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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  Unexpected power in for a Green SUV - 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
  By Steve R - August 4 - 9:36 pm

  My ONLY complaint is headroom for tall adults in the back and passenger seats. I am used to a truck with greater headroom. I have friends over 64 who found the more elevated passenger seat and back seat head clearence a little cramped. I often pulse and cruise - get 29-30mpg around town. It has better pickup than our accord and is quality wise the very best vehicle we have owned. Given, the Tundra WAS Alot more fun off road. I recommend vehicle. Oh one other minor flaw, sunroof and window noise is a problem when openned and you have to adjust them when exceeding 30 mph to stop a annoying wind vibration. Again minor when all the advantages of this vehicle are considered.

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  2002 Toyota Celica Malfunctions! - 2001 Toyota Celica
  By kb85 - August 4 - 12:22 pm

  My toyota celica has many probs that seem to be common with celicas of different yrs. My belt needs replacing, my lights always burn out simultaneously (no way they could die at exact same time!), just got into an accident last night and my seatbelt never locked and my airbags never deployed! Now I am suffering from injury from bouncing off my steering wheel that couldve and shouldve been prevented. Wanted ppl to know in case they are considering purchasing a celica or if anyone knows of legal action I should persue. Thank You.

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  engine noise - 2010 Toyota Camry
  By Ronald Kennedy - August 4 - 6:18 am

  Bought this Camry new in June 2009.Has the 2.5 engine. It has 24400 miles. It has developed a clatter in the engine. I had a mechanic look at it and he said it sounded like the timing chain. He did some research and found several tech bulletins relating to timing chains and engine noise. This was my first Toyota and will be my last. Repair was estimated to be $1000.Not gonna happen.

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  None like it on the road today - 1997 Toyota Tacoma
  By None like it - August 4 - 5:43 am

  This is an incredible truck. Good looking, reliable, fast, hardworking. I bought it with 54k on it and now it has 167k. Never has skipped a beat. Have taken it offroad many times and it did the job effortlessly. This is quite possibly the best truck you can buy.

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  a turtle with an ipod - 2010 Toyota 4Runner
  By jefre - August 4 - 3:02 am

  had six 4 runners over a 25 year period. so obviously have been happy with them, PREVIOUSLY. have had the 10 limited for five months now and so disapointed with it, i sold it new years weekend. gas mileage 17mpg, pickup/acceleration is terrible. so underpowered. dont believe the HP is adequate for the mass of the vehicle. need to downshift constantly in order to get up the slightest incline. apprehensive to enter a highway. wouldnt try passing a scooter. if your looking to only drive it to the local green market then ok. otherwise look at anything else.

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  Not just a commuter car - 2002 Toyota Echo
  By Joan - August 4 - 12:00 am

  After 3+ years, I still love this car: spacious compared with any other small car, miserly gas mileage, no operating problems, great pick-up, nimble handling, can be parallel parked with 1" to spare at each end (honest!), instruments in plain sight (not hiding behind the steering wheel). Until this summer Id never driven it farther than 200 miles from home: wasnt sure how its oomph would handle steep grades on I-70 thru Colorados Front Range and how its light weight would handle high winds on the Great Plains. Mtns: had to opt for the slow lane a few times after losing momentum to pokey vehicles ahead, else OK to good. Plains and Prairies: TOO good! (speeding ticket in Iowa)

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  I wish they still made these - 1993 Toyota Camry
  By AlaskaDave - August 3 - 5:43 pm

  I bought this Camry in Anchorage, Alaska with 152,000 miles on it. It has been a fantastic vehicle. It now has traveled 185,000 miles and it still gets 19 city 26 hwy mpg, runs like a top, performs well, and is very comfortable for a large person (6 2" 230 lb). And everything still works! The only thing I would change if I could is to have a Camry wagon like this with AWD. That would truly be a car for the long term.

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  No Cruising, Poor shifting - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By Viv - August 3 - 3:20 pm

  Had an excellent 2001 Camry LE. Bought a 2007 Camry LE and wish I had kept my 2001. It doesnt shift properly, when you slow down in traffic and then accelerate to move forward it hesitates. Trying to get onto a highway I need to be sure I have plenty of space and time because the car does not accelerate fast enough. Forget cruise control - it doesnt keep a steady speed, it slows down and suddenly accelerates, I have had close calls. Im thinking of trading it in. It has poor MPG. I like the way it looks, but its performance leaves much to be desired.

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  Dont Buy. Unsafe and Irritating - 2007 Toyota Highlander
  By garywi - August 3 - 3:03 pm

  Problems: 1. Excessive engine vibration transmitted through steering column. 2. Excessive front braking, front brakes grab, seem out of proportion with back. Braking consistency varies. 3. Cold idle too high, 1950 RPM, transmission slams into gear. 4. Engine idle, loud resonance or “boominess”, growl in first gear. 5. Transmission erratic with inappropriate shifting. Transmission always shifting up to 5th gear at slow speeds, pushing car forward faster when not desired. Car will not downshift when appropriate. Car will drive for a mile without gas pedal input, stuck in 5th gear at 900 RPM. Car is easier to stop if put in neutral. Excessive braking to keep car from surging forward.

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  I love my Yaris - 2008 Toyota Yaris
  By AT - August 3 - 1:16 pm

  I love this car. I just got the Yaris a week ago and Im loving it. I drive 122 miles a day, 5 days a week, total of 610 miles per week and I spent $40 on gas the first week on my commute in the Yaris, comparing to my 2004 Audi A6, which I was spending $50 every 2 days, I will probably save about $4,000 or more on gas this year because, last year I spent $6,900 on gas driving my A6 to work. Now that the A6 is parked in the garage I stand the chance of saving extra money on gas. Thanks Toyota.