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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  The good & Bad - 2004 Toyota Sienna
  By Mini-Van Guy - December 13 - 10:00 am

  Drove Quest, Odyssey, T&C, Pilot, MDX and Pacifica before waiting 2 mths and paying sticker for Sienna. Purchased for design and available safety package #12. The flexibility is great with children and the visability promotes safe driving. Love vehicle but dissapointed in initial quality. Four visits to dealer for loose belts, mounts, plastic rattles, speakers vibrate and most recently a thumping from front end.

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  A great starter vehicle for anyone. - 2006 Toyota Tacoma
  By kevinc416 - December 13 - 12:36 am

  The handling and performance that this truck offers is great. I have never owned a 4 cylinder vehicle in my life, all I ever owned was v6 and v8. when I drove it I could have sworn it was a v6. Gets approx. 25-27 miles to the gallon, now a days thats just what a buyer is looking for.

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  One fine car - 2002 Toyota Camry
  By danrieke - December 10 - 10:36 am

  Ive got almost 92,000 miles on my 2002 Camry LE. I purchased it used with around 38,000 miles. This was a good decision! I like the crisp power in entering traffic and passing on the freeway. Fuel economy is very good. I get about 31 mpg when pushing 80 on the freeways. It doesnt move around much on windy days. Brakes feel a bit spongy compared to some cars but the vehicle stops very well and with the anti-lock brakes I can get on it hard and it stops true! I change oils (transmission oil, too) and filters. If you want to keep a strong flow from the fan (heating or cooling), it helps to change the filter directly in back of the glove box. Will this car go 250,000 miles? I may find out!

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  Yota - 1997 Toyota Tacoma
  By ryan lock - December 10 - 2:00 am

  Very reliable, if maintained properly

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  2007 rav 4 v6 sport fully loaded - 2007 Toyota RAV4
  By dante_sparda - December 9 - 6:00 am

  Brought a 2007 rav4 used few years back.i live on a hill so first thing i replaced the brakes and tires and brought some good yokohomas from tire rack and felt the difference in handling the factory tires are horrible. you get about 19 to 20 miles city + highway. the ride is still stiff you do feel bumps. only thing i have done on the car is change tires,brakes , oil filter, air filter and cabin filter for the last years other wise no major issue..A.c does give out some stench even after getting serviced and cleaned.. going for a Subaru forester after reading some reviews..

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  Run Flats - 2004 Toyota Sienna
  By Tom - December 9 - 3:40 am

  Run Flat tires come standard on this vehicle. Unfortunately this is the worst type of option that toyota could put on this type vehicle. I already have changed the tires twice. I am on my third set of tires. Toyota is aware of the problem but apparently continues to retrofit even the current 2007-07 models with the run flat tires. The sienna awd xle can be equiped with conventional tires and a spare tire conversion kit but if the consumer opts for this it is at his expense and he loses the ability to fold down the third row seat.

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  2005 Avalon is reliability plus - 2005 Toyota Avalon
  By rogermot - December 8 - 10:40 pm

  I have owned this car for over two years and have 38,000 miles plus on it. Other than the front window shade holder falling out and being replaced, there have been no other maintenance problems. This is the first car that I have ever owned that has been maintenance free. Reliability has been outstanding!

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  Average - 2008 Toyota Camry
  By E.Crawley - December 8 - 10:43 am

  My experience driving my new SE Toyota has been good and bad. However until a couple of months ago every thing was o.k. While driving my car I found it to be smooth and controllable. However I did not like that shaking in the car when I stopped the vehicle.

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  Solid vehicle, minor flaws - 2007 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
  By Greg - December 8 - 9:23 am

  After driving a full-size pickup for 8 years, this was a big change for me. Overall, the Highlander is comfortable and roomy; Toyota has a great reputation for durability, and I havent had any complaints about performance or reliability. My complaints (so far) are these: in reverse, only the electric motors run the vehicle, no matter how far you push the accelerator. Not necessarily Toyotas brightest idea. There are no always-on 12v power outlets. Not surprising, but still occaisonally inconvenient. The oil filter is darn near impossible to take off by hand, unless youre left-handed. I have to use a filter wrench. There is no driver override on the AWD system - the car decides for you.

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  2001 RAV4 - 2001 Toyota RAV4
  By Jack T. Sauerland - December 7 - 2:16 pm

  Great little car. I enjoy driving it and it is easy to enter and exit. Good power and acceleration while getting good gas mileage (about 21.5 mpg).