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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  2007 Corolla 1st Impression - 2007 Toyota Corolla
  By Mike C - May 14 - 1:00 pm

  It looks great, bought the white S. Interior room is good. Have 2 young children and they do good in the back seat. My first mileage was 41.6 mpg with the automatic driving very easy on the highway in break-in. Except when the Escaldes try to run up your tail pipe at 65 mph. I drive 100 miles per day so will enjoy the MPG. Some people complained about the steering wheel being too far away, however it suits me fine as I drag my knuckles when I walk anyway. This is my 2nd Toyota, my first was 83 pickup which I got over 250,000 miles on b4 I sold it after 15 years.

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  What a Truck - 1994 Toyota 4Runner
  By Johnny Whoha - May 13 - 10:00 am

  I have towed a 3500 lb camper for the last 4 years with no problems or even concerns. The vehicle is underpowered but with exhaust and intake modifications I have made it more than acceptable. This vehicle has had not 1 issue other than replacing a rear window motor. My biggest expense has been tires, I am more than impressed.

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  02 Camry....not too thrilling - 2002 Toyota Camry
  By Goob - May 13 - 10:00 am

  We purchased the 02 Camry to replace the 96 which started to have problems and was getting older. We typically keep our cars until around 100k. I always go with a used car off a lease as we save big $$. We loved the 96 and it drove so nice and smooth, it was no thought to look at another make as my wife really liked it. The quality of the 02 is no way as good as the 96. The materials on the inside are cheap feeling and already show wear after 25k miles of use. We take very good care of our cars so it is not from abuse. the brakes are AWFUL. Toyota shoule be ashamed of itself.

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  Just OK - 2009 Toyota Tacoma
  By Just OK - May 13 - 3:56 am

  Because of the financial issues of the big three and the historical reliability success of the Toyotas, I decided to purchase the 2009 TRD Taco. Although the truck seems to perform fairly well, the transmission issues are really annoying. Whats even more annoying is that Toyota claims that this is not a problem and is that it is performing as designed. Although the truck has some great features, it also has some flaws. I am now concerned with the overall reliability and wish I would have purchased a Ford. Having said that, I am pleased that it can tow a trailer with four motorcycles and carry four adults rather effortlessly in the mountains of Colorado.

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  Great car - 2003 Toyota RAV4
  By beanbear1 - May 12 - 10:40 pm

  I have had this car since 2003...it is manual shift though. It is peppy and I can fit both my kids in it and all of our junk. It is reliable and I have no concerns whatsoever. The only issue I have had is had to replace the breaks. Love the car so much that we looked this year to replace our mini-van with something more efficient and considered another RAV-4 (ended up going with the corolla after really thinking do we need two mini-SUVs????)

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  Bought it for safety devices - 2017 Toyota Highlander
  By Jim Yuhas - May 12 - 7:56 pm

  Im 74 and can use a little help driving. I like the lane departure warning and blind spot warming. I havent need the forward collision warning but Im glad it is there if I dont notice someone has slowed ahead of me. In other brands I could only get these features in upper trim levels at much higher costs. Other brands were as much as $10,000 higher to get all the new safety features.

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  Converted Ford Driver - 2009 Toyota Tacoma
  By Butter - May 12 - 5:46 am

  Had to trade in my 01 F-150 for better gas-mileage. So far, the Tacoma is impressing me. Its not as tough of a truck as Im used to (No TRD pkg.), but the double-cab has great passenger room for a compact and the composite bed is big enough for the things I need. Got the bed-extender just in case it was too short. The 6-speed is MUCH easier to shift than the Ford. Only had it a week, but I havent had to pull into a gas station yet!

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  Commuting Pleasure - 2005 Toyota Prius
  By Alys1 - May 12 - 3:23 am

  Great fun to drive, much better handling than expected. Have to keep an eye on the speedometer - easy to drive at high speeds without noticing. Fuel economy has been better than anticipated started out at 42 mi/gal, now getting mid 50s on a regular basis. I sent $30 on gas last month - with a 40 mile round trip commute in stop and go traffic. I am very happy with the car overall, it is roomy and comfortable with lots of cargo space.

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  Pass on this car - 2005 Toyota Avalon
  By Unhappy Camper - May 11 - 6:03 pm

  Not what I expected from Toyota! Frequent visits to the dealer for a variety of repairs including replacement of the intermediate steering column, repair of a faulty air bag system (which by the way involves disassembly of basically the entire interior), oil leak, and replacement of driver side leather seat for premature cracking wear. If thats not enough, its back in the shop once again because the faulty air bag light has come back on. I can not believe this is a Toyota. Had previously owned a Previa van that was extremely reliable. Would not recommend this car to anyone.

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  Big and Powerful Truck - 2008 Toyota Tundra
  By Big and Powerful - May 10 - 10:43 pm

  Biggest truck driven so far. Sometime it felt like driving a school bus because its so big inside and outside. Love the Big V8 and Big brake. Truck is very quiet and firm on the roads. The only thing I dont about this truck is that it uses too much gas. Getting around 14-18MPG on mix driving. Got to trade it in for Tacoma or 2nd home equity loan soon because getting expensive to fill up the gas tank. I dont understand how millions of people can afford to drive any Big V8 everyday because I cant...