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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  Nice little car with electrical problems - 2003 Toyota Corolla
  By Ben - June 3 - 8:16 am

  This is a great second car - great gas mileage, sporty looks, and comfortably holds four adults. The only problems I have had have been electrical. Within two months of having the car, the daytime running lights would not turn off. I had to return to the dealership three times to finally have it fixed correctly. About a year after having the car, I noticed that when the lights were on and I hit the automatic door locks, the horn would honk. On one occasion while driving with the lights on, I hit a large bump in the road and the horn started honking one solid sound. I had to pull over and turn off the lights to stop the sound. I love this car, but there are some electrical problems.

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  2004 Matrix Owner is so so - 2004 Toyota Matrix
  By MatrixOwner2 - June 2 - 7:00 pm

  Sporty vehicle that we loved the look of. Great for short trips, errands, and hauling. Mileage good, but there is a paint issue with the hood that Toyota wont own up to (missing layers of paint after 2-years of ownership). Also, I agree the sound system is poor but what do you expect in this price range? Driver seat seems more comfy than passenger for long trips, uncomfortable for passenger. Basically a bit more attention to quality and they will perfect this model (maybe they have already). Bottle water holders in the door would be a great addition to this model. Nix the cheap backseat beverage holders.

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  a toyota for this? - 2004 Toyota Sienna
  By caught up in hype - June 2 - 10:00 am

  Our family bought the Toyota based on their reputation for quality and reliability. Big mistake. We have owned the car for about a year and a half and have had to have the power door replaced( 3 weeks in, and 2 rental cars), the gas tank replaced, along with numerous trim peices, and lots of rattles. The transmission also hesitates a moment between gears(2 other Toyotas Ive driven do this also). The good things: the power, the MPG(25 @80 MPH), the turning radius, and the DEEP cargo well in back. Finally: do your research, and beware of the salesman. We got ripped off at the dealer. PEOPLE BUY TOYOTAS FOR THIS?

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  Looks great, needs 6 speed auto trans - 2010 Toyota Corolla
  By JOHN LINDSEY - June 1 - 3:00 pm

  You cannot get a better deal than I did at Capitol Toyota in San Jose ca 2010 corolla le keyless, 15k plus fees, great dealership, Salesman was great. My dealer in madera did not return my call, had to go out of the madera/ Fresno area, no one in the valley would deal except Capitol Toyota

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  Hit 200,000 miles today - 2001 Toyota Tacoma
  By cst010 - June 1 - 9:10 am

  Hit the 200K mark today. What a great vehicle so far. No major problems to date. Vehicle is well maintained with all scheduled maintenance performed by the dealers.

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  2012 Prius Two - 2012 Toyota Prius
  By Randolph Murdock III - June 1 - 4:00 am

  Good car, very comfortable for someone who is average build and 58". Interior materials are chintzy, but well laid-out. I have had the car a little over six months now, and have had only normal maintenance. The one nagging thing with this car is the right air vent near the passenger door. It refuses to stay locked in place, after having been replaced. I have learned to live with it, as it doesnt pop off, but does not fit flush with the rest of the dash. The Entune stuff is not that useful, as the few apps on my phone are far better. The bluetooth connection with my tracfone is flawless. I love getting an average of 46mpg in winter mixed highway/city driving. The USB and power ports work, but are very oddly placed in the center console and under the hump between the seats in the front. The road noise is acceptable, but a bit on the loud side. I know part of this is due to our not-so-great roads. I am now a bit over a year in owning the car, and still getting ~46mpg average. The right air vent problem I have had is gone now, as a friend of mine found the proper tool to pop it in and out with for the cabin air replacement, and it has stayed in place since. I am not sure why the selling dealer doesnt have the tool. Life has been boring with this car, as there is nothing to do but regular maintenance, and washes... my kind of car!

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  Perfect - 2008 Toyota Yaris
  By ylime3499 - June 1 - 1:56 am

  I recently went car shopping for two cars. My first one was a Nissan Versa hatchback, and the second was the 08 Yaris S type. I got a little carried away with adding things on to it like cruise, a sun roof, tinted windows, etc., and my total came out almost $4,000 more than my brand new Versa. I found that very disheartening, especially since the Versa came stock with cruise and the features I had to add. I was even told that the Yaris S type can not have power doors and locks added on. I find that very hard to believe, but thats what I ended up with. Other than the price being more and the non auto lock/window its perfect for going around town and a little interstate.

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  4 runner 2011 - 2011 Toyota 4Runner
  By yermack - May 31 - 9:47 am

  Ive bought 11 model more than one year ago v6 4L. It feels really big but controls are easy and comfortable. Heating-cooling controls do not work properly-you cannot adjust normal temperature. the gas mpg is pretty good for this monster especially if ECO mode is on. Driving very smooth and slow that annoying in the city traffic.

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  FRAME - 2001 Toyota Sequoia
  By rodrider - May 31 - 5:05 am

  The car is ok but totlaly disapointed with the way the frames rust, my 2001 model has a bad frame rust

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  Safe car - 1997 Toyota Camry
  By rb - May 30 - 5:33 am

  Bought this car new, and had it til yesterday when my teen totaled it at 50 mph flipping it through a guard rail and into the woods. Both kids walked away from this crash with only minor injuries. Seat belts were on. It is clear that while the majority of the car is destroyed, the cabin is mostly intact. Air bags however did not deploy. Reliability was excellent, only problems were engine gasket leaking, and noisy front suspension that never actually had a problem (but sounded like it did). Anyway, we buy only Toyotas, and this model at least lived its life well.