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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  Engine replaced at 56K. No more Toyota for me. - 2008 Toyota RAV4
  By nomoretoyota7 - July 4 - 9:07 pm

  Sadly, though not my first Toyota, this will be my last. I had to replace my engine due to a hose failure. No recall on this part, but they changed the design in 2009.... wonder why...mmm. I take good care of my vehicles and got regular oil changes. This has become the most expensive car I have ever owned. And I bought it because of the Toyota reputation.

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  buy a ford or chevy if you want a truck - 2002 Toyota Tundra
  By Ryanz - July 4 - 10:00 am

  i have 20,000 miles on this peice. I also have a ford that outpowers it and outpulls it. toyota is very undependable and not a good vehicle. listen to me when i say buy a ford f series truck. My toyota had 2 trannys replaced, starter blew, oil leak, engine makes noise and broke down 3 times. and no it is no lemon. i have owned one before. ford is better then comes chevy.

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  quality build? - 2009 Toyota Venza
  By john - June 30 - 1:56 am

  Had car for 5 days only. Been in shop for defective steering, clunk noise in rear of car over bumps. Rattles everywhere on paved roads. Car has been in shop 3-9-09 and not back yet. High trade in on 2008 rav4 sport but paid full price for car. No deals here! My 08 Avalon is much better and so is my 07 tundra crewmax. The 08 rav4 was super too! Venza? what happened?

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  Good for summer, bad for winter - 2006 Toyota Avalon
  By BDW - June 29 - 10:13 am

  Nice when the weather is warm, but truly awful when the snow is falling. The cars computers cant seem to figure out what to do in snow. Bad traction and very inconclusive driving response. Shame on Toyota! Remote start doesnt allow me get in without turning off car, and it doesnt allow me to get out of car with the engine running and lock the doors. Duh?

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  Lousy engine/transmition - 2016 Toyota Tacoma
  By J. R. - June 28 - 3:08 pm

  Engine feels under power and the transmition is the worse I ever driven. Hard shifting from park to reverse and reverse to drive.

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  Hat!e It - 2009 Toyota Camry
  By annette1993 - June 20 - 4:05 am

  I hate it, absolutely hate it. I had a 2003 Camry SE that was a fabulous cream puff. In seven years never needed anything but brakes and tires. Comfortable, well made, good on gas, great car, loved it. Unfortunately, I totaled it and replaced it with a 2009 Toyota Camry LE. What a terrible mistake. I am really shocked, what a piece of junk. Inside cheap plastic, one vent is broken, cup holder is inconveniently placed, and seat is extremely uncomfortable. What were they thinking when they redesigned the interior? I have never been so uncomfortable in a car. The worse part is, I am very apprehensive while driving it because it has so many blind spots. The rear window has extreme poor visibility. The car also makes wide turns. I cannot judge when parking or turning onto lanes. I can’t see the curb when I am making turns. I have to lean forward out of my seat when making turns because I cannot see where I am going. I have had a Honda, Buick, Nissan, Camry (2003), Chrysler, Chevy, Toyota Supra, and never had this problem before. Also, gas mileage is not as good as the 2003. Additionally, cheap paint job. In one year paint is peeling, yet my 2003 never had that problem in seven years!! The car also has poor pick up. The 2003 Camry was a far superior car in every way. My mechanic agrees with me. Toyota is now making garbage. I am so sorry that I did not buy a used 2003 – 2005 Camry.

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  Over priced Behemoth - 2007 Toyota Land Cruiser
  By Hunter - June 13 - 7:26 pm

  Poor value. All other $60K SUV offering have left this one in thier dust. "Luxury Not" when comparing vehicles: rubber and plasic abound in this vehicle interior, missing many interior features available on other SUVs, has significant body roll and "floats" on highway. Unless you are planning an off road vacation to the Baja spend your money elsewhere. Reliabile YES and put together well, but after that do not expect a lot.

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  definitely a lemon! - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By jsusanmay - June 3 - 6:01 am

  Bought the car brand new, took good care of it, maintenance @ the delear ets.., thought I was getting the best value for my money, not so! after 5 years & 54k miles, the gages on my 2007 camry go haywire after I turn on the A/C and/or the radio , the ABS light, the hand break light comes on, also the RPM needle moves erratically, even the dealer cannot dignose the problem, never again will I buy another Toyota car.

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  Grandma Car - 2005 Toyota Corolla
  By jhy - May 31 - 7:43 pm

  Too pricy. Engine is too noisy (leak of power). Cheap Goodyear tires (cant hold). Uncomfortable seats. Build quality is very poor. Nothing special. Toyota is now too lazy to be the best.

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  Wrong choice. - 2000 Toyota Camry
  By iyt2000 - May 22 - 10:00 am

  I lease the car for 2 and a half years. Got it new and the very first day it broke down on me. They replaced back suspension unit, cutting down the wire on my speaker (putting me in we did not do it situation). Tried to declare it as a lemon, no such luck. Ever since then it is a very unpleasant experience. Customer service is good only when it comes to change the oil. Refuse any responsibility when it comes to something serious. They turn you down smiling. Very noisy, troublegiving car; does not feel safe at all. 5000 miles ago replaced both front struts. MPG is exaggeration; was never able to make as much as they promise.