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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  Does everyone here only drive downhill? - 2008 Toyota Prius
  By Mitch - August 2 - 3:03 pm

  Not sure how anyone here is getting these crazy gas mileage numbers. I havent even hit 40 MPG. I have even given up my lead foot and try to keep it at or below 70 on the freeway which is about 15-20 mph less than Im used to driving. The ride is adequate for a small car, but that rear window split design is not getting easier to accept even with time. I just dont see how I can possibly increase the mileage to justify the cost of a car like this. At least in my case, I should have bought a cheap car like a Corolla or Civic getting 32 mpg or just go back to my much better performing and useful Pathfinder and just suck it up... literally. Maybe Ill sell both and buy the Lexus GS450h!!!

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  I thought I was alone! - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By Bill - August 1 - 1:36 am

  Im glad I found this web site. Just wish it would have been before the purchase of a 2007 Camry. As a previous Toyota owner, I thought it was a no brainer. However this car has serious throttle and shifting issues. Sometimes the car runs other times it cant get out of its own way. I called my dealer and Toyota. The dealer said he could reset the car to factory settings but that might make it worse. Toyota corporate would not admit there is a problem. I filed a complaint, whatever good that will do. I traded the car for a major loss. I will never buy another Toyota and will tell my story to everyone I know. As they say, buyer beware. p.s. the dash rattled!

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  Nothing but trouble - 2002 Toyota Camry
  By Vic - July 29 - 1:10 pm

  Bought this car new in 2002. Has about 103000 miles now. Worst car I have ever owned. Had to have rotors replaced under warranty because of warping and have had them turned several times also. Have already gone through three batteries in less than seven years. The car recently started to run rough at around 40 mph. Dealers initial diagnosis was there is no code so no problem. Second visit for same problem and the diagnosis was a bent right front axle. On the third visit for the same problem the diagnosis is now the transmission O/D. To top it all off the radio is junk, and when you unlock the doors with the keyfob they stay unlocked for about 15 seconds and lock back up.

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  Better cars available than the Corolla - 2010 Toyota Corolla
  By Vijay - July 15 - 5:06 am

  Toyota of Dallas has great Customer Relations, Service, and New Car Sales. Im satisfied with them. I am not satisfied with this car. My commute is 6 miles local one-way. I average 22-23 mpg. The steering is stiff, there is a huge driver side blind spot, tire noise is very noticeable, the ABS engages even at low speeds and makes a whirring sound. Cornering and braking doesnt inspire confidence. Acceleration is jerky. Interior is cheap quality with lots of plastic. Look at the flimsy rear cup holders! I wish the headrests and armrests were softer. Lastly my change holder broke already after two months and I didnt use it once. I like the mud flaps, rear bumper protector, cargo net and tray.

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  Not bad but not all they say - 2005 Toyota Prius
  By Kate - July 14 - 6:30 am

  Mine is simple/no extras. Bad news 1st Seats noticeably, miserably uncomfortable, says everyone. Interior flimsy plastic. Cup holder snapped off so easily thought maybe it was a bizarre break-out safety feature. A+ for interior space. Hatchback holds two medium dogs; seats fold, flip, split to meet every packing challenge: tree nursery, Home Depot, Ikea, kids with bikes and whatnot. Pickup/speed are very good. Handles in snow with regular tires much better than popular Swedish cars Ive owned with snow tires. Never had mechanical or any problems. Mileage okay but never, ever anything like high 50s as stated. High forties in summer with just a driver, no cargo. Otherwise averages mid 30s.

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  2007 Toyota Camry - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By Rod Farley - July 10 - 11:00 am

  Whats all the fuss? I now realize that the Camry is tinny, overpriced, and very expensive to maintain. I cannot get over 22 mpg. There are no dealerships in small towns, and they just love to replace my "cabin filter" even though I cleaned it minutes before I arrived at the dealership for service.

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  90,000 miles in 3 years - 2010 Toyota Yaris
  By jacksinn - July 8 - 10:32 pm

  Its no secret by how many miles are on this car that I bought it because of the great gas mileage. A little pricey. $17,000 and it doesnt have power ANYTHING. Friends make comments about that and they have a point. Still love the great gas mileage 35-40 highway. No problems with this car so far.

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  Toyota, I love what you do for me. NOT! - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By Rob DeSimone - July 5 - 1:36 am

  We just traded this vehicle in at 8200 miles because of several problems — problems that Toyota describes as the Toyota experience and "operating according to design specification". The Camry is like a box of chocolates — each time you touched the accelerator, you never knew what youd get. There was either hesitation or a normal acceleration. Take your foot off the accelerator and the vehicle could lunge ahead or slow down with a drag as though you downshifted from fifth to third. BTW, this is an auto transmission. These performance (and safety) issues made us realize that this car was not reliable for the long term. This was our first (and last) Toyota. Never got better than 20 mpg.

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  2007 Toyota Sienna - 2007 Toyota Sienna
  By Beth - July 4 - 8:33 pm

  Many, many problems with the interior of the car. Middle passenger side seat is a "lemon seat" seat belt is major issue, 5th time trying to resolve. A/C system airflow distribution disproportionate in the bi-level and floor level settings. Rear air conditioner and heat appear to not be cooling and barely heating. Radio defective, speaker blown 2x, tire pressure sensor broken, side mirror control fell into dash, base of lemon seat cracked, handle of same seat broke, over head light broke over this seat, rear bumper came loose, tires are bald at 25K miles,air bag indicator light malfuntioning. I cannot believe the problems were having.

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  Good car, but overrated - 2003 Toyota Camry
  By dsensing - July 4 - 11:56 am

  This is an incredibly well-built car that does most everything competently but nothing really well. Mines a tricked-out XLE (4-cyl) with leather, roof, JBL system, heated seats, etc. I have nothing to complain at 60K miles, but cant really brag about it, either. Fact is, this car is dull as dishwater. The I-4 is a slug. The JBL sound system barely qualifies as "premium." I dont feel any connection to the road through the steering, which is over-assisted and much too light at all speeds. Build quality is outstanding, as is reliability. Good back seat room and seats are 7.5 on the 10 scale for comfort (our Volvo V70 is the 10). But the Camry is dull, dull, dull.