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 - 2009 Toyota RAV4
  By Dissapointed - October 15 - 2:30 pm

  Leased this car for my kid. The transmission shifts and sounds like a cement mixer. The interior is wall-to- wall plastic with no soft areas. The push button glove box is kind of quirky and small. The center console that houses the radio looks and feels like something from a K-Mart appliance center. The fuel filler door is riveted on and has the feeling it is going to be pulled off if too much pressure is exerted. Car is relatively slow. I should have leased the Jeep Patriot or Ford Escape. RAV4 is acceptable, but certainly not anything that is above the others including the domestics. This is the last Toyota I will purchase.

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  Very Happy with Camry LE Automatic 4cyl - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By ctcamryle - October 15 - 5:03 am

  I got this car last week and have about 150 miles on it. The car had initial hesitation around 40 MPH but maybe I was getting adjusted to the new car. I have not noticed any problems that other users have mentioned. The front car windows made creaking sound when rolled down but that automatically disappeared in a day. So far, its running great. The mileage seems to be good too as the fuel indicator still shows approx. 3/4th tank full (after 150 miles). The ride is quite even at 70 MPH and the pick up is decent (not like V6). The car handles well on road even in rain and light snow. The interior is very roomy and spacious and Toyota has given some nice standard features in LE. Way to go!

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  My report on 2006 Sienna LE - 2006 Toyota Sienna
  By c. fill - October 15 - 4:56 am

  I purchased this vehicle because I had a 99 Sienna and was quite pleased with it although it had over 100,000 miles and felt like a new one. However, I have been disappointed in this purchase and wish I had my old Sienna back and repaired what was wrong. The ride on the new 06 is very rough and when I asked about it they said it was the way it is made. Also, the gas mileage is much lower than I expected. So far only getting 16 mile per gallon in city. So with the rough ride and the low gas mileage it has been a disappointing experience considering the price. I really expected a much nicer ride and nicer vehicle all around and feel like it is not.

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  Great - 2005 Toyota Sequoia
  By dave - October 14 - 9:43 pm

  Comfort, and handling are excellent. The clock and climate control instruments are hard to read as they is low and to the side. The car also vibrates at a harmonic frequency when you drive with the rear windows down.

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  Good, but could use some improvements - 2003 Toyota RAV4
  By Eric - October 14 - 3:03 pm

  This is my wifes car, and she is enjoying it very much, as its been a good car for us. Has a nice ride,very comfortable, does well in the poor weather, and handles great for an SUV. I find the power to be quite adequate(and I Trans Am fairly often!) for most conditions, the only time it is lacking is on steep inclines when the transmission hunts for gears. The negatives are that there is alot of wind, road, and driveline noise that enters the cabin at highway speeds. Also the car has already developed 2 rattles in just over 2 years of ownership - not what I expected from Toyota. Gas mileage is underwhelming for a small car with a small engine, 25mpg is par for highway drives at 65-70.

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  wish U.S. wouldve built this - 2003 Toyota Sequoia
  By scuba steve - October 14 - 10:00 am

  I hated to buy other than american but several friends have this and have had no problems towing or diving the beaches surf fishing. My other toyota truck is a 1989 with 155,000 miles and going strong with years of abuse behind her. hope I get that lucky with my new truck/SUV.

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  REPUTATION ABOVE ALL OTHERS.... - 2003 Toyota Land Cruiser
  By Caddy - October 14 - 10:00 am

  THE LANDCRUISER IS LUXURIOUS AND TOUGH. YOU WILL BE VERY VERY PROUD TO OWN ONE!!! I THOUGHT OVER AND OVER. HIGH SAFETY, HIGH RELIABLITY, TRUE DESIGN, SPACIOUS COMFORT AND UNMATCHED REPUTATION. ALL OTHERS WILL SHINE AT THE TIME BUT THE LANDCRUISER WILL STILL BE THERE. WHEN YOU SAY I HAVE A LANDCRUISER...ENOUGH SAID...OTHERS ENVY AND ONLY WISH. THE PRICE IS WORTH IT AND HOLDS ITS RESALE VALUE. ITS THE NEXT LEVEL.

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  Great Looks, Great Handling, Great Deal - 2003 Toyota Celica
  By brainoid - October 14 - 10:00 am

  Purely subjective, I believe that the celica is the best looking car for its price range...even better when you add some (I mean ANY) body kit on it.

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  problems...problems - 1997 Toyota RAV4
  By jacobmarley - October 14 - 10:00 am

  overall this has been a great little around town car, though is the past 6 months we have had to re-build the automatic transmission, (very expensive) and replace the front struts (also expensive and hard to find). we have had the car back to the shop 3 times to stop leaks or turn off engine dash light, after the re-build. would not buy another automatic, but would consider a stick shift.

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  Slap CelicaGTS - 2002 Toyota Celica
  By celicagts is lying - October 14 - 10:00 am

  I have driven my 02GTS for six months now and everything works great except for the squeaking shift from 1st to 2nd. However overall, its a great car to drive.