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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  06 Avalon - 2006 Toyota Avalon
  By ddwalkman - April 19 - 7:23 am

  One minor mechanical imperfection, so far. One flip out component of the consol controls does not function properly. Front end design is like 90% of the other new model cars. I suppose this an aerodynamic consideration. Rear end design is outstanding. Trunk space is minimal compared to other full size sedans.

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  Jack of All Trades - 2003 Toyota Matrix
  By Cramper - April 19 - 2:00 am

  Im very happy with my Matrix. I only have 900+ miles on it, but there have been no problems and its performed to my high expectations. Its solidly built and does many things well. Its a compromise vehicle, to be sure, but it does everything I need it to do, and at a great price.

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  Fun car - 2001 Toyota RAV4
  By My rav - April 18 - 12:13 pm

  Weve had our car since July 2001. Aside from the lousy gas mileage around the city 17 and 20-21 hwy, its been a really fun ride. The AWD grips really well and give the car a nice ride. The acceleration is a bit sluggish at times, but it has a really nice ride once its going. The rotors are cheap, constantly need shaving, so theyll be replaced. I had the infamous 420 & 440 (O2 codes), so Im hoping that the reprogramming doesnt kill off my O2 sensors and catalytic converter.

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  Break Failure - 2005 Toyota RAV4
  By Rear Break Money Pit - April 17 - 10:23 pm

  My wife bought the 2005 Rav4 4 years ago, and has had to replace the rear breaks 3 times, going on four now. Everything else about the car she loves, but the constant issue with the rear breaks is causing us to sell. In their infinite wisdom, Toyota cheaped out on the rear breaks making them disk breaks, not drum breaks which they should be. We live in northern Vermont, 3 mile up a gravel road and my wife has to drive over a mountain pass everyday driving to work. Needless to say, we need working breaks, and the Rav4 has not provided it. The dealership has worked with us a little bit, but we still have speny about $2000 over the past 4 years on breaks alone. Very disappointed Rav4 owners!

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  Wish I could love the Taco, just like it - 2010 Toyota Tacoma
  By TacoMan - April 16 - 12:06 am

  If it werent for the -terrible- tires and the dealers even more disappointing response to the problem (feels like out of round tires @ highway speeds), Id love this truck. I bought what I wanted and kept it simple. 2x4 Prerunner, SR5, 5-speed. Guess Im gonna have to buy new wheels/tires, cause at this point I think the actual wheels are unbalanced. Oh, well!

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  Best Looking Minivan - 2008 Toyota Sienna
  By 8driver - April 15 - 12:03 pm

  We chose the Sienna over the Honda on price. We could get most the options on the Sienna that we wanted. It seemed with the Honda that it was all or nothing and not too many options. We like the people/cargo volume you get for the price. The van has a surprisingly tight turning radius, good for parking. I wish the power tailgate was an optional item. I would rather have that powered than the 2 side doors. The interior is pretty cheap looking and basically not pretty inside. The ergonomics of the stereo stink! The engine is kind of rough sounding at times if you listen for it and the transmission can be a little jerky in certain situations. The ride could better. Overall were happy.

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  Quantum Leap - 2005 Toyota Camry
  By SoGood - April 15 - 11:36 am

  From a 1997 Ford Taurus to a 2005 Camry. Well what can I say. We are not looking back. Just a rock solid car with a well thought out design. Matches or beats all the big three and has great resale value.

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  Disgust - 2010 Toyota Camry
  By Charles - April 15 - 3:20 am

  First of all, I farm in ND and like thing simple. Recently I traded in my 2009 Camry for the 2010 model which will be my 7th Camry. Thus far I have been very happy with the Camry model, but recently I attempted to change the oil. When I crawled under the vehicle I discovered that Toyota has gone backwards in their oil filter design and type. The new "feature" is a canister filter instead of the spin on type. It requires a $50 tool just to remove the newer filter. I run 300 horsepower plus tractors and they went away from canister filters many years ago for simplicity sake, and so I see this recent filter change as a backwards step. I find this step to be both irritating and disappointing.

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  Only OK -- Wouldnt Buy it Again - 2004 Toyota Camry Solara
  By Travelpro0104 - April 14 - 4:56 pm

  After the leaky roof was fixed two times and I still have to fix the hesitation with excelleration, its an okay car. The tires for life deal is a scam since it requires oil changes every 3,500 miles or the warranty is voided. The car looks great, but I want more than "a looker" to keep me happy.

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  Slipping Transmission in My Tar - 2009 Toyota Tacoma
  By Missing Idaho - April 14 - 12:40 pm

  I have an SR5 model; wanted base model, but only exists in the brochure. Toyota was no help to locate one. I have seen this type of truck referred to as a Tar (Truck Car Mix). Gas mileage good (as good as my 93 4 cyl pick-up). Spongy brakes. Yes, freaky radio (turns on all by itself) and poor reception for some reason. The hunting transmission drives me crazy. Sensation like youre spinning your wheels on ice. Bed liner is slippery, but like tie down rails. Why cant Toyota start making what we want - manual 5 spd. Hope this is half the truck my previous 93 & 81 models were. I would have purchased American if someone made the extended bed.