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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  Overrated car - 2000 Toyota Camry
  By JJooee - December 17 - 10:00 am

  My Camry was a 5-speed, which was the only plus. This car was fairly reliable, never had any probs with it. Of course that is the camrys selling point: reliability. Reliability aside, this car was a piece of crap. It had horrible accelleration (sp?), poor handling, and was a boring ride overall. No power to the engine at all. What a supreme disappointment! The Accord is a much better car-- go with the Accord. I wish i had :(

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  2005 Corolla - 2005 Toyota Corolla
  By berry mathews - December 14 - 6:13 pm

  This car needs to have a smoother ride and the doors need to be easier to maneuver. Too much wind whistle and too much rattle.

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  I regret buying this van - 2008 Toyota Sienna
  By Farmallfixer - December 13 - 11:33 am

  The fit and finish of this van are pitiful. 40,000+ for rattles, squeaks and an engine that sounds like its gonna blow every time after a cold start. The tires are absolute junk and only made it 22,000 miles. The navigation system only lets you look up addresses and adjust the DVD when stopped. My dealer support is very poor and Toyotas help help has been even worse, every time I call with a common problem that you can find all over the internet "they have never had complaints about this problem before". I have owned 9 Toyota cars and trucks over the years and the quality of my Sienna and the dealer support I have received might keep me from buying another Toyota

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  Glad it was a rental - 2011 Toyota Camry
  By concordenerd - December 13 - 1:42 am

  I rented this vehicle as I was interested in buying one someday. I must say this car was new with only 3,000 miles on it and it was a let down. The carpet next to the driver seat was not even put under the molding near the door. You could see underneath the car. The window switch panel was peeling/flaking off. The transmission was a bit harsh as when you braked it jerked down in gears. Not good. So I am glad that I did not buy this car with these kinds of problems. I guess youll have to look over the camrys with a good eye before you buy now.

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  I have mixed feelings - 2004 Toyota Corolla
  By 707Rob - December 12 - 11:30 pm

  At 65,000 miles a rear wheel bearing went bad. I thought "great $100 bucks max at the dealer and Ill press in a new one." WRONG. $300+ later I had to buy the WHOLE hub assembly. This is a bad design issue that makes people fork out the dough for parts. 85,000 miles, Engine serpentine belt Tensioner = same design issue....it isnt serviceable $245 later, I now have a quiet belt and tensioner assembly. Fog light relay went bad, $65.00 later the lights work again. Parts are expensive for these cars! Should this stuff be wearing out so soon? Why not design serviceability into the parts?! Or is Toyota trying to sell you pricey parts? Sorry Toyota, that Fusion is looking good.

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  Unpredictable Handling - 2010 Toyota Corolla
  By benine - December 12 - 10:23 pm

  The handling of this thing is worst of the 6 FWD vehicles Ive owned--makes driving work instead of pleasure. Like riding a half-broke horse, you dont know which way its going and when! I doubt its due to weight--other small cars dont have the problem. Otherwise, price, pep, gas mileage, visibility, noise levels are good for this level of vehicle. Poor center armrest for driver. After I bought it, dealership informed me it needs undercoating from them or Ziebart because its not done at factory! The vehicle would be a keeper if the steering mechanism was reliable and it tracked well. Best thing about car is its a Toyota and I should be able to unload it easily for a decent price.

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  Poor Quality/Workmanship - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By Silas DuBard - December 11 - 4:46 am

  After purchase and arriving home, some- one noticed a body brace hanging down. Then I began to notice how flimsy the doors, bumpers,etc. are. Then I began to compare how well doors, trunks, etc fit compared to other makes of autos. About 2 years ago I noticed how paint chips off without noticeable reason. In fact, immediately after purchase and close examination, I noticed chips on the hood and front. Ordered some touch up paint from dealer which didnt work and you would have thought I was buying caviar. Taking your car back to the dealer is too costly, unreal. I recently went in because car would vibrate when braking. Well, this cost over 550 dollars. And I doubt it.

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  Prius Safety concerns - 2005 Toyota Prius
  By Rog LaShomb - December 9 - 2:53 pm

  Mileage projections are to high. About 44 is accurate. Storage in back is poor Nice little bins under carpet but they are of no value. Very hard to see out of when changing lanes. Can you this vehicle being accident prone. Hard to see out from sides also. Very poor design for safety factors. Bad seat roomy comfortable. Smart key system makes it very easy to leave keys in car.

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  Lemon. Well almost. - 2003 Toyota Highlander
  By javax - December 8 - 2:00 am

  At 13000 miles, cheap interior started making noise. Globe compartment rattles, the clicking noise from passenger door, anoying rattle from the drivers side rear door, and ticking noise from under the hood (plastic trims that holds the windshield). They are all snap-on plastic pieces. Futhermore, the engine light and VSC light come on and stay on. Also, a few times, as I start the vehicle, the engine stalled. We I had a Ford Explore before this vehicle and I regret that I traded it in with this one at 70000 mi. What an expensive mistake I made... Sorry Ford, I will buy yours next again.

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  Not that Great - 2003 Toyota Camry
  By curt123 - December 2 - 2:00 am

  Driven many Camrys and this one is no different. Terrible exterior styling. Mushy Brakes and Steering. Great Headroom, strange dash. Poor choice of materials on the doors(felt?) This is a Toyota Buick. This one stalled many times. ONe word SOUL, this car has none. After getting back from our trip driving this car. My 1995 Buick Riv was so nice, better power, ride, style, brakes, handling, everything.