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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  A disappointment - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By Ponch - April 22 - 3:13 am

  This car seemed so nice at first, that is until all the nagging details started surfacing. It rides fairly quiet and has good legroom but the trunk is smaller than some competitors. The 4 cylinder is adequate but many other competitors have a good deal more hp and are quieter. Suggest making the exterior look cleaner and less Mazda like. Also bring back the deleted door protection moldings and make the visors extend like on many other cars made today.

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  Clunking - 2005 Toyota Sienna
  By Beth - April 21 - 11:06 am

  Off the lot, the rear AC did not work. Then the driver door was replaced as part of the recall (note that we had had problems with the door, but were told repeatedly that nothing was wrong). At 2 years with the Sienna, noted a clunking sound when turning. Toyota service department found no problem. Clunking persisted for the next 2 years. Now, have had to replace the rack ($1200). No more clunking, although service department states that the two were not related.

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  Big regret for purchasing - 2010 Toyota Venza
  By mt - April 18 - 3:13 am

  Less of feeling fun, but comfort and bring body from point A to point B. Very disappointing to compare from my old Ford. Same junk with a good name.

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  Last Toyota I will ever buy - 2016 Toyota Tacoma
  By Bgaudry - April 17 - 2:59 pm

  I have been a lifelong Toyota customer until now. This is the 6th Toyota I have owned or leased and its the worst experience I have had with one. Engine sounds like its 20 years old. Shifts hard and lurches at lower speeds mostly during acceleration. I have had it at the dealer no less than 6 times. Rode with a tech that agreed its not right. All the did was reflash the ECU. There have been 2 TSBs they performed and problem persists. I called Toyota customer care and all they did was send me back to the dealer. I should probably go lemon law route but who has the time to deal with it. Really pisses me off every time I get in it.

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  Worst Vehicle Ive Ever Owned - 2007 Toyota Tundra
  By Tim - April 16 - 1:26 am

  Im 41 years old and have owned trucks from Dodge, Chevy, GMC, Ford, and now Toyota (I have no brand loyalty). Without a doubt, this is by far the worst vehicle I have ever owned!! Ive had so many problems, Im not sure where to begin. I have owned the truck for 5 months, and it has 9100 miles. That may seem like a lot, but I usually drive about 35k miles a year (so it should have about 17k miles, not 9). Why the low miles? Because, it spends all its time in the shop. Engine, brakes, paint (2 complete paint jobs on a brand new truck...downright criminal), transmission (on its third), ECM, constant engine codes, dash rattle, rusting bumpers, ignition stuck, bad drive shaft.

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  Definitely will not buy! - 2010 Toyota Corolla
  By Steve - April 6 - 10:10 pm

  Rented to see if I would like. Looked great from the counter so I was ready to go. 70 MPH across KS avgd 32 MPG. 75 MPH in CO with about 5% driving in downtown Den was 31 MPG. Not impressive. KS was windy and the steering was awful. Passenger thought I was playing games so I made him drive. He could barely keep it between the lines. Inverter noise made stereo useless(fine in other cars). Buddy complained driving position made his back hurt. Seat felt canted towards center stack. Had to look at gear selector every time to find gear. Headlights cannot be turned off at will. Power mirror switch difficult to reach. Size 14 shoes do not fit well with gas pedal.

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  unsafe to drive - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By bruce smith - April 6 - 7:16 pm

  After app. 500 miles this car began to hesitate on acceleration at stoplights on left turns from stops and in normal driving. This is not a slight lag on acceleration but a total lack of power. The gas pedal can be to the floor for at least a count of 5 seconds before the car starts any acceleration, when it slowly reaches 40 mph acceleration is fine. This does not happen all the time. Transmission does not know sometimes what it is doing when itÂ’s shifting up or down. One dealer says there is nothing wrong with this car. Another dealership admits to this problem but says there no cure yet. I have reported to the NHTSA that this car is unsafe for the road. We now have 5000+ miles on it.

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  Burning oil like crazy at 100K - 1997 Toyota RAV4
  By kimby - April 6 - 10:00 am

  oil burning began at 76K. At 100K looking at $3800 motor replacement. Car has been maintained (oil changes, tuneups) BEFORE required. Toyota cant explain it.

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  Love the car but its high maintenance - 2015 Toyota Sienna
  By BCN - April 5 - 7:34 am

  Toyota Sienna SE 2015. Its had levers come off, brakes warp and burned through a set of tires with under 14,000 miles on it. Its been a very high maintenance vehicle for just owning in a year and a half. I get about 13mpg in the City and 20mpg on the highway. I really do like the vehicle but Toyota Care is horrible. They are supposed to rotate tires with each initial check of service 6 mos or 5k miles and never did it. It went out of alignment and destroyed the tires. Thats after repeatedly asking them to check the alignment at two service checks. Its my first Toyota and probably my last.

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  I do not recommend the Yaris. Buy a 9th gen. Corolla instead. - 2012 Toyota Yaris
  By caro2012 - April 4 - 4:37 pm

  Ive owned my 2012 Yaris almost one year and I regret having bought it. The only good thing I can say about it is the gas mileage (I average 33.5). The construction is shoddy. The front bumper is barely held onto the frame. There is no foam under the rear bumper. The front wheel wells are made of the thinnest, cheapest plastic Ive ever seen used in this manner on a car. The car lacks sound dampening and the noise intrusion into the cabin at highway speeds is deafening. Not even the cheap stock stereo can drown out the noise. The steering wheel does not telescope, leading to a very uncomfortable seating position. Buy a 9th generation Corolla instead. Much better quality. Same MPG.