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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  ABS Brake NOISE - 2011 Toyota Camry
  By Sandra Dunford - December 31 - 10:00 am

  I am very dissatisfied with my Camry. It jumps out of the garage and before it shifts the first time it makes a clinking noise underneath. Service Dept says its the ABS brakes resetting. This happens every time you start the car. Sometimes it will do it twice or more while driving down the road. Its embarrassing to have people in your car and want to know what the noise is. Sometimes it sounds like you run over a pipe. When driving slow and having to stop a lot, the gears jump and jolt around. Ive called the dealership and California, they all say this is normal. I dont appreciate paying $25,000 for a car that makes these noises. I wish I could get rid of it. Dont Recommend!

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  Disapointed - 2014 Toyota Avalon
  By Jim Bushnell - December 31 - 1:17 am

  If you want a go cart ride this is the car for you. At 15,000 miles one OEM tire required replacement. I replaced all with best Michlen tires and ride a little better. The amount of air in tire has a lot to do with it but very bad ride on rough roads. You have to stop the car to select anything on the AC control panel. No feel and you touch the wrong thing. The back up screen is barely visible in sunlight. The rs rear view mirror blocks the forward view of the rider. The rider seat does not lift to see over. The mirrors stick out so far they hit the garage door frame (lucky the left side pivots). The steering wheel blocks the messages on the dash. I did not trade my 2001 Avalon which still runs great at 160000 miles. I still have my 2001 Avalon, a much better car even with 160,000 miles. I would not buy another like 2014.

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  Wonderful car ruined by a horrid entune system - 2018 Toyota Camry
  By Matthew - December 30 - 8:09 am

  Wonderful car with a very catchy design. This car, with the exception of uncomfortable seats, would be exceptional if it wasn’t for its horrid entune system. The entune app itself isn’t doesn’t work very well and constantly crashes. Pandora is very unresponsive and doesn’t work half the time. The scout navigation system is HORRIBLE. One of the stupidest designs I have ever seen. If Toyota addresses these issues and ditches the entune system then this car would be exceptional

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  2003 LE versus 1993 LE - 2003 Toyota Corolla
  By Cape Cod Driver - December 26 - 10:00 am

  I guess I am one of the few who think the interior fake wood trim is gaudy, and the high visibility dash is annoying. I would have considered the CE, but it is not available with cruise control - in spite of the Toyota brochure. Is Toyota is playing marketing games with pricing ? The LE does not come standard with Cruise, yet every LE in my area has Cruise from the factory. Possible gimmick to make the price appear to be less than $ 16,000 ? My 1993 Corolla LE came standard with more options that the 2003 !

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  Pro and con list leans to con. - 2016 Toyota RAV4
  By Gloria Stein - December 25 - 2:15 pm

  Too bad this car is way below my expectations. Shifting is tricky. Controls on drivers side (to lock and unlock doors) not visible in the dark (black on black) and the "map lights" dont light much past center of cabin. The ride is choppy and I hoped a heavier car would ride better than the smaller one I traded in. The high sides of bucket seats make getting in a out a challenge and I opted for an SUV to make it easier. Im stuck - I own the car. Its too early to comment on reliability.

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  I think I have a lemon :( - 2014 Toyota Corolla
  By smilechick - December 23 - 4:52 am

  *Starting the car: You have to have the clutch pushed very hard, all the way to the ground and make sure to hold the button in long enough. My fiance’s car is a 6 speed with a push start and I’ve never had any trouble with his car. I have driven a stick shift for over 15 years. This clutch is very picky and after a lot of time spent stranded, sitting in my car, I have finally realized that I need to ride the clutch, unfortunately. Thats the only way I can get it to get up and go without stalling. Im always super nervous while driving it for this reason and feel unsafe. My fiancé also refuses to drive my car for this reason. *Where is the sound proofing?? When driving in the rain/snow...

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  Practical but Pedestrian - 2004 Toyota Prius
  By dblanchette - December 21 - 2:00 am

  A bit unstable, but low drag and a fairly quiet ride. Even minor acceleration elicits a strained whine from the engine. Real world driving wont get claimed mpg (I get 40-45). Fine interior overall. The seat comfort is fair, front visibility excellent, rear visibility poor with severe blind spots. The "dashboard" strip beneath the windshield is great (reflects on windshield though). The center-mounted display screen is in theory a good idea, but boring and annoying as configured. The interior room is very good, and trunk space is fair. The finish of the car isnt bad for a car in this price range. It is a practical car, but not very fun to drive.

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  Looks better than it is.. - 2004 Toyota Sienna
  By jingles - December 21 - 2:00 am

  At first glance and test drive I loved it. The back windows worked the seats folded down. No other van had this. Ride seemed fine while test driving. Since receiving my van in Nov Ive had a defective seat belt, adjustment on back passengers side seat belt due to rattling against plastic part of arm rest. Had blown front struts, The center console rattles, it rides like Im in a roller coaster, and now am fighting w/Toyota over warranty on my arm rests due to major material defect showing wear at only 2K miles. Also had to have engine adjusted due to acceleration jumps. I wish I kept my Windstar.

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  Just not enough.... - 2006 Toyota Camry Solara
  By Deborah - December 20 - 5:00 am

  Its a pretty car, Ill give it that. But thats not enough to make this a car to love. The 4-cyl engine doesnt have enough power, I worry about getting enough acceleration to merge on to the highways. The car just feels a bit "clunky" to me. Oh, and dont crack the windows if its just stopped raining, youll get drenched; the water pours in....

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  Not For Me - 2006 Toyota Tacoma
  By garymike - December 18 - 3:33 pm

  I made a mistake purchasing this vehicle. Its ride is way too harsh, and the fuel economy is disappointing. I got the 4-cyl automatic, and consistently get 22 mpg. While that is not abysmal, I expected so much more. The truck has no personality, and is not fun to drive. The build quality is quite good and very solid, but sound suppression in the cab seems non-existent. For all the high praise this truck gets, I find that this truck is definitely not for me.