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:

• 

  Love Hate Relationship - 2003 Toyota Matrix
  By Hitman & Speedy - November 29 - 10:00 am

  My wife and I love this car as much as we hate it. We love the look of the gauges at night...HATE gauges during the day because they are near impossible to see and forget trying to read the odometer (even with the windows being tinted). We love its sporty looks...HATE the low chin spoiler that scraps on the lowest of curbs, ramps, drifted snow, you name it. We love the transmission...HATE the clutch, which has the operation of a common light switch (i.e., its either on or it off...no give). We love the storage...HATE the cup holders.

• 

  woot woot!!! - 2003 Toyota Camry
  By CHong - November 29 - 10:00 am

  overall its a pretty good car. a problem in the camry was that whenever i accelerated or lowered the speed, there are small jerks. the transmission isnt as smooth as my 1987 Volvo 240 DL. the brake discs grooves were too deep after a month of use, signifying the deteriorating quality of it as you use the car. Star Toyota in NYC stinks!!!!!!!!!!!!!

• 

  Hudson Toyota - 2005 Toyota Camry Solara
  By Gio - November 29 - 8:46 am

  Good quality...nice bang for the bucks...a few bugs...getting a little moisture in car after rain...tire pressure light goes on for no apparent reason

• 

  Awesome - 2010 Toyota Sequoia
  By lexus guy - November 28 - 4:13 pm

  This is my second Toyota SUV, we owned a 2000 landcruiser years ago that was awesome too. We recently came back to Toyota after trading our Lexus GX470 for the Sequoia. The GX was not big enough for kids and strollers etc. The Sequoia is awesome, the towing capacity is fantastic as well. It used to be you had to buy an Escalade or something to be able to tow 10,000 pounds but not anymore, watch out GM! I have a few complaints about the Sequoia. For a $50,000+ vehicle you would expect there would be a front middle parking sensor, why there isnt I have no clue, just side front sensors. I was also surprised there was no personalized settings for the front seats. Overall a great truck.

• 

  Littlre Red Rocket - 2012 Toyota Camry
  By Beave - November 28 - 7:58 am

  Its a good quality, economical 4 door family sedan, if that is what your looking for the Camry fits the bill.

• 

  07 highlander - 2007 Toyota Highlander
  By gmh1013 - November 27 - 11:50 pm

  Bought it to move across country, the only complaint is tires are showing wear very fast. Just rotated at 6k, but should last till 15k or so and replace with BF Goodrich tires. With 4 cyl I get about 24-25 mpg average. Cruised across west Texas at over 80 mph loaded with stuff and still got 24mpg on hwy.

• 

  Car I will Drive for 10 Years or More! - 2007 Toyota Sequoia
  By OOwl - November 27 - 5:46 pm

  After owning a 4Runner for the past 6 years, we needed a bit more room (we travel with show dogs to dog shows and needed the space for crates), we upgraded to the Sequoia. I wanted the 07 version since I like the body style better than the 08s. I love the vehicle but it does ride louder and a bit "rougher" than my 07 4Runner. This vehicle is WAY too big not to have a backup camera, so we are having that added immediately. I also like the a/c and heater controls more than in my 4Runner. LOVE the universal remote to open my garage and dont know how I ever lived without the heated seats! I really overall love this car and expect to still be driving it in 10 years!

• 

  2001 Tundra - 2001 Toyota Tundra
  By paychek - November 27 - 12:43 pm

  Overall Ive been very happy with the performance & quality of this truck. Not happy with the poor gas mileage but I guess it takes fuel to make power. Also it has a vibration at certain speeds (~65mph). Ive had many attempts made at fixing the issue, including alignments, wheel balancing (including lug centric), wheel check, replacement of rotors, shocks & different brands of tires. A set of Michelins seem to make the biggest difference. With all of the work done it still has a vibration from the front end at about 65mph. Add a manifold leak to issues.

• 

  Gas Mileage - 2009 Toyota Sienna
  By gl2238 - November 27 - 3:30 am

  Very distressed at the fuel economy. Driving around Henderson, NV local driving average fuel economy is less than 8/9 mpg. On the freeway at constant speed i.e. 70 mph, fuel economy 14 mpg is the norm. My 1999 Yukon with the 350 gets 18/19 mph hwy. Overall the car is exceptional in ride and quality. Severe power limitations with Toyota battery. Insufficient reserve power to start car after door or other accessory has been on. I routinely have to jump start or charge the battery. I have been back to the dealer twice to check battery drain or if defective batteries.

• 

  Love my Yaris - 2009 Toyota Yaris
  By familyman5746 - November 27 - 1:23 am

  I run a lot of miles, over 30k last year, and love the fuel economy of this thing. With the AC on, I was averaging 42 mpg last summer. During the winter I averaged over 37 mpg. I have more leg room in this car than in my old Ford Taurus in the back seat. You do have a tighter fit in back, but have found that 2 car seats for the kids work perfectly with the pull down armrest. The controls are a bit hard to figure out initially, but now I have a hard time in any other vehicle. The cruise was a bit difficult to find, but now is intuitive. The coupe should have the same storage features that the Hatch does, but that is my only complaint.