had 125,000 miles on it before it was totaled. After that I purchased a 1995 Corrola which had 330,000 miles before tading it in on this 2003 Toyota Tacoma xtra cab, V6, 5 sp. I hope to enjoy this Toyata as much as the other 2. I loved the 86 truck and wanted to own another truck. I would only purchase Toyota because of its dependability. I purchased the truck Nov. 2003 and enjoy it except for the gas mileage.

• 

  Oh Google Maps where art thou - 2017 Toyota Highlander
  By Miss My 4Runner - August 7 - 9:52 pm

  Love the Toyota brand except for one major sore spot. The entertainment system reminds me of how the phone carriers destroyed the handsets until Apple came along and broke their hold on the software aspect of purchasing phones. It was the carriers attempt at controlling the branding and access users had with their phones. The same thing happens with the navigation and entertainment systems in Toyota. While other companies have moved on to android and apple play, were still stuck in 1980 with Entune "entertainment system". Excluding that that, however, I do really like the Highlander. If I didnt have children, however, this truck would not be in my garage. Cons: Entune is horrible. Mapping stinks. Voice recognition is in name only. Its not like I have an accent or dont enunciate correctly. One last pet peeve: the gas milage is below the advertised amount. For the last 1000 miles, Ive been getting only 19.1 mpg. 21-22 if Im on the interstate. Pathetic but not unexpected.

• 

  Utterly disappointed! - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By Denis - August 7 - 7:03 pm

  This will be the second 2007 SE Camry that I’ve had since buying the vehicle in early July 2006. The first one was returned to the dealer, on the day of delivery, because of excessive rattling noises coming from the interior, especially the back right side of the car. After an additional two week wait for a replacement, our second Camry is no better. We’re still dealing with unwanted creaks and rattles. My wife and I are utterly disappointed in this vehicle. The only positive to come from this ugly process is the pleasure that I derive from knowing that I will never be foolish enough to buy another Toyota. Seriously, re-consider your purchase.

• 

  Fun Way to be Eco-Friendly - 2002 Toyota Prius
  By Whirling - August 7 - 10:00 am

  I recently bought my Prius, after test driving both it and the new Honda Civic Hybrid. I opted for the Prius because it seemed to have a little more "spunk," it has the reliability of a not-first-model-year Toyota, , the toyota is a SULEV, while the Civic is only a ULEV, and the turning circle is incredible. So far, the gas mileage has been between 45 and 48 mpg. The mileage varies a lot based on how fast one drives. Toyota charges a huge amount for either the CD player option. If possible, get these when you buy the car, because they are more expensive later.

• 

  2001 TOYOTA TUNDRA SR5 ACCESS CAB 4X2 V8 - 2001 Toyota Tundra
  By FL_BODACIOUS - August 7 - 10:00 am

  PERSONALLY, MY TRUCK GETS LESS THAN 14 MILES PER GALLON AROUND TOWN WITH THE A/C ON OR OFF. WITH A 5 YEAR LEASE AT $489.19 PER MONTH, $70.24 PER MONTH FOR "NATIONWIDE INSURANCE" (WITHOUT POINTS ON LICENSE) AND $111.36 FOR 4 TANKS OF GAS TO DRIVE 750 MILES(APRIL 2002, GAS PRICES EAST CENTRAL COAST OF FL) THIS TOYOTA TUNDRA SR5 ACCESS CAB 4X2 V8 IS A VERY EXPENSIVE RIDE AT $8,049.48 PER YEAR TO LEASE, INSURE AND FUEL!!! NEXT TIME ILL BUY A USED VEHICLE, NOT BE STUCK IN A LEASE AND INVEST IN FLORIDA REAL ESTATE!!! LOL WHICH IN SAINT LUCIE COUNTY, FLORIDA, WHERE I, LIVE, HAS APPRECIATED AT 8 PERCENT IN THE PAST YEAR I, READ!

• 

  A Fun Ride - 2003 Toyota Matrix
  By Mr. Man - August 7 - 10:00 am

  I bought it because I loved the exterior and the amount of room inside. Performance is about par for this class. No slouch but no burner either. The interior is more hit or miss. The instrumentation can be hard to see in bright sunlight or if the lights are turned on during the day. Fabrics and plastics are pretty good and the seats are comfortable. At the end of the day, I still find myself admiring its looks.

• 

  After 4 Days - 2002 Toyota Sequoia
  By BigBeav - August 7 - 10:00 am

  Disapointed on some simple features missing I expected to be in this price range of a vehicle. Being my first Toyota I expected some features found in lower costing vehicles. My bigest dissapoinments were the inside lights having no switch on the dashboard to turn them on to look back at night to see if the kids are okay. My wife is upset no vanity lights were on the visors Will post again in 6 months once I am more familure of the vehicle.

• 

  Great hauler/commuter - 2004 Toyota Matrix
  By joybulb - August 6 - 9:52 pm

  I got the matrix certified used in 2008, and never had any problems with it. Im at 90,300 miles and it still runs great. It has great cargo capacity for home improvement projects. Ive hauled anything from a 55" led TV in the box, to 600 lbs of ceramic tile, and it works like a champ. Good acceleration, good gas mileage. Like others, I have a tiny complaint about the small compartment under the shifter not staying shut, but other than that and some random rattling at times, it has been wonderful. We also have a 2004 corolla, and have experienced nothing but the best quality from Toyota. Were happy Toyota customers, who will be grabbing the 2014 Highlander as soon as it shows up.

• 

  A "haywagon" ride - 2003 Toyota Corolla
  By Albert Bacter - August 6 - 6:53 am

  Exceptional reliability. A joy to drive, with distance gas milage in the low 30s m/g. This model gives a very bumpy ride, as if the tires were grossly over- inflated. With 15" wheels, it is a ppor ride. The tires (Firestone) this model came with were "ride-ranked" the lowest of 32 others that would fit the wheel (by tirerack)

• 

  Good overall SUV, some flaws - 2006 Toyota Sequoia
  By b42346 - August 3 - 11:32 pm

  Overall good SUV. We bought it brand new in fall of 2005. But, we actually liked our 2 previous Chevy Suburbans WAY more. We got the Limited Sequoia with DVD. The 3rd row seat is actually comfortable for adults. In just 6 years, we have put approx. 130,000 miles. The gas mileage is horrible. I get 15 combined. Next cars will be a Suburban or Audi Q7 diesel for the fuel economy. Also, acceleration left something to be desired.