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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  own it forever - 1994 Toyota Corolla
  By blairinmaine - May 22 - 10:00 am

  great little car good handling (dx) great on gas no major problems yadda yadda yadda

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  Highlander AWD 6cyl - 2002 Toyota Highlander
  By KevinW - May 22 - 10:00 am

  Highly recommended,car like ride and handling. Somewhat small interior. Typical Japanese suspension and seats (both very tight), unlike the plush, cushiony feel of American designed cars and SUVs.

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  corolla - 2003 Toyota Corolla
  By Jing CHAU - May 22 - 10:00 am

  Corolla is a very liable car. It is not powerful but saves a lot gasoline. For people dont mind that this car is not powerful, I recommend this car. I have had a corolla for almost 6 years and I only fixed this car only once (excepting changing oils)for power door lock.

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  Good and Bad - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By Charles - May 20 - 7:16 pm

  The ride is nice and the power on level ground is good. Fit and finish is really good on this car. The bad though: the 5 speed automatic hunts when driving up and down mountains. Its VERY bothersome when the transmission down shifts the second one brakes when going down a mountain. The speed control as well is balky in that the slightest uphill grade causes the transmission to down shift.

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  Goes the Distance - 1994 Toyota Corolla
  By Toyota4eva - May 20 - 2:03 pm

  Bought my 1994 wagon fresh off the 1st production line in Sept 93 (The last yr made in Japan). I dont drive much and keep it garaged so it still looks & runs the same as day 1!!! Havent done anything but regular maintainance- fluid changes, brake pad, battery, tire & wiper blade replacements- Thats it. I only have 50k miles on it so Ill have to give it to someone when I get tired of it because it wont die in my lifetime. I agree with another viewer that the Matrix is not a viable replacement because its trunk is way too small- but its built with the same frame & engine. Im going for the Prius next. Its hatchback trunk is a decent sz & it sure is sexy compared to the Corolla.

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  Gently - 2005 Toyota Sequoia
  By Japon - May 19 - 1:36 pm

  Driver seat armrest is short and uncomfortable. Long trips can be tiring, because the seat is not comfortable enough.

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  2016 RAV4 - 2016 Toyota RAV4
  By Toyota are you thinking? - May 19 - 3:20 am

  We bought a 2016 RAV4 and are really disappointed in the headlights. It does not have auto lights. It does have running lights but the problem is at night the tail lights are not on. Who in Toyota came up with running lights. It is a safety issue and we are very disappointed. At this lievel of a car it should have auto lights. Toyota what are you thinking or are you thinking? Would not buy again.

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  Beware if you go out of town - 2010 Toyota Prius
  By jood - May 17 - 11:03 am

  We went away for l2 days. Car stone dead when we came home. Couldnt even get into the car. Called AAA and they charged it. Drove to local dealership and also called Toyota. Have learned that if you leave the car for more than 10 days you have to go thru an elaborate process to unhook the battery, use the emergency key to get into the vehicle and then get it jump started. Where? at the airport parking lot? Toyota says we should have known this. It is not in the manual. A real drawback. Also seats not comfortable.

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  60k Report - 2004 Toyota 4Runner
  By NHSkier - May 15 - 1:46 pm

  I bought this almost 5 years before entering the Army. I now have 61k on it. Its been across the country four times (packed to the hilt with gear), over Hoosier Pass in a Colorado blizzard twice, offroad in CO and AZ. In that time, the only major repair happened at the 60k mark, a bad emissions sensor - $450. I had to also replace a cracked windshield, but I dont consider that the fault of the automaker. There are some minor cosmetic wear and tear issues. The "chrome" finish on the stick column is wearing off. The cover to the seat clamps (where they meet the floor) fell off. All in all, I would have been hard pressed to find anything else as reliable with the same capabilities.

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  great car! - 2003 Toyota Corolla
  By ciscobob - May 15 - 2:00 am

  Just wanted to comment on 2 issues that I have seen mentioned. Driver visor interfering with rear view mirror. At first I was wondering how Toyota could have overlooked this, but after playing with the mirrors articulated mounting adjustment, you will find that It is very easy to readjust so that it is out of the visors way. Brakes slip when completely stopped. I believe that this is due to the AC cycling on and off. It can be a disconcerting experience as it feels like someone has bumped you from behind. I dont have a solution to this one.