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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  Good small car - 1999 Toyota Corolla
  By Deb Geb - September 24 - 10:00 am

  My corolla is great for driving to work & short trips. It is a tight squeeze for a family of four with luggage.(I still have a lot of faith in Toyota & Im leaning toward a camry for my next car).

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  Not a home run, but at least a triple - 2005 Toyota Sienna
  By bridgewater - September 23 - 8:20 pm

  Our Toyota Sienna has been nearly perfect. There are a few things that annoy. Locking out the passenger windows also means the driver cant use them.There is not retained power so if you stop for minute you loose all power including radio and DVD. Maybe not a big deal but when the kids movie has to be started all over again its a pain. The engine power is great and it is very comfortable inside. You will never run out of room inside.

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  New Avalon … 25,000 miles later - 2008 Toyota Avalon
  By Skip - September 23 - 4:53 pm

  Well 25,000 miles later, I still like the car. I dont love it, but very close. Its a huge step up from my 2008 Camry (which was a great car, just not comfortable enough on the long trips). Id like to see the finish get tougher in the newer models. My paint seems very easy to scratch. Stock tires are getting near replacement. Most folks who ride in the car... love it! I will have a trip coming up, where we will have 4 adults and well be putting on 3,000 - 4,000 in the 2 weeks vacation, and then folks can tell me what they think of the car. I WILL be looking to trade it at the end of the year, as I will have somewhere between 30,000 - 40,000 miles on it. 2010 Avalon, time will tell.

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  Impressed overall since purchased - 2002 Toyota Tacoma
  By mcarthur55 - September 23 - 2:13 pm

  Put most of the miles on it during the past 6 years (highway miles) driving 300 miles one way every 3-4 weeks. Since January 2010 have only put about 1200 miles on it. Comfortable for a tall person like me, and handles well. Economy was between 22-24 MPG, but got 26 a couple of times when my driving was below 60mph. Averaged 20 mpg around town. Height of truck bed low enough for carrying small loads and loading fertilizer, chicken feed, mulch in (50-60 pound bags). Selling it at 115,000 miles. Transmission went out at 78,900, but had purchased extended waranty, which covered replacement and rental car. Enjoyed truck, but cant carry new grand kids in it.

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  Not a bad truck - 2002 Toyota Tundra
  By Yonsson - September 23 - 8:23 am

  I bought the truck with 45,000 miles on it and currently have 65,000. So far it hasnt needed anything besides the routine PMs. I change the oil every 4,000 and flush the trans fluid every 20,000 because Im a freak about my drivetrain, I wrecked a lot of my GMs from hurting those. I havent had any problems with my rotors warping but my brakes are pretty spongy, lots of travel in the pedal. It can haul the equipment youll need unless you get crazy with it. Acceleration is not bad but it hauls on the high end. Fuel mileage is 13 to 16 mpg so you can pass the pump that often. Otherwise not a bad truck.

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  Toyota quality? - 2009 Toyota Tacoma
  By seanski1 - September 22 - 8:44 am

  1. On fourth radio! Replaced under warranty, all. Radio would turn on, on its own, turn off on its own, wouldnt turn on at all and would not shut off when needed. Toyota radios can have issues. Talking with lady today who I shared shuttle bus home from Toyota (more on that down page) and she too experienced problematic stereo system in her Toyota. 2. Steering linkage boot torn underside of truck which apparently needed whole steering assembly be replaced not just boot cover. This also under warranty. 3.Reason for this report? Truck is an 09, with 57,000km on it and is now in shop for a new starter! No warranty left, $500 bill coming up!

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  2009 Toyota Venza Issues after 3 years - 2009 Toyota Venza
  By skyke101 - September 22 - 8:26 am

  I bought my Toyota Venza in 11 with 32K miles on it.... Its a fully loaded V6 AWD, everything except the DVD screen. I wrote a review a couple years ago, here is the updated version... The drive is great, power and get up-n-go are awesome. Gas mileage is not the greatest, about 20-21mpg mostly city driving, but its got almost as much room as a much larger SUV. Love the 20 inch wheels, hate buying tires for them. $1600 for 4 Michelins. Have replaced the sun visors twice now on the driver side and once on the passenger side. Ive read that Im not the only one that has problems with the sun visors. The road noise is terrible at speeds above 50m mph. It sounds as if Im driving with

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  Dominos Prius - 2004 Toyota Prius
  By alexx52093 - September 22 - 1:25 am

  I work for my local Dominos Pizza store. Its one of the bigger stores in my area, covering a HUGE area for delivery. My boss has two Priuss as company cars that us drivers get to drive (as well as other vehicles as well). The main Prius we use has been at this store for 3 years now. Its an 04 and was bought with 90K miles on it. It is used all day long every from opening to closing of the store. It now has 186K miles after 3 years of service. There has no been one single problem with it! It is always taken to the dealership for regular maintenance when it is needed. We drivers average about 44-48 MPG when we can. During dinner rushs we can pull around 38 MPG! These things are troopers!

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  Very good SUV - 2016 Toyota Highlander
  By 1awesomecloser - September 21 - 2:20 pm

  Really good car. Only thing off is the touch screen infotainment center needs to closer to right hand so you dont have to lean foward to reach. Other than that its almost perfect. Great residual values. Super comfy to ride in compared to my 2014 4Runner.

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  Loon Country - 2007 Toyota Corolla
  By B123 - September 21 - 1:53 am

  Quite a good little performer. I find that the 1.8L 4 cyl engine outdoes the 2.4L of the competition that I drove. This car is not a dud at all. It can cruise down the highway smooth and quiet at 70mph or more. The LE has all the equipment you ever need. 30mpg around town is common. 40mpg or close to it at highway speeds. I hauled 4 adults, one of them over 300 lbs, from the airport without crowding or noticeable loss of power due to being heavily loaded. I like this car more every day and am happy it was my choice over competition.