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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  Regret purchasing this vehicle - 2008 Toyota Highlander
  By Will B. - June 25 - 4:43 am

  Ive had Toyotas before and been very pleased. Ive had this Highlander for about five months and have serious misgivings about having purchased it. Im reminded of this everytime I have to use two hands to push down the back door.. its very hard to close. Its been many years since Ive driven a car with a noteciably poor transmission but when starting off going down hill (which is how our drive is situated) this transmission is rough. You can see the RPMs reving then hear and feel the transmission catch up. I took it into the dealership but they claim that is the way it is supposed to be. Ive never had a problem with a car until I bought this Highlander and really wouldnt recommend it

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  Cheap Built - 2012 Toyota Tacoma
  By tuckerp - June 24 - 6:36 pm

  My 2012 reg cab 4x4 gets very poor fuel milage . And forget trying to pass another car . The build is very poor . Right front inside fender Well keeps falling out . It is put together with snaps . After twice in the shop . I am putting screws in it . The manual stick leather boot fell through when I dropped my phone on it . Once again it is snapped in. Now falls out easy . Worst truck I have owned . I have owned at least 20 new trucks . I had a Tundra the first year they came out . It was a great truck .And had a 85 toyota 4x4 that was indestructible . This truck should be nick named the lego truck . I cant believe how much Toyota has moved toward such poor quality .

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  Way over priced, wished kept old tacoma - 2009 Toyota Tacoma
  By greg - June 23 - 2:13 pm

  I like my old Tacoma better. Wonder if dealer still has mine i want it back lol. My suspension wasnt good on first yota but this new truck is worse!!! Dont buy it - worst truck Ive owned. $23 grand lol never again maybe 15k.

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  So much for Quality and Reliability - 2004 Toyota Camry Solara
  By HJ - June 21 - 4:46 am

  I am completely dissatisfied with this vehicle! My wife and daughter drive 140 miles round-trip every day. I bought a Toyota because I thought it was a high-quality, safe, and reliable vehicle. I have had many many problems with this vehicle. While most of the problems do not affect the safety and reliability of the vehicle, one problem most certainly does – intermittently the car will not start – completely dead – no clicks no nothing. I have to jump the vehicle to get it started. I have had the car in for service several times and they keep telling me they cannot find anything wrong. I guess it’s a figment of my imagination.

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  Thinkin this was the best for fuel - 2009 Toyota Corolla
  By BEARBORG - June 19 - 5:53 pm

  Driven the car for 7.5 months (50,000 KM-now)and I am extremely disappointed as its not fuel efficient at all! All I have been told is...wait for engine break-in. Only made 26 mi/gal (doing 95% highway driving) in the Winter, now up to 32 mi/gal in Spring. Ive complained each month about the fuel economy when taking the car in for reg. oil changes. The other items I have had continual problems with are: air leakage by your head-along windows, squealing fan belt, flat tires that will not hold patches and plugs, these are constant and ongoing. I built cars on the internet comparing/researching prior to buying...due to the miles I make. My goals were gas savings,comfort,value.. Nothing was met

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  Poor Winter Performance - 2008 Toyota FJ Cruiser
  By kidsysco - June 11 - 3:30 am

  I would not suggest an FJ cruiser for anyone who intends on driving it in weather that is less than 30 degrees F. Which is not very cold at all, many places in the world get much colder. My FJ has a serious problem with ice. At a mere 27 degrees F the entire tank holding all of the windshield wiper fluid has turned to slush. I have anti- freeze in there rated up to -50 degrees F. It does not matter, the way that the tank is positioned inside the motor is poorly engineered so that the wind blows up against it causing things to freeze up more easily than any other car I have ever owned.

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  toyota service - 2007 Toyota Corolla
  By kevin145 - June 10 - 2:54 am

  front brake locked up my dealer changed flex hose ,piston in caliper then the abs box 3 different times. cost over 1000.00 still never fixed it. said want my money back ,he said it was my fault i put dirtybreak fluid in it i said this is first problem ever had and you the dealer was only one worked on it he said tobad your not getting nothing back got mad took car to local mech fixed it for 100.00 last toyota i will ever own of any make .service is poorer then poor.now i just recieved recall on computer lol

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  trans shutter/lag/late downshift - 2011 Toyota 4Runner
  By enuffznuff - June 7 - 1:23 am

  I spoke with a danica sorenson at toyota executive offices and she said she did not want to get my hopes up but there might not be a fix for my problem. Can you believe such a response. ADVICE! File your arbitration request in your warranty booklet today, You have 3yrs or 36 thousand miles and engage attorneys for the presumed battle that will likely insue.

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  Never Again! - 2002 Toyota Camry
  By Ed M. - May 30 - 2:00 am

  I went from a 99 Accord V6 to the Camry SE 4cyl. The SE V6 with all the option packages that whomever adds (dealer or manuf.), was out of my price range. Although not lacking in power, the quality of the vehicle in general stinks!,Squeaks, rattles, groans,fit and finish issues, etc. Beware of the "performance tires". They don’t like cold and snow.I ended up spending $600 for new tires. The dealer told me to call Toyota in CA. who basically told me that no, the tires werent designed for snow and ice conditions and told me that I didnt research the technical data on the car and refused me reimbursement! Toyotas customer service motto should read, "Buyer Beware"!

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  poor transmission - 2006 Toyota Highlander
  By karen18 - May 29 - 1:20 am

  V6 AWD automatic drives like a manual transmission driven by someone who doesnt know how to shift. Toyota says all is within specifications and transmission will "learn" how I drive. Hasnt yet. Hesitation, overreving, underreving, hard shifting. Console area leaves a lot to be desired. Not enough spaces to put things. Speedometer should only go to 110mph; half of it is never used. Lumbar support is nice. Vehicle has a good amount of room. Wouldnt buy again.