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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  Disappointed - 2005 Toyota Corolla
  By wonderboy1 - July 22 - 10:00 am

  After I bought it, I already visited the dealer 4 times to repair. Interior is really a nightmare. A consol, side airbag molding, dashboard part, ceiling molding, and etc are shaky and coming out. Heat shield at bottom of a car makes noises, and tire pressure monitor warning light is not working at all. I think toyota never inspects their car before selling it. I am really disappointed.

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  My Avalon - 2006 Toyota Avalon
  By Becky Crutchfield - July 15 - 7:13 am

  This is the worst car I have ever purchased in my life. I absolutely hate this car. It is so ugly. I thought the "supposed" reliability and refinement that Toyota "supposedly" delivers would shine through, but I was sorely disappointed. The Avalon is just an unrefined automobile that has serious styling issues, and reliability issues. I have replaced the water pump already after 3 months of ownership, and the dealership was very unfriendly towards my purchase. Ive even quit going to that dealership to have my car serviced. Toyota definetly hit a mud ball when they put this one out!!! I am trading it in for a new 300C or Five Hundred. I will never buy another Toyota.

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  Excessive Oil Consumption - 2007 Toyota RAV4
  By ravnmad - July 12 - 9:05 pm

  My 2007 RAV4 ran dry on oil at 96,000 miles. Always maintained in a reasonable manner. Dealer and manufacturer refused to help offset repair cost that included replacing the 2.4 AZ-FE engine. There is a technical service bulletin addressing the design flaw of the 2AZ-FE engine, specifically related to the piston and ring assembly (TSB-0094-11). Reall list for this RAV4 includes intermediate shaft in steering column, Faulty air bag sensor, Rear lower control arm failure, unexpected acceleration and power widow switch fire hazzard to name a few. This list doesnt include the many TSBs affecting quality, namely the excesive oil consumption bulletin.

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  Worst Vehicle Ive Ever Owned - 2008 Toyota RAV4
  By wisernow1 - July 11 - 7:28 am

  Before the final stroke of the pen, I decided to buy the Toyota extended warranty - which actually seemed ridiculous that a Toyota wouldnt go 100K without a major problem. That was the only redeeming feature of my purchase: by 80K miles they replaced the alternator, air conditioning condensor, all valve stems and the COMPLETE ENGINE. When I informed Toyota of this total disaster they produced, the best response I got was that it was a good thing I bought the warranty. It is now gone and Ill never deal with a Toyota product again.

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  Disappointed - 2003 Toyota Highlander
  By herbertspoof - July 10 - 6:45 pm

  Purchased used 5 years ago with 86,000. Didnt flinch at the mileage due to Toyotas reputation for reliability; car drove well, at first. Sold at 109,000 due to expensive repair and maintainence costs including: All 4 wheel bearings, $500 a pop. Breaks completely replaced, some more than once. $2,000 spent on breaks in just 2 years. Evaporator sensor went bad; $400 just for the part. Muffler developed a small hole; $400 for a new one. Straw that broke the camels back: drive shaft developed a wobble and needed complete replacement $1,200. Cut my losses and unloaded the hunk of junk. Other car was a 20 year old Subaru Legacy that had fewer problems and was cheaper to maintain.

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  Not what it used to be - 2016 Toyota Tacoma
  By D347 - July 9 - 8:28 pm

  I have owned several Tacomas in the past and have enjoyed all of them however this 2016 is a big disappointment. I thought with the newer engine and 6 speed transmission Toyota would have a hit but this one is a flop. The truck seems smaller to me although it is probably the same but maybe the layouts are different. The biggest complaint is the transmission. It never knows what gear it wants to be in. Going up the smallest hills requires 2 downshifts and with the cruise on any time there is any grade the transmission will look for a lower gear. I had a 2015 that I traded on a the 2016 but that was a mistake. I should have kept the 2015 with the 4.0 V6, it was so much better. I am sure Toyota will fix this transmission issue down the road. Toyota hasnt really acknowledged​ the transmission issue. Traded this vehicle. Very disappointed, no longer own this vehicle, not up to Toyota standards. Big problems.

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  2016 tacoma pre runner transmission issues - 2016 Toyota Tacoma
  By brad - July 7 - 3:16 pm

  truck has 1300 miles on it going into the shop for the second time for trans issues 1st time in they did the tsb update didnt fix the problems shifts into high gear to early causes truck to lug truck idles up when about stopped causing it to lurch forward and causing a drive line clunk also clunk off and on while driving slow speed a/c is off Struggles to maintain highway speeds on moderate hills, lots of gas pedal action and reluctant down shifting during wich it will start to surge and bog down very disappointed in this truck have had several Toyotas since the early 90s and this one may go in for a trade I cant stand driving it anymore the way it shifts is horrible 1300 miles I shouldnt have to be taking it to the shop again its already been there once for 4 days and going back again not a happy customer any more

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  Highlander Bad - 2005 Toyota Highlander
  By DK - July 5 - 5:06 am

  I bought this car based on Consumer Reports ratings. So far, the temp thermostat had to be replaced, I also had a wheel bearing replaced, and now I am told that a sequential humming is probably the differential - very costly. The car is herky-jerky and the interior leather looks more like vinyl. This is my last Toyota. DK

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  Tacoma - not up to Toyota standards - 2018 Toyota Tacoma
  By KARSONKID - July 4 - 10:55 am

  Bought my first Toyota, for the most part, because evryone always told me how great they are from a quality standpoint. I was not impressed. I would say some of the things I mention were engineering and build quality issues. Got rid of it after 15 months. Issues - Engine Squeak when warm - I was told this is normal, Heater controls were very hard to turn, Noise from under dash on passenger side - fixed, Had to have transmission reprogrammed for shifting issue - better but hurt performance. My new Grand Cherokee with a HEMI gets the same mileage.

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  2015 Toyota Camry - 2015 Toyota Camry
  By Muneeb - July 1 - 5:07 pm

  Hi People, I recently bought a 2015 Toyota Camry. I am writing this review to make you people aware of few issues/problems that I experienced in this model which could help you decide whether to buy 2015 Camry or not. Firstly, this car has vibrations especially in the wheels between 44 mph through 55 mph, so when you test drive make sure you observe the vibrations at this speed on a smooth road. Secondly, if you still want to go ahead and buy this car make sure to not have Bridgestone tires on it, as these tires magnifies the vibrations. Other than these other performance parameters are good. As per the dealers whom I spoke to get these problems fixed, in the first place they denied the problem (very disappointing). However, after 6 weeks they (dealers, as they had customers with these problems before) accepted that its a camry design issue which they said could be mitigated by changing tires to Michelin brand, however this would not remove/settle vibrations completely. Wish someone had written about this earlier. Hope this would help you all.