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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  Would by another one in a heartbeat - 2002 Toyota 4Runner
  By clowbell99 - October 29 - 10:00 am

  I bought my 4Runner with 32K miles on it, it now has 165K miles on it. It has been the most reliable vehicle. I have owned. I have taken it on many road trips, and it has never failed me. Driving over pot holes and speed bumps it is a rough ride. But since that is on a rare occasion, over all I am pleased. I have leather, and after 8 years of wear and tear, it does need to be replaced. It is just now starting to show its age, and even then it is still a good looking vehicle.

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  Almost 200,000 Miles and still running - 2001 Toyota Camry
  By Ray - October 29 - 10:00 am

  Bought car as rebuilt with 450 miles on odometer. Rear had repaired damage and the engine compartment clean. Changed Oil & Filter every 3000 with Castrol 10-30W. AUTO Transmission fluid changed every 22-25K miles. Bosch 4+4 plugs every 20K Miles. Air FILTER element every 20K miles. Radiator flush every 2 years and new fluid. At 199,400 miles changed out catalytic converter and two sensors. Timing belt and water pump changed only twice at 98K miles intervals. MPG around 25 city 29 hwy on regular gas. ride is average and does not handle well in snow or ice unless you have Bridgestone Blizzards tires or equivalent. Only problem is brake rotors tend to warp on hard braking. r

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  Just cant please everyone! - 2010 Toyota Venza
  By XFIREN - October 29 - 10:00 am

  I am shocked when reading some of the reviews concerning the quality and refinement of the materials in the Venza. First of all let me say that I always have concerns about the knocks to this vehicle being in line with the over publicized recalls " I wonder "? I have owned 20 vehicles over a 35 year period and this vehicle rates up with the best of them, all of them have been in the 40 - 50k range. I do agree that a 18-19" wheel option should be available, although I love the look and except the slight stiffer ride of the 20" Interior quality is good and ergonomics great. if you considering the Venza buy with confidence.

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  Love the durability - 2010 Toyota Tundra
  By kevin - October 29 - 10:00 am

  I have read all the reviews and see where everybody seems to be averaging 15+ MPG on their 5.7. I would love to know what they are doing because my display has topped out at a whopping 13.5 MPG. Is there a secret? I plan on purchasing a cat-back exhaust and air filter system in the future to up my performance and mileage. No regret. Seats family of 5 very comfortably. Got a good deal and hopefully will see this truck through to the end.

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  My rav - 2010 Toyota RAV4
  By mike - October 29 - 10:00 am

  I love its design which is both fun and classy. Toyota doesnt need to resort to cheap tricks to get a higher selling price for a quality vehicle. The interior is perfectly designed (and I believe other manufacturers like Hyundai have taken note of this). This vehicle handles curves almost like a sport car. The radio lighting is a little dim during the day which is awkward but at night the interior lighting is a show in itself. Its classy, its all-purpose, mileage could be better but worth the trade-off for its response. Luv it!

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  Glad I bought it - 2010 Toyota RAV4
  By Jazzman - October 29 - 10:00 am

  I traded in my 04 RAV4 and considered CR-V (I owned a 98 CR-V), Outback, and Equinox. I finally chose the RAV for the V6, reliability, gas mileage and space. Also, they were dealing at the time because of the media blitz about unintended acceleration. This car gets about 1 mpg better than my older 4 cylinder RAV and is much faster and roomier. Its definitely built light weight, the body panels seem pretty thin from the outside. I have no road noise complaints after driving two other small crossovers for the last 12 years; its noticeably quieter than those. When my commute was largely freeway I got 24 mpg (actual). Now I drive short stop and go hilly trips at 4200 ft elevation and get 22.

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  Good little SUV but not great. - 2016 Toyota RAV4
  By Ron W. - October 29 - 6:11 am

  Pros - Looks great, handles well, great safety features and reliability. Cons - Gas mileage, around 21.5 combined (L.A.), a little noisy, front brakes (and this has never happened to me) wont last too long. I havent needed brakes since cars I owned in the late 1980s. I trade them in around 35k-50k mileage. So this is a design flaw in the Toyota ESPECIALLY because they already have to turn/smooth the front rotors and replace the pads. (Its at the dealer as I write this.) No charge, under warranty, but still, this should not of happened yet. The interior is cheap. I have SO many little scratches, marks and a big dip where my elbow rests on the smooth part where the window meets the plastic. I take really great care of my cars and have never seen so many interior marks. Im a solo driver 97% of the time so this is just weird. Acceleration is acceptable but never fun, even in sport mode. Navigation is primitive, but that is no big deal because I use my iPhone for navigation through bluetooth which works nicely.

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  Unstopable. - 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser
  By Bigtarget - October 28 - 11:16 am

  Purchased the Auto trans. "C" package Canadian version (6-disc, side airbags, roof-rack, 120v outlet, dashtop gage cluster, diff lock etc) about 5 weeks ago. This vehical is a blast to drive off-road, climbs like crazy, lots of ground clearence (except for running boards) and is very roomy and confortable on long trips. The towing power is excellent. I removed the running boards last week, as they are badly bent from off-roading, if you intend on doing any off-roading get rid of these useless things and get factory or aftermarket rock-rails. Other then srcatched paint from branches this truck is SOLID! This is a to-hell-and- back SUV. The FJ is no poser, take it off-road where it belongs.

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  Reliable but Not a Fun Car - 1999 Toyota Camry
  By Steven - October 28 - 6:23 am

  Toyota Camry, is by far one of the most reliable cars, with best performance that I have ever driven. It has never let me down. Unfortunately, it is also not very fun to drive. It is relatively bulky, no fancy designs. It is basically an excellent choice for a family car for a person who does not care about the quality of FUN of driving.

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  Disappointed in mileage - 2008 Toyota Corolla
  By gary whalen - October 28 - 3:10 am

  Very reliable & dependable car, but we are disappointed in the gas milage, only 32 mpg for local driving and 35 mpg on open road. Was rated near 40 mpg on open road.