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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  SR5 V6 - 1995 Toyota 4Runner
  By Son - June 28 - 10:00 am

  This is a great car. I bought it new and it still runs greatat over 120,000 miles. Had a tune-up at 65K and the cd player ate a cd in the first week. Those are the only problems ever. I would recommend again. Now I am looking at the Sequoa for the reliability and value.

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  Best buy - 2001 Toyota Sequoia
  By kalloo - June 28 - 10:00 am

  Overall very comfortable. Inspite of its size, handles well even at high speeds and in hilly areas. Not too difficult to parallel park. Gives 17-19mpg on Highway. about 15 in city of boise Had to replace tires at 20,000 and front brakes are already gone with just over 21000 miles.

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  Love It! - 2003 Toyota Matrix
  By BOWLPROSHOP - June 28 - 10:00 am

  A nice high profile for a smaller SUV type vehicle. I dont usually like larger cars and when I needed a new car, I was looking for a corolla type vehicle. This allows me much more cargo space without being a BIG car. Mileage is good at about 28.

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  Best of the segment - 2003 Toyota 4Runner
  By ffuser2001 - June 28 - 10:00 am

  Have owned the 2003 4Runner since last November, and have continually been impressed with it. The price was fair, its built closer the way a SUV is supposed to be built (solid frame, sold axle(s), ground clearance, low range, limited slip, etc), and it can tow a decent amount. Ive been off-road a few times, and it performs well. Ive towed a good number of times, usually about 3500 pounds, and it does so without complaint. Its a highly recommended vehicle on my list. It should be noted that we did experience a length list of early- production problems.

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  I love this car. - 2003 Toyota Highlander
  By dtrimner001 - June 28 - 10:00 am

  I have owned this car for over 19 months, and I still look forward to driving it (It is my wifes primary vehicle). I have always owned American cars, and I am very very impressed with the tight fit of everything in the interior, and the curb appeal of this SUV. It has excellent headroom and legroom, 3 adults can sit comfortable in the back seat. Handles like a dream, smooth yet responsive. No, I would not take it off-road much more than I would an ordinary sedan, but it is a solid vehicle all the way around.

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  I like my Toyota - 2003 Toyota Corolla
  By Pat Thetic - June 28 - 10:00 am

  I have had a good 7 months with my Toyota. The only problem I have had is bird droppings on the red paint has left dark spots. I have washed it many times and as of yet have not been able to get rid of the stains.

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  New and improved - 2004 Toyota Sienna
  By happydad - June 28 - 10:00 am

  This is a great vehicle so far. It handles well and is so quite that if the kids are talking I can’t hear the van when it starts. The acceleration and handling are outstanding for a minivan. Speed is maintained up long steep mountain passes. The rear seats are very easy to tumble under. The middle row of seats are easy to remove and carry and effortless to flip forward. Gas mileage is impressive. There are plenty of cup and bottle holders. The only complaints are the mirror to look at the passengers is too far back and the glasses holder is in a weird place.

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  The Red Dream - 2006 Toyota Camry Solara
  By JAC - June 28 - 9:30 am

  This car is truly fun to drive, rides quiet and so smooth. I bought it as a second car, but am having trouble leaving it in the garage. Its design and look attract everyone but when they have a chance to ride in it that sells it that much more...and even though its a convertible it surprisingly quiet with a nice sound system.

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  Sienna wheel bearing woes - 2005 Toyota Sienna
  By B a C - June 28 - 12:33 am

  Owned Sienna for 4+ years now. Only 120,000 kms on vehicle and both front and rear bearings simply worn out. Very expensive to replace, as both bearings and hubs replaced same time. ($ thousands). No help from Toyota to date, but I continue to ask. Tires were an issue, but they did replace under recall. All toyota AWD vans seem to chew the tires off their rims! We had AWD Previa before and same problem with tires. Power window fell off track and over $400.00 to replace. This is an extremely expensive van to buy, and maintain. Paid over 45,000 taxes in, and still forking out thousands to keep it on road after only 4 years. Most parts are only available through dealer.

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  I just got rid of it after 6500 miles - 2007 Toyota Avalon
  By David A - June 28 - 12:33 am

  I bought this car after doing a lot of research and was initially quite happy with it. Over the 15 months that I had it, it was in the shop twice for rattles, and twice to have the oxygen sensor issue fixed, for a total of about 7 or 8 days without the car, most was related to the sensors. It had another annoying rattle in the dash when I got rid of it. These may have all started after I had XM added to the car, but that doesnt make the rattles go away. I traded it in for a non-Toyota vehicle after 6500 miles.