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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  I HAD TONS of problems!!! bought NEW - 2000 Toyota Tacoma
  By Marine - December 1 - 10:00 am

  I bought this vehicle new off show room floor with 2 miles on odometer. This thing wore tires funny, TRD emblem came off 3 times check engine light came on 4 times. I finally traded it in for a Dodge durango after 3 years of agony in that tacoma!

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  My experience: it is a junk car - 1999 Toyota Camry
  By Jason - November 28 - 8:13 pm

  I bought Toyota Camry in 1999. It ran ok in the first 5 years. Then I had to fix it at least twice a year (not including service or oil change). In average I spent $1500 on repair each year. I only drove 11000 miles and have changed most of stuff in the car already. Finally, I decided to sell this car. I really should have sold it earlier. I will never buy from Toyota anymore.

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  Not Worthy - 2003 Toyota 4Runner
  By Dadeo7432 - November 26 - 9:23 am

  Our 4Runner had transmission and catalytic converter problems. When we got to the third catalytic converter and the second transmission we decided to trade it in. Only 46,000 miles in just over three years. No we did not have to pay for this work, but the trips to the dealer were getting old, and no I did not feel like towing on a long trip to have the transmission die while towing the boat. The car stank the first year until they finally replaced the catalytic converter. The transmisson vibrated under light acceleration before and after it was replaced. Then the dashboard lighted up like a Christmas tree only a day after the transmission was replaced. We traded ours, hope you dont buy it.

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  My first and Last Toyota Highlander - 2017 Toyota Highlander
  By Ron - November 24 - 10:12 am

  The things that am disappointed in with the "Toyota Highlander are: (1) Getting in and out of the car is very difficult as I am constantly hitting my head when entering the car. (2) Wind noise is very high especially on the passenger side and my dealer says nothing can be done to help. (3) The seat belt alarm is VERY irritating and loud. (a warning is fine but constant loud noise makes me dislike this car). (4) The car is very hard to program and much too hard for me to even begin to explore the options available. (5) I cannot find any way to have more than one cell phone connected at a time, so I am unable to have both my phone and my wifes phone connected (one or the other at a time). (6) The feature that shuts down the engine while at a stop light is very agitating and should be a option to either always on or always off. Lastly I would like to comment on the dealership. I was very disappointed in the dealer in my city as I felt like I was being forced into buying things I did not want to buy and almost (should have) walked out during the finance meeting. Over all, because of the road and wind noise, along with the difficulty getting in and out of the car, I would not recommend this car.

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  Glad Im leasing this, Ill be giving it back! - 2011 Toyota Venza
  By susancab - November 18 - 10:50 am

  Maybe I shouldve got the 6 cyl but there is a lot not to like about the 4 cyl. Ive had mine for 10K mi and the handling is very poor, the car drifts and seems like its constantly out of alignment, even right after they align and balance it. I took it in twice so far and it seems fine for maybe 2 weeks then it starts drifting again. Hate it. The power is too weak and the engine sounds like a cheap engine with a course sound. Very loud compared to my Odyssey. Gas mileage is poor, even on the 4 cyl. There is a lot of room for improvement on this car. Meanwhile, Ill be renting other cars for lengthy test drives before buying my next car. :(

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  sequoia-owner for 4 years - 2001 Toyota Sequoia
  By Kittridge - November 17 - 7:26 pm

  Just an average SUV, with some annoying issues, like brakes that need replacement too often, doors that wont stay open and a poor speaker system, lack of ease when trying to get to the rear seats

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  New 4Runner let down; disappointed - 2010 Toyota 4Runner
  By novice editor - November 9 - 4:00 am

  Much to my disappointment the new 4Runner falls short in many areas. One of the most glaring issues are the brakes. There is a 2-3 inch depression of the brake pedal before you feel they kick in and only with tremendous effort on the pedal. (It makes me wonder amid the recalls.) The rear end brakes make a pop sound at times and dealer says its normal:( The vehicle height is a problem, no running boards and instability when facing cross winds. Steering is vague when opposed by the same cross winds. No USB port but a mere MP3 plug for a vehicle of this expense. No running boards either and anyone under 511 with have a tough challenge getting in and out of the vehicle.

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  Toyotas quality is slipping - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By smythe - November 5 - 1:53 pm

  Best way to describe this car is to say that is is obvious that the engineering was sound, but the execution (build quality and materials) is terrible! Ive had the same transmission problems/hesitation issues as everyone else. Had replaced ECU, and 3 software loads, and problem is finally fixed. 3 blown struts at 30,000 miles, interior trim coming loose and rattling/squeaking, stains on paint, and bug splats taking paint off, premature/uneven brake wear, on 3rd windshield (they are incredibly thin). Insanely cheap plastic all over interior. I could go on for pages.

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  Problematic 2006 RAV4 V6 Limited - 2006 Toyota RAV4
  By squarebomb - November 2 - 2:30 am

  We were so excited to hear that Toyota was building a V6 RAV4. After owning a 1999 RAV4 L for many years, we were ready for a bigger and more powerful RAV4. But because we couldnt get a good trade-in value for our 1999 RAV4, we decided to keep it. That was probably the best thing we ever did. While this RAV4 with the V6 engine si fun to drive, owning it is not fun at all. From whining sound coming from the fuel pump, to grumbling sound caused by the AWDs ECU, to prematurely failed wheel bearings, to knocking steering wheel column, to rusted through "Stainless steel" muffler, to failing ignition coils, and leaking oil lines that almost bursted. Now we have to replace the water pump. Sigh

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  tacoma - 2011 Toyota Tacoma
  By azb3 - October 30 - 5:26 pm

  2011 Tacoma 4x4 5 spd std. this is the cheapest truck I have ever owned you cant make it any cheaper it doesnt look like its built to last to me I see why all the frames on the older models rust out cheap metal 4 cyl. has no power clutch is weak it cant handle light work let alone heavy . the worst money Ive ever spent, if you want a cheap truck and want to spend 26K than this is the truck for you.