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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  2018 Toyota Camry Brake noise. - 2018 Toyota Camry
  By Alex - October 27 - 9:49 am

  I purchased 2018 Toyota Camry xle a month and a half ago. Overall I like the car. However, Two weeks ago started to have problems with brakes. When the car sits for more than 4 hours in the garage it starts to have brake noise when driving out of garage. Then the noise goes away. After not being driven for a couple of hours it does the same. Went to a dealer twice and was told that this is rust building on the rotors and causing initial brake noise. I was explained that this is because of the material of the rotors. And unless Toyota comes up with a new part, there is no solution. Frankly annoying that the brand new car does this noise!!! Toyota, please fix it asap. Thank you.

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  ...over priced ready for the junkyard relics... - 2006 Toyota Camry
  By Lrau - October 27 - 12:00 am

  ...teen agers dont like the car, consider it an old mans car, they rather ride the bus, and thats exactly what some do... overpriced high mileage old cars...

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  Have problems - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By hdrca - October 24 - 1:03 pm

  Have to replace front axle (good thing it was under warranty - still under 60,000 miles), now I found all 4 strut was leaking, dealer ask more than $1,400 to replace (out of warranty - over 36,000 miles). before I never believe that Toyota has quality issue but since I have this Camry and more problems found, I believe what people said about quality of Toyota is going down.

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  very disappointed - 2006 Toyota Tundra
  By Mike - October 16 - 10:50 am

  I am very disappointed in the inside design of the Toyota Tundra, the power window controls are placed too far back for ease of use. The clock is very low on the dash which makes you take your eyes off of the road to see the time, then you have to look up to see the temp. and direction your are traveling. Toyota should have placed the clock in the radio which would have made it easier to see. The bucket seats are uncomfortable and the center console should of been higher, then no need for armrests. Probably will be my one and only toyota truck.

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  The Rental - 2001 Toyota Echo
  By codenose - October 16 - 10:00 am

  I rented a 2002 Toyota Echo. The interior and trunk were adequate. The car was designed to make the driver focused on the controls. No way could the frail or elderly, a young teenager or the inexperianced handle the steering on this rental. While I was able to compensate for turns while in motion, those from a stop were more difficult. It took brute force to extract myself from a pararell paking position. I drove the car for approximately 30 miles. It would be wise for anyone considering purchasing this car to rent it for a day. The exterior paint had far too many dimples with rust.

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  TERRIBLE to drive!! - 2009 Toyota Yaris
  By Kelly - October 15 - 6:40 pm

  This car has the absolute WORST driveability of any car that I have recently driven. This purchase is a HUGE MISTAKE and I have nothing but REGRETS!!. It DOES NOT GO IN STRAIGHT LINE ON THE HIGHWAY!!!!!! It needs CONSTANT, and I mean CONSTANT, steering corrections to keep it going straight ahead. So your arms get EXTREMELY tired in a very short time (And yes, Ive checked the alignment SEVERAL times). I had a friends 2000 Geo Metro Hatchback for a couple months last year, and that car tracked waaaayy better (and thats a $1000 car for crying out loud!!!!!!!). It is impossible to take this car on anything more than a half hour drive without feeling your arms are going to fall off!!!

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  Too expensive to maintain - 2006 Toyota Sienna
  By Dave in CT - October 14 - 10:00 am

  Had to replace 1st set of runflat tires at 23K miles ($600+). New brake pads and rotors turned at 40K miles. The "alloy" wheels are peeling. Will soon need to replace the second set of runflat tires @ 47K miles. I would put regular tires on it if there was a place for a spare. Not the quality I expected when I purchased it, first Toyota purchased and probably the last.

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  Toyota onslaught of Service Bulletins - 2009 Toyota Matrix
  By matrix1_8l - October 11 - 7:58 pm

  I bought this car originally because I wanted to replace my old hatchback with something reliable and fuel efficient. So I went for the 1.8L up until now I had gotten what I paid for. The issues started when I went hit the 50000 mile mark. Since then I have been to the dealership service center over 5 times for major repairs. All of which are documented in Service Bulletins. The latest issue affects all matrix and corollas with the 1.8L engine and will not be covered after the 60000 mile warranty runs out. They actually have to go in, take apart the engine and replace engine components of the crankshaft assembly. That doesnt seem reliable to me.

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  Disappointed - 2010 Toyota Tacoma
  By Toyotaowner - October 7 - 2:00 am

  I have wanted a Tacoma for years, finally got one and I am sorry for it. The rear bumper has rusted all around the edges. One of the Plastic tie downs broke for no good reason. The engine ticks loudly. The Heater/A.C blower motor screeches, I did have that replaced under warranty.....and now the new one does the same thing! The access door wont open, I will be getting that fixed. The console between the two seats in the back is worthless and takes up a lot of room. The transmission also has trouble gearing down, almost like it is stuck in too high of a gear. Also sometimes I have a hard time getting it to gear down on the hwy while in cruise control. Awful vehicle

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  Help, Im trapped in the Matrix... - 2004 Toyota Matrix
  By Adam Smith - October 4 - 2:00 am

  This was a great little car off the lot. However, with 5000 miles under its belt, the novelty has worn off. First off, Toyota overstated the HP rating of the XRS for 2004 (actually 173hp), and has offered no resolution other than "oops! sorry! have a nice day." I paid a premium for the XRS, did I not? At least get your spec sheet right, or give me a rebate. The revisions to the engine also lower the gas mileage, whee! Im also having numerous interior rattles, the dash is falling apart, and my transmission doesnt want to go into gear. My clutch is also acting up (wont engage right often), and im not an abusive driver.