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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  Very decent van - 2004 Toyota Sienna
  By chuckb - January 14 - 6:53 am

  Not a lot of problems with our 2004 LE FWD. The passenger side power window motor did fail at around 20,000 miles. Replaced under warranty but did have to leave overnight for repair. Recently needed coolant sensor, thermostat and air/fuel sensor at 28,000 miles, but these were replaced in a day under warranty. The Dunlop tires wear out very quickly. Replacing them now at 28000 mi. with Yokohama Avid TRZs. Gas mileage is lower than expected, averaging 17.3 MPG over the past two and a half years, and that is almost all suburban and highway!

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  First Toyota; Impressions - 2006 Toyota RAV4
  By ravdriver - January 14 - 5:03 am

  My first toyota: Rav4. Overall, its solid, and I think I am glad I purchased it. 4cyl engine is powerful, but NOISY and harsh. Not refined or quiet as Toyotas reputation. Stereo is just average. Fuel economy is not good. Im getting 23MPG. If I had to do it over again, I would consider other more fuel efficient cars.

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  Great package - 2005 Toyota Corolla
  By Minou - January 13 - 11:46 pm

  I have a 2005 manual CE with C Package (canadian model). Comes with AC, power package, cruise and remote door locks. Roomy for its size, large doors and high seats and driving position are a plus. Feels solid on the road and the body is tight. This is important, since montreal and quebec probably have the worst roads and climate in north america. The engine is peppy and willing, even at low revs, while delivering superior fuel economy. Steering and suspension are both firm, but not overly so, and offer good control. The interior is well designed with very good controls. Radio/CD is big and simple to operate. Indigo blue ext. with grey int. is a good mix. Great package for the price

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  WHERES THE MILEAGE? - 2004 Toyota Prius
  By steves - January 13 - 10:00 am

  I purchased a 2004 Prius in January. As of 3000 miles, am averaging 34 MPG. I had the vehicle checked today by a local Toyota dealer, but their tests showed nothing wrong. I have asked several other Prius owners about their mileage; none have had less than 45, most well over! I dont expect (or believe) the claims of 51/60 MPG, I expect something relative, and 34 is not acceptable. The dealer suggested having Toyota factory technicians test the vehicle. Whatever course of action they prefer is fine with me, Id simply like a rapid and comprehensive flow of communication, but Toyota has been completely non-responsive.

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  Camry: Yes, You Can Get It at Invoice - 2004 Toyota Camry
  By Jimmy-Jimmy - January 13 - 10:00 am

  Who needs a v6; the 4 is quite peppy. But the seat bottoms are firm to the point of near discomfort. Back seats do not fold down flat; thus a 6 ladder cant be pushed through because of the small opening.

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  Lexus SC300 in disguse - 2000 Toyota Camry Solara
  By ms - January 11 - 3:36 pm

  I bought the car for my wife last summer and I must say that this car is incredible. Everything from the design to reliability. My wife is expecting and the car sits to low for her to drive now so I have the pleassure of driving it I havent driven my Lincoln Conntinnetal for over four months now. My friend has a Lexus SC300 I went to his house and parked my car next to his and except for the front and rear bumpers and other cosmetic differences it is the same car. I love it I plan to buy one for myself.

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  Solid Truck - 2006 Toyota Tundra
  By Good truck - January 11 - 5:23 am

  If you dont need a large engine for hauling loads, this is a solid vehicle. The performance has been good thus far. MPG is a bit lower than Id like for a smaller V8. Interior features are decent. So far it has been what I would expect from Toyota.

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  Extremely Pleased! - 2007 Toyota Yaris
  By matt_n - January 10 - 10:20 pm

  I really do love my Yaris. I was a bit skeptical after reading some reviews from various editors, but in the end I decided to trust the consumer reviews, and Im glad I did. As long as you understand that you are not going to have the fastest car in the world, I think you will be pleased if you purchase a Yaris. I have a light touch on the pedal to conserve my MPG, but it has no problem traveling in the fast lane. I have never driven a hatchback, but now I am hooked forever! Some reviews talk about a lack of a fun factor, but trust me, its a lot more fun than handling a big truck or SUV. Its a great feeling to fill up my tank and know its going to last me the week! That alone is worth it.

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  The best economical option out there - 2008 Toyota Corolla
  By rsucre - January 10 - 6:10 pm

  My first car was a 2007 Toyota Camry XLE V6 3.5L automatic. After driving it I fell in love with the Toyota brand. However, as a college student, owning a Camry got very expensive in regards to gasoline and maintenance. Therefore I decided to go with a more economic option and trade-in for a 2008 Corolla CE. I felt like it was the best decision possible. I needed a car that was both reliable and efficient with fuel, and the Corolla exceeds both of these requirements.

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  No 60 mpg; has some bugs, but good car - 2004 Toyota Prius
  By eyeonthescreen - January 9 - 2:50 pm

  Our Prius averages 44 mpg, not the 51-60 EPA mpg in the ads. It has been in the shop three times now on recalls. The GPS-controls and display software needs some upgrades to be competitive with other makes. BUT, despite these short comings, my next new car will likely be a Prius. It is a work horse, I can pile more stuff in it than in my Avalon, which is a much bigger car on the outside. Interior head and leg room is also better than my Avalon. Prius style is true 21st century; not some makeover of a 20th century design. It has great voice interaction capability and blue tooth connectivity. And despite being hard to navigate around, the GPS does an excellent tracking job.