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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  An almost perfect sedan - 2002 Toyota Camry
  By John-Atlanta - July 3 - 10:00 am

  This is a great car with only a couple of minor flaws, most notably the unimpressive front seats. Definitly not as good as a Passat or Accord. The interior style is rather pedestrian especially when compared with the Passat. Having said that, I much prefer driving this car vs my Passat. It has a superbly refined transmission and engine, is very quiet and has a ride that makes you think you are in a luxury sedan. Much quieter than the Passat. Compared with my moms BMW 528 the ride is as good on the highway but not as thrilling on two lane highways. But at less than half the price it is a much better value!!

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  Hesitation problem - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By friscosteve - July 2 - 1:46 pm

  I like the looks and interior but as described in some of the other reviews it has a hesitation problem when you slow down or brake, and then get back on the throttle. It takes about 3 seconds for anything to happen. It is fine from a standstill through all the gears. The car rides and handles well and is one of the safest cars on the road according to ntsa ratings.

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  Could be a lot better - 2009 Toyota Tacoma
  By tacova - July 1 - 11:56 pm

  This couldve been a great vehicle but the transmission ECM had to be reset and there is a torque rumble at 25mph. Made in Mexico. This issue has been occurring on many toyotas for a while.

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  Whats wrong with my brakes? - 2007 Toyota Prius
  By Jayr - July 1 - 10:00 am

  I purchased my car in May of this year as a used vehicle. I loved it until last week. I was sitting in my car, which was off, when i turned the car on it asked me to get to a level ground and take the e-brake off. I would have except I was on level ground, the e-brake was off and my car wouldnt start. My dashboard had all my brake lights on. 4 hours of assistance and towing and they told me it was my battery. Exactly one week later, I was driving down the highway, less than a mile from my exit when my car started making a beep noise, and again ALL my brake lights came on. This time my car was in motion and the brake pedal would not work, it was rock stiff as I went 60 mph on an exit ramp.

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  Corrola Review - 2009 Toyota Corolla
  By Dave - July 1 - 6:40 am

  Good gas mileage, but limited leg room for a 6 ft 1" person. I travel 120 miles round trip daily. I would have liked to have a height adjustable passenger seat option. Trip computer access is difficult. Moderate road noise. Overall good commuter car for the money. So far, mechanics good with 20,000 miles.

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  Great car - 1999 Toyota Camry Solara
  By matt - June 29 - 1:36 am

  I bought the car used from relatives in 05, with 203,000 miles on it, and its now running 260,000 with no problems. I had to replace brakes, rotors, and struts when I bought it (blame it on a bad mechanic that my uncle used to use) and only have replaced spark plugs ($30 from Toyota) and spark plug tube seals ($12 from Toyota). Its a great car, great ride, performance is lower because its a 4-cyl. Great first car.

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  Great Commuter Car - 2008 Toyota Yaris
  By Wes - June 27 - 5:06 pm

  I moved to San Diego in April from Connecticut. Left my 2000 V6 F150 pickup to my son and picked up my Yaris the day I arrived in California. Ever since then I enjoy driving it. I am 62" and about 250# but fit in this vehicle just fine with plenty of head and legroom. Ive tested the gas millage and on average city/hwy combined with some AC use it does between 35 and 37 mpg. It provides a comfortable ride, relatively quite interior and smooth going over bumps. 1,500 cc motor is just perfect size for this vehicle. European version is 1,300. The weak spots is lack of power to accelerate on the spot (AT, manual must be better), weak AC, and small trunk area. Amazingly roomy for a small car.

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  Youll just have to wait :) - 2004 Toyota Prius
  By Chris T (20-17) - June 27 - 2:00 am

  Its roomy. It turns heads. Its super cheap to run. Theres a waitlist as long as your arm. Ive got one of the few, and Im very happy with it. Fuel economy is great. It corners well, and is sufficiently quick off the mark to keep pace with aggressive SUV drivers. But you may not want to. This is a very relaxing car. I just have no desire to drive it hard (although it responds well enough.) And that for me is the major benefit. Commuting is no longer the misery it was

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  o.k. but??? - 2001 Toyota Tacoma
  By rob368 - June 27 - 2:00 am

  I bought the truck for reliability and better mileage, hopefully for a truck. So far the best I can get is 18 mpg aver. I have done all maintenance including a tune-up and the six still does not idle smooth. power steering pump is noisy, and there is a delay in trans shifting in overdrive. seems to slip a bit when off and on gas when at freeway speed. positive is no leaks, very tight. Overall an ok. truck, but not the quality I expected it to be especially after my friend now has 180k on his 86 with no problems. I feel toyotas quality has gone down hill, cutting corners to save money. Give me old quality with modern looks and I would give nothing but 10s.

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  Magnificent, but Dreadfully Boring - 2009 Toyota Prius
  By Bob Sandon - June 25 - 5:40 pm

  I have put approximately 143,000 miles on this car. I bought it new. Oil changes with premium synthetic every 25,000 miles; otherwise, no service (except changing out tires). Ive only had to replace the electric-system battery (pay someone to do this; its a nightmare on your own). Pros: Reliability, obviously. There is also more storage space than many people realize, especially with the seats down. Two shepherds fit comfortably in the trunk; Ive made several moves with this car. The mileage has been good, especially with Ecotopia tires. I live in Minnesota; I averaged around ~53 mpg during the summer with them. I have Toyos right now; year round mileage with them has been ~43 mpg, mostly highway driving. The car is comfortable and quiet at lower speeds. I like the sound system and have found the GPS adequate. The keyless entry is surprisingly nice; I wish it had remote start. Cons: While the car while tolerate higher speeds (65 mph +), its obviously unenthusiastic. The mileage dips fairly dramatically in the winter, or with inefficient tires. For that matter, snow tires are well-nigh essential in Minnesota with this car. All-season will not hack it, especially in rural areas. Mostly, though, this car is boring. Really boring. Eye-wateringly so. A fantastic daily commuter, but - if you can only have one car in your stable - Id have to recommend something else.