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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  Not so reliable - 1997 Toyota Avalon
  By tom - April 26 - 2:23 pm

  Owned since new. Many disappointing problems. Very expensive considering the number of amenities. 60k - transmssion leaks. <100k, all steering components had to be replaced. Power steering pump had to be replaced twice. Tire wear is a huge problem! This car wears out tires in 20k miles, even top rated tires.

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  08 Yaris - 2008 Toyota Yaris
  By Alan Buttler - April 26 - 6:00 am

  Excellent fuel economy. Have done as well as 42 MPG with 4 adult passengers and a trunk full of luggage. Nice handling. Mostly good visibility.

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  Super loaded Venza 6cyl AWD is awesome, but the AC sucks - 2009 Toyota Venza
  By skyke101 - April 26 - 5:29 am

  I love the way it looks, inside and out. I love the functionality of it. I REALLY love the power of the V6 with AWD, lots of get up and go!! The JBL Synthesis Stereo System is awesome! Gas mileage is pretty good, I probably average about 22, mostly city driving. The one issue I have with the Venza is the AC. It is almost as if they forgot to include a "high" option for the speed of the AC fan. It gets cold, but does not blow very good at all. I checked 5 other Venzas at the dealership, all models are exactly the same, WEAK AC! Even the new 2012 models. The salesman said that it was geared to older consumers that do not like AC blowing in their face. WHAT? $38000 for a weak AC?

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  Great little car - 2001 Toyota Echo
  By LARRY COLLIE - April 25 - 11:26 am

  Its been a pleasure to drive it. ItÂ’s my wifeÂ’s car and she loves it. It may not be top of the line but we have had zero problems with it. It just keeps on going with great gas mileage. She averages about 38 in town 45-50 highway - got as high as 55 mpg on one trip.

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  Nice but has faults - 2012 Toyota Tundra
  By mrvenison - April 25 - 9:00 am

  Overall I have a nice truck and the 4.6 L engine performs quite well. It is a little more thirsty than expected. Mixed suburban and country driving fall a little less than 14 mpg with no off road. Thats short of the 14 city rated. The factory bed liner has large openings around the tie downs for lots of material to fall through to the bed. Also the Bluetooth was a real pain to load the phone book in the truck. It doesnt access the phone book in the phone.

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  I tried to like it, but at the end trade it in for Mazda CX-9 Grand Touring only after 1 year. - 2011 Toyota Highlander
  By convert777 - April 25 - 8:59 am

  Positive: Suppose to have stellar reliability and has a good resale, quick, relatively roomy and comfortable if you are not a driver. Negatives: Most surfaces and materials dont belong in $40,000 car (ok with me) , drives like minivan/truck crossover with very light and not communicative steering (does not drives, but floats), 3 rd row not usable - not just because of size/just plywood covered in cheap vinyl, no blind spot monitoring ( a must because of size, blind spots), no adaptive xenon headlights, average MPG for it size ( computer always overstate by 1 MPG). Toyota keeps being arrogant and substantially raised prices for 2012 without any improvements, that worked in my favor. My last 5 cars were Toyotas. After buying my first Mazda and then a Subaru I discovered that they are build as good or better than Toyota and pleasure to drive. Checked with Consumer reports and others and discovered that it is not only my opinion: Subaru and Mazda are higher rated that Toyota. Replaced 2011 Highlander Limited with 2012 CX-9 GT for only $2000 extra (no financing): pleasure to drive and handing like compact CUV/sedan (yet substantially bigger than Highlander), very usable 3rd row, near luxury interior/exterior, all the extras and safety futures not even available in Highlander, reliability should be terrific also - six year of the model and built in Japan.

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  Was satisfied, but now skeptical - 2010 Toyota Corolla
  By Justine - April 25 - 7:03 am

  I recently bought the 2010 Corolla in July, and I am amazed with the fuel efficiency. I just took my car into the dealership for its first oil change. The dealership informed me that a recalled part had to be replaced in my car. When I drove my car home, I noticed this high pitched noise coming from the left front end. The noise occurs when I accelerate, especially at speeds greater than 60mph. I also notice that it occurs when Im in cruise control. When I took my car back, they couldnt figure out the problem, even after 3 test drives. They initially thought that wind was causing the noise, so they replaced some molding. I still hear the noise.

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  Great truck - 1996 Toyota 4Runner
  By TJ - April 24 - 8:13 pm

  This Truck is great bought new, after looking at a new Explorer (junk) happy we bought Toyota most troublefree vehicle we have ever owned! front seat lower cushions could be a little longer for long trips though! I agree gas tank should be larger, and mpg could be better put brakes on at 60K Tires at 50K regular maint. its a great truck great resale also!

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  Good Family Vehicle - 2008 Toyota Sequoia
  By mwaltjr17 - April 24 - 5:14 pm

  Bought this to replace a Buick Enclave. There is a ton of room in second row, and third row (with second row seats moved forward). I love being able to independently move each seat in the second row. It handles much better than other vehicles its size. We are very happy with this purchase.

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  Great Truck - 1996 Toyota Tacoma
  By B Groover - April 24 - 10:00 am

  I have owned my Tacoma LX 4x4 since 97 and put close to 60K miles on it. I recently had the AC compressor replaced, and that has been the only problem I have had. I have added a brush gaurd, roll bar, custom bumper and 33" wheels, and it really turns heads. A blast to drive both on and off road. I have definitely become a big Toyota Fan!