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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  Not a Lexus - 2003 Toyota Avalon
  By robert Sobieski - October 21 - 2:00 am

  This is not the Luxury car I had hoped to get, dash is not driver friendly, should have radio/heater control on steering wheel, seats not comfortable, 4 way power seats does not give enough adjustment for comfort, computer on dash is big and ugly,lighting doesnt even match rest of controls ,needs a clock so you can leave computer off, wouldnt buy again,will trade for Lexus VERY SOON

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  Transmission Shudder from 1st to 2nd upshift - 2011 Toyota 4Runner
  By giuseppeg - October 20 - 1:08 pm

  June 15th, 2012 Toyota released TSB-0089-12 that affects 2010-2012 4Runners and calls for replacement of full transmission. www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/89301-has-anyone-noticed-10.html I know Im covered for 5yr/60k miles power train but I traded it in for $28k (Paid $34k new) after 3 years of ownership for a 2014 Subaru Forester 2.0XT Touring.

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  07 Camry a let-down - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By badmph - October 18 - 8:40 am

  We purchased our first Toyota product, an 07 Camry LE AT in October 2006, after months of consideration and test driving them as rental cars (averaging 30 mpg all around and 34 highway); it replaced a 1989 2WD V6 Nissan Pathfinder that averaged 21.5 mpg. What happened?! With 4000 miles, its been a disappointment, 24 mpg (mostly hi-way) and only 400 miles/tank! Each tank gets progressively fewer mpg. It seems to be a non-issue for Toyota who dismisses the complaint and makes excuses for winter driving, gas additives, etc. We expected much more from this car and are somewhat soured on Toyota already.

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  Disappointed - 2009 Toyota Camry
  By Josie - October 12 - 4:33 am

  I traded in a 2004 Camry LE when the extended warranty ran out at 100K miles; The 2009 feels smaller inside and out. I feel cramped and like Im in a fishbowl - and I am a small lady. With the seat arranged for short person comfort, I have no visibility to check for traffic in my blind spot on either side. Maybe it doesnt have a blind spot? Ha! Im looking at the post when I look over my shoulder. I cant see over the hood to park it and keep missing the lines - yes, I know how to park a car and Ill adjust til I figure it out. Ive only had the car for 3 days and now Im not sure what to do - and Im really concerned that Ill miss another car sitting in a blind spot.

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  Hosed . . . - 2007 Toyota Tundra
  By travisthompson - October 4 - 6:03 pm

  Love the style, look and (when its right) performance of this truck. I work out of state and put tons of miles on my vehicle, as well as drive it off road quite a bit, making 4wd drive a necessity. After returning from a trip, my 4wd locked up in 4 low - I took it to my local Toyota Dealer who informed me that this is a known problem if you drive your 4wd Tundra anywhere it is wet or cold - this was corroborated by several of the other techs at the Toyota dealership. I contacted Toyota and they said that although there is a known problem, its not covered under the warranty. $2400 later, my 4wd works, but weve learned our lesson. This model just isnt right.

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  OIL SLUDGE COVER UP - 2001 Toyota 4Runner
  By pschumacher - October 4 - 3:05 pm

  Before you purchase any used Toyota with the 3.4 V6, research: "Toyota Oil Sludge" problems. Also read up on the massive recall Toyota launched to replace thousands of engines. Unfortunately, this recall did not show up in the reliability section of my trusted vehicle review sites. I bought an amazingly attractive clunker I am not alone BEWARE I loved my 4Runner, but it will be the last Toyota I own. At 110,000 careful and certified serviced miles I need an new $6000 engine. The Toyota Service Advisor admitted there is a design issue. But nothing they can do at this time.

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  Last Toyota - 2011 Toyota RAV4
  By s_evans - October 3 - 1:28 pm

  Have a 2011 Rav 4 Limited, owned for close to 2 years now. Have had in shop 3 times for rough start and idle. First time they reprogrammed ECM. Last two times no error code registered and dealer cant replicate; so nothing they can do. Rear View camera only works intermittently. Dealer cant fix unless malfunctioning when car is in shop. Paint is poor quality too many chips to touchup. Engine on occasion has raced out of control, not a floor mat issue, but Toyota doesnt know what is wrong. Front cup holders are awful. Traded from a 2006 Hyundai Sonota and wish I had it back.

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  Believe what your hearing about Toyota - 2010 Toyota Venza
  By Robert Kellington - September 28 - 5:46 pm

  I have 1,500 miles on my brand new Venza 4cyl AWD, and I have knocking in the engine. This happens every day when I put it in drive and go. This vehicle is very deceiving when you initially buy it. Once you have been in it awhile, you realize all the fancy stuff surrounding you masks the quality problems. The noise level as other blogs are saying is true, loud. Im concerned with other problems too, the driver window when half way down makes a rattle noise and the steering wheel when turning makes a ticking noise. I have owned a 89 Camry and 2000 4Runner and always sworn by Toyota, so I ignored all the bad PR and went out and bought this Venza. I should have listened to the news!

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  not good - 2004 Toyota Camry
  By ed 270 - September 27 - 2:00 am

  very noisey, steering wheel not enough adjustment,slow to excelerate,2000 model much better

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  not so hot - 2002 Toyota Tundra
  By dw - September 26 - 1:56 pm

  I bought this used 6mo ago with ~65k mi on it and in apparently excellent shape. So far Ive had to deal with grease spitting cv boots, worn out tie rod ends, recalled lower steering ball joints, and I just found out my steering rack is shot and requires replacement! Ive owned several other trucks and never had this much trouble in this short a period. Lemon? Abused by the previous owner? Maybe both, but I expected more from a Toyota. Oh, the mileage is terrible, almost never get above 14mpg for mixed driving. Otherwise its a great truck... I guess.