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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  2017 SE - 2016 Toyota Camry
  By glideslope - February 13 - 5:03 pm

  This is my first Toyota since my first Accord in 2000. I sold my 2012 Accord. My wife has had RAV4s in the 4.2, 4.3, and 4.4 generations. She loves them. I really wanted a new Accord. I was looking at the 2017 Sport. Not the Sport SE. No matter how many times I drove a 2016 I simply could not deal with the CVT. Now to be honest, there were traits the Accord had that I really preferred. Specifically handling and front seat comfort. However, my SE while no sport oriented midsize sedan is very satisfying. I only have 1,200 miles on it but as my wifes RAVs have been, I have not noticed a single manufacturing issue. The interior IMO is no louder than an Accord. My SE has the lousy Bridgestone Turanza 400s and they account for 75% of any road noise. So, Im really liking this purchase. Its plenty quick enough for me. Has very strong brakes IMO, and can easily maneuver in any situation I might find myself in. I expect it to be bulletproof as 98% of Camrys are, and It was $2,800 less that the Base Accord Sport CVT would have cost me. Highly recommended.

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  Shell be missed - 2006 Toyota Tacoma
  By Lisurfer523 - February 13 - 10:00 am

  Unfortunatly I was in a very bad accident with my 2006 Toyota Tacoma TRD Offroad. It was the best car I have ever purchased. I have to say it was my Tacoma that saved my life in the head on collision. I was hit head on by someone who jumped the double yellow and I managed to escape with a broken leg and a messed up knee. No head, back or neck injuries. I used my truck everyday to and from work, on and off the beach towing my pop up camper trailer and boat trailer, snow, rain with no problem ever. I never had as much as a flat tire in my truck. I would recommend this truck to anyone that ever goes off road or just likes having a small truck that drives like a big one with out the gas.

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  2010 Tundra Crewmax 2wd 5.7ltr TRD SR5 - 2010 Toyota Tundra
  By wes - February 13 - 10:00 am

  So far (1000 miles) this truck has not disappointed. My first tank of gas I averaged 16.5 mpg with mostly highway driving, the second tank the truck got 15.4 mpg with mostly city driving. It is a big truck with a big v8 so one shouldnt expect 25 mpg and be upset when they do not get that. I love the rear doors opening at nearly 90* to the truck as it makes it easy to get in and out putting my daughter in her car seat. The tailgate assist shocks are a nice touch. The truck is a nice tame vehicle when driving normal but has plenty of power on tap when you mash the go pedal. Trans shifts really smooth. I am 6,4 and with the front seat set for my driving I have plenty of room in the rear seat.

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  A Sports Sedan in Sheeps Clothing - 2011 Toyota Camry
  By Bob - February 13 - 10:00 am

  We just handed down our much loved 2000 Camry V6 to our daughter. After driving the LE I4 and the LE V6, we tried the SE V6 and immediately loved it. The SE has front and rear strut tower braces, 15% firmer springs and shocks, firmer bushings and anti-sway bars and lower profile tires vs the LE and XLE. The result is a stiffer chassis, a firmer ride, flat cornering and better steering . There is some tire thump on cracks in the road because of the low profile tires. Overall, the car has a sporty feel compared with the other models. Most salesmen said they didnt notice any difference, but if you like the LE ride, you may not like this model. It tracks straight even in cross winds.

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  My 2011 Yaris - 2011 Toyota Yaris
  By mark_s3 - February 13 - 9:01 am

  I just purchased this car a few weeks ago (53 miles) and I have to say this is a cool little car! I got 40 MPG on the highway (top speed 60MPH non interstate roadways) and 36MPG on the Interstate (Top speed 70MPH). Comfort? Not sure why Edmunds said what they said about the car, but I find it quite comfortable to operate. The car seems higher off the road, more visibility out the front. I have not yet ran into any of the issues the other reviewer has, but its good to kmow about the air filter. Am now using it in consert with my ZX2 (using it every other week).

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  Love my Prius - 2012 Toyota Prius
  By jimjkc - February 13 - 8:38 am

  I was impressed from the moment I sat in the 2012 Prius, it has so many features and I have found it fun to drive on short and long trips. I owned a RAV 4 before trading it in for the Prius and found the Prius to be quieter than the RAV so I was happy about that. The milage is great and I am happy with the cost so far. I believe this will last me for a very long time. A couple of negative things, the USB port is in an awkward place and the date is very hard to change on the computer and the seats could be more comfortable.

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  All I Asked For - 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By jmlambion - February 13 - 5:46 am

  Bought this car for my retirement. Wanted reliability, good gas mileage, low maintenance costs and comfort. This car has met every expectation. I buy gas once or twice a month, gets 35 mpg without effort, 40 mpg on hi-way or if I work at it. I change the oil every 5000 miles. It’s comfortable to drive. Only complaint is, original tires lasted 30K miles. Everything works as good as the day I drove it off the Lot.

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  THANK YOU TOYOTA - 2005 Toyota Prius
  By marcia boemmels - February 12 - 6:10 pm

  This is our second Prius. Our 2002 was great! This one is 100% better....more comfort, better gas mileage, larger vehicle, larger tires, and alot more fun to drive. Our Prius also comes with side airbags which makes us feel much safer. We are very very happy with out new car and will buy another next time around! Our experience has not been great with American made cars and were hesitant on going foreign........but we have had NO PROBLEMS with either of our Prius. THANK YOU TOYOTA

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  Matrix - 2005 Toyota Matrix
  By degrenia - February 12 - 5:13 pm

  We just bought our car 2 weeks ago and I love the way it drives and I am short so the way the driver seat is I can back up and see so much better than any car I have tried.

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  This Central Texas Family loves our LTD. - 2008 Toyota Sequoia
  By CourtneyL - February 12 - 11:46 am

  Weve had our Sequoia since July 08, approximately 5 months. We are a family of 4. My husband, myself, and our two children both under 4years. We purchased the limited, black exterior with tan interior. Our sequoia has everything except for nav and dvd. Things we love: interior roominess- we can fit two carseats, and a full sized adult in the second and third rows. This never happened in our old suv. All three rows recline. In the second row, each seat moves individually. So if the middle person wants to recline, they can do so without bothering the other two riders. My husband now wants to trade his corolla S for a similar riding Tundra!