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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  $64,000 Question - 2007 Toyota Land Cruiser
  By Russell - July 1 - 11:46 am

  $64,000 was the price and I question why I layed down that much money for this vehicle. It is nice, dont get me wrong, but not even close to nice enough for this price...drove well in 10 minute test drive but wearing on my sense of value now after 7 months. Many missing features previously mentioned by other reviewers. Gas mileage is well below advertised range. Toyota should be embarassed to charge this much for this vehicle.

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  Not so reliable as they say - 2008 Toyota RAV4
  By Jacko - July 1 - 6:20 am

  I dont know what the fuss is all about. Its nice for the first few months, then you start seeing all the negative aspects of the car. Yes, it looks nice, it has lots of room, but there are issues. Overall, very overrated car. In reality, as an owner - Id say its terrible.

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  Dont buy big guy - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By George Schofield - June 29 - 1:26 pm

  Having flown 26 different aircraft and driven cars for 61 years, I find the 2007 Camry to be the most uncomfortable cockpit I have every been in. Even with tilt and telescopic steering and an 8 way seat, I find my shoulder touching the side and my right knee being pinioned by the shift console. The headrest presses into my head at an uncomfortable angle and it is imposssible to tell where the front of the car is for parking. The window sill is too high and the armrest too low to be comfortable. I am 6 2" and 270#. Please do yourself a favor and test drive for a reasonable time before you are stampeded into a purchase. I traded a 2002 Prius which was a swell little car

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  Worst truck I ever owned" - 2016 Toyota Tacoma
  By Joe - June 27 - 5:58 am

  Toyota should be ashamed to even sell this piece of junk. After only 210 miles, transmission not shifting correctly, buzzing feeling from steering wheel and gas pedal and a shudder at 20-25 mph. 4wd system is hard to engage. The gas mileage is at 12 in town, 18.4 on the highway. Truck has 425 miles on it now and been to the shop twice. Dealer says they cant find anything wrong with it and the condition may be normal. Are they for real. Toyota themselves are no help at all. Beware on buying the "New Tacoma". I hate driving this Tacoma. Update. After being in the shop 4 different times for a total of 42 days and never repaired I traded this junk. Toyota and the dealer are a joke. Never again will I purchase a Toyota. Traded this in on a 150.

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  Could Be Better - 2006 Toyota RAV4
  By JRG - June 21 - 1:46 am

  Ride is too rough and bumpy/ Highway noise very loud on most pavements..have to raise volume on radio/ Paint job inadequate...peels off very easily especially around bumper and fenders/ Gas mileage: 16mpg all city driving... alot of stop and go and between 24 and 27 on highway at 65 to 70mph/ Problems with steering column (Replaced)/ Hard to handle when passing another vehicle on highway...wants to go out of control/ I am just waiting to build some equity on this vehicle to buy something else.

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  Very weak truck - 2007 Toyota Tundra
  By kboyfrommd - June 20 - 8:16 pm

  I have to say this was the worst truck I ever owned. Constant mechanical problems (broken tailgate, transmission issues, engine knock). It was also one of the most uncomfortable trucks to drive any distance. It was rough riding and hard to keep on the road (jittery). I sold it after 6 months and will never own a Toyota again. Stay away.

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  Another Lemon - 1999 Toyota 4Runner
  By Capt512 - June 20 - 2:00 am

  This is the second 4Runner I have bought in about 10 years, the first was a 96 which i bought new as a base 4x4 model, and it was a horrible lemon, clutch replaced 4 times by 30,000 miles. Smoke, all kinds of problems. I then bought a Tahoe, and loved it, but my wife couldnt drive it because of size. So i sold it and bought this 99 4Runner Limited 4x4, this one had 60,000 miles on it, and is just as big a piece of junk, the emergency brake light keeps flashing, the truck doesnt idle right in the cold, it smokes, the tranny jerks when put in gear, bad brakes, etc. Wouldnt buy another unless it was one of the new designed 4runners with the V8s.

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  not what i expected - 2003 Toyota RAV4
  By Rick - June 13 - 10:00 am

  Not at all what i expected .. car is a company car so i have no say in it but i wouldnt buy one dosent have pep not much room for people unless your 5" im 59 and i cant drive with my son sitting behind me his legs hit the seat

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  Poor design - 2006 Toyota RAV4
  By Ron - June 10 - 1:23 am

  Ive now owned three Ravs and every one has developed a creeky noise in the windshield and this one has a leak at the top of the windshield. The rear compartment has a light in the door which points away from the interior when it is opened. The compartment is dark. The rear door opens sideways which offers no cover from the elements and rear visibility is poor. The ABS works poorly on ice and snow. It pumped my foot off the brake pedal. The all wheel drive doesnt work well to get me out of my driveway. No way would I buy another. The dealer has been very helpful and pleasant to work with. But they havent been able to fix the windshield problems. Think I may switch to Subaru.

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  Rav 4 sucks - 2010 Toyota RAV4
  By rav4_sucks - June 6 - 1:27 am

  I have had this car for a year and a half. Toyota is the worst company to deal with. After 7,000 miles the brakes made a garggiling sound and would not come to a complete stop. I have my wife and kids in the car up in the mountains on a sunday afternoon. Called Toyota and they wanted to charge me $500.00 to tow the car to a dealership. Towing NOT covered under bumper to bumper. Also the tires on the car only lasted 22,000 miles. The radio will turn its self off for no reason. All the dash lites go on and off then the car dies. BIGGEST PIECE EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I would not [non-permissible content removed] with a Toyota driver manual. (it wont get the job done) MAJOR FAIL TOYOTA