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:

• 

  Toyota Tacoma Not needs work - 2010 Toyota Tacoma
  By lawje - January 28 - 3:50 am

  Purchased my 2010 Tacoma in CNY and was disappointed from day one. 179 miles on with large scratch. Dealer fixed but not a good sign. Major complaints: Radio seemed to be very low. Volume was on 50 to hear radio with windo down. Handling, not great. Constant noise when van or heat turned on. Later found out it was a recall and Toyota did not let me know after I complained. Gas mileage...maybe 16 mpg average driving. Not very comfortable for someone 600 tall. Sold after 2 years and 25,000 mile. Also have a 2005 Toyota 4runner which is the best vehicle I have ever owned.

• 

  I was loyal - 2007 Toyota Corolla
  By yellowsun_5t5 - January 25 - 11:26 am

  I remember going with my mom when she purchased her Corolla new in 96 - and her going with me when I bought mine new 10 years later. I am a full time student and work full time, and thought having a new car meant no mechanical problems. The car worked well for the first two years, but has been falling apart since. The ECU has had to be replaced, but the engine problems persist. Toyota apparently has a "no code, no problem" policy. They apologize a lot that you are having problems, but thats the extent of their customer service. My engine feels like its about to fall out, and they refuse to acknowledge that their solution to the recall on my car has not solved the problems.

• 

  Too much money, too many problems - 2001 Toyota Tundra
  By Carl Hazleton - January 19 - 2:00 am

  My Tundra is BAD,BAD,BAD on gas! About 10 miles to the gallon! Shifts like crap! 2 sets of brakes in 25000 miles! The brakes have no feel to them. THe truck has NO torqe under 3000 rpm. Not good at all for pulling even with only 500 lbs in the bed! The truck has used 4 rear Tires due to wheel spin under load. 30300 dollars spent on truck"not worth it!".Motor World is a very unfriendly dealership to add to my pain. I should have bought a Ford. Toyta should not build full size trucks and Motor World should not sell them! My Pontiac Trans AM got better mileage with a 400hp 455ci motor and would out tow this truck any day! I DO NOT RECOMEND THIS TRUCK TO REAL TRUCK GUYS!

• 

  Never again - 2000 Toyota Camry
  By enrun - January 19 - 2:00 am

  Most uncomfortable car I have ever owned. Power seat adjusts only 4 ways. When seat is back to where it needs to be I have to extend arms to reach steering wheel. If I adjust wheel down it rubs legs even with seat completely down. Power is barely adequate and fuel economy is only so-so for a 4 cyl car. I expected more. Road noise is so bad that radio has to be turned up substantially at highway speed. American cars had better radios 25 years ago.

• 

  Camry Woes - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By Taffy - January 17 - 6:10 am

  1) Idles too fast - will move down road at 5-6 miles per hour w/o touching gas - very dangerous at stop signs as it will surge forward. 2) Cruise will not hold on hill - set at 65, up to 75 at bottom of hill. 3) Brakes - when brake applied, car surges/jogs forward before taking hold. 4)Poor gas milage 14 to 19 in town; 29 on highway. 5) Poor craftsmanship on interior. Carpets not down right, cap cover for seat track comes off. 6) Shifts hard/jerky 7) Drivers side auto up/down window- cannot put down several inches - goes all the way down or all the way up 8) Upon resuming cruise, it will accelerate so fast you are thrown back in your seat-like being shot out of a gun.

• 

  most displeased - 2007 Toyota Prius
  By dlo - January 16 - 8:00 am

  Highly dangerous car in snow and ice and rain. If there is the slightest skid the car brakes lock and you cant steer it so you just hope there is no oncoming traffic till it comes to a stop. CAr has done 360 and gone into soft shoulders in minimal snow conditions. Now it accelerates whenever i go over the smallest hole or skid. I believe it should be incl in recall as sudden acceleration is more frequent. I am most displeased with the vehicle. At dealership was told if is excellent car for good weather conditions and that I should have a backup vehicle for NY winters. It never got the sticker mileage and only gets 42mpg. It takes inordinate time for the heater to turn on.

• 

  Eats 2 qts oil every 1000 mi. - 2001 Toyota MR2 Spyder
  By David - January 12 - 4:50 am

  Driving has been just fine, nice handling, somewhat anemic power, but adequate. Engine eats 2 qts of oil every 1000 miles, and oil has been changed at a dealership every 3000 miles, but Toyota Extra Care is trying to deny warranty. Car is bone stock, always maintained, and because I didnt just run it out of oil like everyone else does, Im getting penalized. I should mention, Ive worked for Toyota for 13 years. Way to take care of your people, guys.

• 

  Quite Possibly The Worst Engine Transmission Combo - 2016 Toyota Tacoma
  By andrew R - January 11 - 12:44 am

  Ive owned this car for 6 months now and can honestly say I despise it. I live in the SF Bay Area and this truck is awful on hills and the freeway. The engine feels very sluggish and when you slowly put your foot down for more power the engine agressively shifts up and makes a dramatic howling noise. The engine downshifts like crazy even when youre just coasting along. Which in turn means you have to constantly give the truck more gas. The brakes are grabby and unresponsive. Sure these trucks might have a great resale value but for 40K I expect something a lot better. Getting in and out is a task as well. At 58 I have difficulty getting in and out. Im constantly banging my knee on the steering wheel. The front molding has already come loose and is rattling very badly. Cheap plastic interior. Very disappointed Toyota. This is a swing and a miss.

• 

  Not Toyotas Finest Effort - 2008 Toyota Camry
  By Detectivejojima - January 8 - 7:51 pm

  The car overall is a good car for everyday transportation. Quiet, comfortable and reliable. Not exciting, nor fun to drive, but it does the job. Weak points are struts, which had to be replaced around 40k. Small leaks and very soft, just too soft, and not under warranty. Needed to replace power booster on brakes around 150k. First time on any car Ive owned. Those are expensive fixes. Also, now at 175k mileage, smoke comes out of exhaust when 1st starting in morning, regardless of weather. My mechanic says oil burn, but oil does not drop between oil changes, so not much oil burn, if that is what is causing smoke. But still runs great, no other major problems and I guess its been overall a reliable Toyota, but below my other experiences with my 5 other Toyotas over the years.

• 

  Poor engine/transmission performance - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By digitdr1 - January 1 - 9:40 pm

  This car is fine in many respects, but suffers from 1-2 sec. hesitation when applying power while the car is already in motion (from very low speeds to moderate speeds of about 35 mph). Also does not downshift (to allow more engine RPMs and therefore more power) on moderate hills when the gas pedal is pressed. The combination of the weak engine (low torque) at low engine speeds and the transmission hesitation is so bad that the car is, in my opinion, a safety hazard.