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:

• 

  More Front End Brake Problems - 2000 Toyota Tundra
  By Shadytrake - December 24 - 1:06 am

  I posted originally in 2003 about the brake problem. Well it has become progressively worse. I can only go 1 year on the front brakes before the rotors go and the calipers get stuck. It is in the shop now for its 5th or 6th (Ive lost count) front end brake, caliper, and rotor job. The truck is reliable -yes- but before I tow the horse, I have to have the brakes inspected for wear. They just dont hold up.

• 

  Id buy another! - 2007 Toyota Prius
  By Bill - December 22 - 4:06 pm

  I bought this vehicle after my 3rd $1200 VW Passat repair bill in 6 months. I fell in love with the turn radius, handling, pickup in the city on the test drive. The inside feel is as if the car has wrapped itself around you in a cocoon of quiet. The first time I pulled up to a stop sign, there was utter silence! I am continually surprised at what you can get in the back with the second seat folded down- it folds flat! I also own a Mazda Miata and I prefer driving the Prius!

• 

  great gas mileage - 2010 Toyota Corolla
  By unclogum - December 22 - 12:01 pm

  Have 14,000 trouble free miles and never, repeat never got less than 35 mpg. Im 59 and retired so I may look at things a little different , but have owned some 40 cars in my life and this one is a good one. Drove the others in its class and this was tops. They hold their value ( check out Ebay and craigs list) are reliable and easy to go 200,000 miles with. Hard to find a low mileage one for sale. If its value for your dollar this is it.

• 

  Questioning Purchase - 2009 Toyota Corolla
  By SE Georgia - December 21 - 10:40 pm

  I traded in my 2007 Prius on this sporty Corolla thinking it would be fun to drive and economic as my 1994 Mazda Protege was. I am very disappointed in the interior comfort as well as the manual transmission.

• 

  Love The Venza but..... - 2015 Toyota Venza
  By Sheila B. - December 21 - 8:58 am

  I love this car for the body style, roomy, cargo space, it takes regular gas and handles like a car. While the 20” tires look good it gives a hard ride over bumps but smooth on smooth surfaces. The price is high for the interior quality and features compared to other Toyota products like the Camry or Highlander. Toyota says it’s due to keeping the vehicle light weight for better gas mileage. Makes sense. The front dash could be designed better with a larger screen and more features; the dash is big and wide enough to support it. @@@HERE IS MY MAJOR COMPLAINT: THE DUAL AUTOMATIC CLIMATE CONTROLS – SUCK@@@. I’ve owned 2010, 2013 and now a 2015. Toyota has done something to the DUAL AUTOMATIC CLIMATE CONTROL and it does not maintain the cabin (inside car) temperature. It did in my previous cars. I would set the temperature at 72 degrees and it kept me very comfortable without any other actions required. On the 2015 Venza when I set the DUAL AUTOMATIC CLIMATE CONTROL to AUTO and temperature to 72 degrees everything is fine for a few minutes and then it starts to blow cool and then cold air from the front vents and it does the same thing as I increase the temperature until it gets about 88 degrees or higher. If I select the recirculate air button (the car with the “U” shape vertical arrow) the air only gets colder. When I put it on manual it still blew cold until it set it around 80 degrees and then it would get so hot that my eyes would burn and start tearing and my feet felt like they were on fire. Also with the recirculate air button I would get all kind of smells like a musty odor, one time like engine fumes another time like something burning. I’ve had my 2015 Venza since January 29, 2016 and it been in the shop more than I have driven it. They have duplicated and experience the problem but no one knows how to fix it. For a price tag of 41K I expect to set the temperature and for it to be maintained not to blow cold air on me to maintain the temperature. If I had known this I would have kept my older vehicle.

• 

  Awful Quality and Rattling - 2009 Toyota Corolla
  By Linda - December 20 - 4:20 am

  Rattling comes from the dashboard, seat belt housing, and back panel! Extremely annoying! Toyota Corp. Representative said that this is a normal operation in Corolla even this is not a base model trim! Despaired by Toyota!

• 

  Fun to drive!! - 2003 Toyota 4Runner
  By donnfann - December 19 - 10:00 am

  Fun to drive!! Very resonsive. Plenty of towing power even driving thru the mountains. Only negative is a rattle in the sunroof took 4 visits to the dealership to get the problem resolved.

• 

  Poor Paint Quality :( - 2003 Toyota Corolla
  By gringo - December 19 - 10:00 am

  Buyers beware. Paint quality on white cars is extremely poor. Paint is so thin and sealed poorly that it actually stains even though waxed! Chips way to easily. It scares me to think what this car will look like in a year. I cannot talk to other colors but I can assure you that you will have paint problems within months of buying a white Corolla.

• 

  Great Ride - 2010 Toyota Camry
  By Ohio Don - December 19 - 6:23 am

  We bought this car for my wife at the end of the 2009, just prior to the giant recall fiasco. This is our 16th Toyota and while somethings have been decontented (non-sliding sun visors) the overall trend is certainly up. The car is nearly as comfortable as my 2005 Avalon. We just took it on an all highway round trip of 1000 mile and got a 34.1 MPG, actual, at speeds of 70-75 MPH. I am most pleased with the mileage. (The trip computer, however, is overly optimistic). Much of the trip was up and down mountain areas and did well going uphill without much effort. The car looks nice though not a styling stand out. Tires are the Bridgestones and nothing to write home about.

• 

  Built to Tow - 2013 Toyota Highlander
  By osos2 - December 19 - 4:05 am

  We bought our 2013 SE 4WD in January 14 to replace our 11 Murano as we had bought an Escape 17B trailer. It weighs appx. 2600 lbs. loaded, and the Murano wasnt really built for it. All SEs have the tow package included- a must for anyone towing regularly to properly cool engine & trans oil. Ours also came with hitch. The experience in towing is night and day. On paper both vehicles are somewhat similar, however with the 4WD (AWD really), and its extra curb weight. It pulls our trailer easily. Also, the Murano has a CVT trans, and am not sure about the durability of it with significant towing.