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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  Sludge - 2000 Toyota Sienna
  By Bill - April 20 - 11:20 pm

  Well designed interior, but that doesnt make up for the sludge problem that Toyota hid from consumers for several years. We spent $6,000 in repairs on engine because local dealership would not back us up even with demonstrated oil changes per specifications. Finally, Toyota put in a new engine under the warranty -- but the $6,000 in expense, plus a horrible experience with Champion Toyota, has made us never want another Toyota. Its sad, because weve owned 6 Toyotas and 2 Lexus over the years. So much for customer loyalty.

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  reliable, reliable, reliable - 1999 Toyota Corolla
  By shane - April 20 - 1:10 pm

  As a college student, what I really want is something that is reliable (read = cheap to maintain), safe, and fuel efficient. The Corolla fits the bill.

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  Awesome Car-----JUNK TIRES - 2015 Toyota Camry
  By Richard Sallinger - April 20 - 12:51 pm

  I have had my car three weeks. Love everything about it-----EXCEPT THE JUNK TIRES. Noticed a bounce at low speeds almost out the door of the dealer. Was in the shop at 375 miles on the odometer for 4 hrs to balance the tires. Car returned to me and the balance was worse than when I took it in. Back in the shop again at 560 miles for balancing. This time, two tires are replaced. The ride is a little smoother but still has a very noticeable tire balance problem--especially at city driving speeds. Speeds of 60 plus is still noticeable. These tires are the Turanza Bridgestone and have no business being on the market as a high value tire when it realistically is a cheap tire that has no business on a Luxury type Vehicle. Cant understand what Toyota was thinking when deciding to use these junk tires on their finest automobiles. It is almost a certainty I will be at the dealership weekly for balancing until they decide enough is enough and put some decent tires on the vehicle. If not for the tires, I would truly have a vehicle with a Luxury feel to it. Instead, I have a Luxury looking vehicle with a bounce in its get along.

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  Engine failure at 138k miles - 2008 Toyota Sequoia
  By tmaracle - April 20 - 12:26 pm

  I bought brand new. Always kept up with oil changes. Mostly highway miles. A valve spring broke, hit the cylinder head which broke and destroyed the engine block and everything. For the dealership to build me a new engine is $15k in parts, not including labor. You cant buy new engines like ford and GM. I bought a used engine for $6k and the labor cost ended up in a bill for $9850. The new engine is not working properly but the dealership is working with me. I am disappointed. I wanted to keep this truck forever. Now Im faced with a tough decision. I also lost 3mpgs. Now around 13.4 mpgs when I used to average 16.4.

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  2006 Highlander - 2006 Toyota Highlander
  By jelietz - April 20 - 7:40 am

  A thoroughly solid, reliable and dependable SUV. Have owned for 7 months with no problems at all. My 4th Toyota. All have been exceptionally reliable, if not sexy. Basically, the Highlander is as advertised. It is not luxurious, nor exceptionally sexy looking. Its performance is vanilla. However, it does everything well and is a versatile vehicle. A bit disappointed with overall mileage and seats could have more support for longer drives. Engine (V6) is rated as 19 mpg city and 25 mpg highway. I do very little city driving and my mileage averages about 20 mpg. Highway, about 22 mpg.

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  Great Vehicle - Beware Toyota Warranty - 2008 Toyota FJ Cruiser
  By Slingerdoo - April 20 - 4:00 am

  City driving is easy, but rear visibility is limited so definitely get the rear park assist. Off-road capability is top notch. Rocks, mud, water crossing - the FJ has pulled through for most. Personal experience has proven that if you take the vehicle off-road, or add after market wheels and/or bumpers, the warranty is voided. So, either buy it for city driving or buy a different vehicle for off-road use if you need a warranty.

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  4Runner Happiness - 2010 Toyota 4Runner
  By runnerforbodie - April 20 - 3:49 am

  Have 5100 miles and so far and is exceeding my expectations on MPG and comfort. Just got back from a 1200 mile trip and the reclining back seats were a big hit! The lack of freeway noise and great ride and seats make it an excellent long distance cruiser. Easy to avg 20 MPG overall. In daily 25 mile highwy/city commute I typically get 20.5 MPG with some stop and go driving which is amazing. Exceeding 75 mph gets the MPG to drop slightly below 20 mpg. Also nice to use only regular gas as compared to mid-grade or premium in my Tacoma and Lexus.

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  Very Nice - 2010 Toyota Venza
  By mjljr - April 17 - 7:10 pm

  After 6 months I still like this car. I was given a loaner for a few days till mine came in. The loaner had Goodyear tires. (Junk) Mine came with Michelin. All most no noise, soft over bumps. The V6 has plenty of power, drove it 2400 miles in 10 days. through the smokey mountains the cruse control held with out downshifting. Average mpg was 25.6 across Ohio and lower Michigan it got 26.4 (I set the cruse at the posted limit) To work and back average is 24.1mpg. The seats are very comfy. 800 miles one day with no back or leg pain. Plenty of room for big shopping trips.

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  Corolla Sport Options - 2009 Toyota Corolla
  By Fay - April 17 - 6:26 pm

  The design of the 2009 Corolla Sport model leaves a lot to be desired. First, they do not offer intermittent wipers at all in this model which was a shock. The head rests on the seats lean forward and your head is up against the headrest. The front seats do not go back far enough so you are cramped. The clock is not separate anymore. There is a button you have to push 7 times to get back around to the clock, located behind the wheel to the left. Look before you buy a Sport model. Do not assume that normal options come in every model. I love Corollas but I hate the Sport model. Its still fun to drive but I cant get comfortable. I prefer driving my mothers 2006 Corolla.

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  Not so impressed - 2011 Toyota Avalon
  By accountant - April 16 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car to replace a 12 year old camry. I thought I was moving upscale but after 3 months I have my doubts. The car runs smooth and has good power, satisfied with the mileage. The materials seem cheap. The panels on the exterior are poorly fit together and dont line up to each other anywhere. Everything is plastic. So far the airbag light was stuck on, they had to replace the seat belt latch. The trunk wouldnt close unless I slammed it hard as I could, they had to redrill and move the latch a little, the rubber weather stripping around the sun roof started peeling back, they glued it down, and now my compass keeps sticking on NE. I prefer my old Camry, more comfortable.