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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  Nothing can touch it for the money - 1999 Toyota Camry Solara
  By Superlara - October 9 - 9:36 pm

  I purchased my Solara about five years ago when it had 74,000 miles on it. The timing belt/water pump had just been replaced. Since then I have put an additional 70,000 mile on it and have only changed the oil and filter, the front struts and strut bearings, and one set of tires. Brakes have over 70K on them and are still not totally worn out. This cars continues to amaze me with the build quality. I have owned 6 Hondas and 4 other Toyotas and this car is the best by far. Since it is coming up on ten years old, I want to replace it, but cannot justify that when the car runs as well as it does. Averages about 20mpg in the city and 25-27 on the highway.

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  Better Than Expected - 2011 Toyota Sienna
  By bigcapusta - October 8 - 4:33 pm

  I loved my 2001 Chrysler T&C for comfort and enjoyment of driving. Unfortunately, after 100k miles, the transmission started faltering. I test drove the Toyota, Honda and Chrysler and the Sienna seemed like the right choice. I have been pleasantly surprised that it is a lot more comfortable and handles well on both the highway and in urban areas than I expected and have no complaints there. The gear shift lever is rather jerky in movement. Be careful on basic features. Some things that arent listed as available options at the Toyota site for the model (ie floor mats, undercoating, towing)do not come with the car. You may have to add up to $1000 to the MSRP. Its not my T&C.

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  Overall Quality. - 2007 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
  By JB - October 8 - 9:40 am

  This was our first Toyota. This is a great SUV. Nice lines. It is solid and well built. Has nice fit and finish, but the dash lights and radio are not all the same color backlighting. Should be uniform. Increased hybrid price was not worth it. I liked being green, but the extra cost was not worth it. Back seat needs separate AC controls, Aft is hot in the summer. Cup holders needed to be better designed. Third seat is pretty tight, but this is not a big truck, so you get what you pay for. We tow a double jet ski trailer and it does a great job. No lag or drag.

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  Awesome Vehicle, great family fun - 2006 Toyota Sienna
  By Irobbig - October 7 - 1:53 pm

  I had a 98 ford Windstar and man did I have a great surprise! This car is awesome, versatile and capable. The stereo is excellent, ride is like a car and best of all, I paid less for the Sienna than what I paid in 1998! Bought it before the summer vacation, put on a hitch and airbags in the suspension. Towed small trailer for 2000 miles to date and it works great, 6 adults, no problem, lots of gear, no problem. This is the most silent car Ive driven so far, beats the euro cars hands down. My only complaint is that I could not get the electric 8 way chair and I am 64" so the driving position is OK, not great, but that is the only thing I can complain about!

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  Surprised by quality issues - 2011 Toyota Tacoma
  By tdahl79 - October 7 - 7:02 am

  My husband has a special place in his heart for the Toyota Tacoma, always has. We bought him his 2nd one, brand new only not long ago and now it has 7,000 mi. on it. It just started making an odd sound. We took in into the shop and were told that since the computer wasnt showing a code, they couldnt do anything. So, my husband looked at it at home and found that the fan shroud was rubbing. We it back up there & they decided this time they would actually look at it. They took it apart and found that the fan shroud was being affected by the radiator that was warped! Next, they found that all that was caused by a broken motor mount bolt. Week in the shop! We are not hard on vehicles.

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  Cheap, reliable car - 2001 Toyota Corolla
  By jjc839 - October 7 - 3:25 am

  Bought used, now has 240,000km. Still has the original brakes, not a spot of rust anywhere (Canadian car) and in the winter it gets cold started twice a day every day as this is a commuter car. Havent had a single problem with it. A little underpowered but hey its an economy car. Fuel consumption is 6l/100km in the summer and about 8l/100km in the winter.

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  Zippy economy-feel car w/cool technology - 2007 Toyota Prius
  By MoFrog - October 6 - 6:43 pm

  The Touring model has good handling (little body lean on turns) and is fun to drive. However, it rides much like an economy car (a bit road noisy and you can definitely feel bumps, RR tracks, etc.) Some interior materials feel cheap esp. fabric and plastic dash/doors. However, there is a lot of cool technology way ahead of the average car. It gets very good mileage, avg. 44, best 50.1. We drive 400 miles on a tank and all fill-ups have been UNDER $30 even w/CA gas prices up to $3.29 gal - ouch!. It also has very good power for small HP engine. Goes up highway hills with no problem, but works hard going up lower speed mountain roads. Next time would buy Touring model w/o any pkg.

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  Great SUV 4WD for the $$$ - 2002 Toyota 4Runner
  By Samp - October 6 - 10:00 am

  I bought this 4WD SR5 Used as a Certified vehicle with the original waranty. Best way to buy a car I think. Threre is a service notice for the weather striping around the doors and they take care of it for free. Other than that the car drives great. Lots of room comfortable ride for a truck and good stability on the road. The truck is built with good quality and is a great SUV for the money. If you want a cadillac ride in a SUV go to a Navigator but if you want all around great perfomance and quality this is the SUV of choice... No wonder why you see so many on the road.

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  great truck - 2003 Toyota Tacoma
  By 2k3tacoma - October 6 - 10:00 am

  Truck is awesome. I had a sonoma before this, and believe me, the reliability on toyotas and performance is much better. Took truck on a 3k miles road trip and ran perfect the whole way. Bucket seats provide much comfort. Overall great truck

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  I love my Matrix - 2005 Toyota Matrix
  By Brad - October 5 - 11:53 am

  I traded my IS300 Lexus for the Matrix XR. The car is great! It has virtually all the options as the Lexus, save a few. It handles well, and for my purposes has excellent excelleration. You will love the cargo space..it is the most versatile car I have owned. Quality-wise it is on a par with past Lexus and Mercedes I have owned. Bravo! You will not be disappointed and the gas mileage is very good. I get 26++.