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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  Very unhappy Venza owner :( - 2011 Toyota Venza
  By johanessenq - May 20 - 5:52 am

  Took delivery of our brand new Venza Sept 2010. We now have 56,000 miles on this vehicle. The vehicle has required a multitude of repairs both major and minor, it rides poorly, gets lousy fuel mileage, and as generally not a vehicle of very high quality. Had to have the transmission replaced this past winter because it was slipping, I could go on and on describing visits to the dealer for all kinds of electrical issues such as check engine lights, vsc codes, nav/radio unit malfunctions, and sunroof troubles. The ride is very bouncy and not noticeable during the first leg of ownership. We average just 16.5 mpg mostly highway driving, we have a 2010 Full size GM yukon V8 that gets 19mpg!

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  Very disappointing quality - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By vizyo - May 13 - 4:50 am

  I wish I could say good things about my camry. A lot of defects that I still do not understand how my car passed the quality inspection when it was manufactured. - Trunk was not closing. It was touching the bumper. It also peeled off the paint. Toyota Dealer put touch- ups on the bumper when my car was only 3 weeks old. It is ridicules. - Heater fan was not turning off. It was running on all the time driving me crazy. - Glove box was defective and not closing well. They took almost the whole dashboard down to fix it in the service but still not okay. - Paint on the bumpers is just cosmetic with very little layer. Little flies have chipped the paint of the front bumper everywhere.

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  Very poor Audio/Speakers & Leather seats - 2015 Toyota Camry
  By Saliman - May 8 - 5:36 pm

  Absolutely hate the audio system on this 2016 XSE camry! Took it to the dealer today just to check it out, but they found out that its functioning normally. Theres not pure/rich sound, its very basic, and when the volume is up, its pretty much loud noise! I drove a 2014 rental camry and it had an amazing stereo system, but the sound on this 2016 isnt even close to it, not sure why that is! The leather seats are not comfortable at all, I keep adjusting the seat every time I get in the car, ...made in the USA by a buch of rednecks, what can I say!

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  rav transmissions - 2003 Toyota RAV4
  By E hastings - April 29 - 4:22 pm

  Do not buy the suv.I have 117k on mine So far repairs have killed me .Very evpensive things .Differential went out.Transmission computor.o2 sensors.

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  What Is Up? - 2008 Toyota Avalon
  By JD - April 19 - 1:56 pm

  I have had this car for 15 months. It is my first and last Toyota. I have been driving a Cadillac for a few years and tried something different. It is different allright but not good. In snow and ice this thing is dangerous. My FWD Caddy with traction and stabilitrack was great. This Toyota is a white knuckler,it must not snow in Japan! The seats in this car are a joke! I cannot get comfortable no matter how I adjust- I think they are too short. The GPS is so hard to use that I dont try anymore. I had it in my old car it was EZ. I like to take care of my cars and the paint on this car is junk. You cannot get a blk. car to shine? The dash rattles, my sunroof rattles and it drives me crazy.

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  2013 toyota rav4 breakdown along highway - 2013 Toyota RAV4
  By nana35 - April 5 - 3:09 am

  bought new on 4/22...with only 500 miles on the odometer,car quit running while i was driving down the highway...felt like engine was revving up but car was not shifting into higher gear properly..freaked me out! had it towed to dealership and am waiting on a diagnosis...i am bitterly disappointed and wish i had bought a ford escape....NOTHING should go wrong with a vehicle that has only been driven 500 miles! now im stuck with a car that i will NEVER feel secure in.

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  Your clothes will get dirty - 2016 Toyota RAV4
  By Bob R. - March 31 - 1:23 pm

  The front doors dont seal properly hence theres always dirt, mud, or grime that builds ups along the bottom edge of both front doors. This continual dirt of course gets on your clothes whenever you get in or out. After working extensively with Toyota (learned this is a common design flaw with other Toyotas to), they offered NO solution. Anyone who spends good money on their wardrobe should take heed and look for something else to drive, unless they dont care about their clothes. Because of this terribly annoying design flaw, weve only put 1,700 on it after owning it six months. Its not the car keys we grab first. Instead its only a car for when my spouse is using our other vehicle that happens to be a 1999 Dodge van. To think I wasted this much money on a car we hate to drive is the ultimate in buyers remorse.

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  Unreliable, poor quality - 2003 Toyota Matrix
  By jamesimcb - March 29 - 5:03 pm

  I raved about this car when i first got it. But after a transmission failure at 130,000 kms I am very disappointed. Fuel economy has gone down ever since. many rattles in the car. failed caliper. toyota cost over 800 dollars. The premium you pay for a toyota is no longer worth it. Buy north american and save some money as Toyotas quality has gone down hill!

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  Toyota is resting on its reputation. - 2005 Toyota Matrix
  By Chris - March 26 - 9:10 am

  Very disappointed in this vehicle. We bought Toyota because of legendary reliability, but have lost 2 hubcaps due to cracking and the interior has fallen apart. Excessive road noise, uncomfortable seating position, and lousy ride and fuel mileage has made this the last Toyota we will ever buy. Also, this car made for idiots will not let you turn off the lights.

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  Front seats are a pain in the you know what! - 2014 Toyota Camry
  By Boring Dad - March 24 - 12:19 am

  I have owned this SE since June 2014. Mostly used for commuting to work and weekend duties (two HS athletes to follow). On a few occasions I have driven the car to the Carolina coast (from Ohio). The main issue I have with the car is the horribly uncomfortable front seats. I cant drive in the car more than two hours without needing to stop and stretch. I never experienced sciatic pain until I owned this car. I think its a combination of the low seat position and the thickness of the seating materials. Toyota probably had to thin the lower seat to accommodate the power seat mechanicals. Another issue is if I adjust the seat upward to achieve a more comfortable seating position, I bump my head getting in and out of the car. Im not very tall (510") but this has been an issue as well. I suggest renting this car for a weekend if you are planning on buying one. A 10-15 minute test drive with the salesman doesnt reflect the true character of this car.