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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  Dreary, dreary dreary - 2009 Toyota RAV4
  By Honest Abe - November 22 - 4:30 am

  Owned for 6 mo; traded in and GLAD! Stripped appearance inside and out. No rubber cladding to protect lower part of car. Almost all other SUVs have this. Lousy sound system, mpg worse than stated; quirky transmission: car rolled backwards when in drive but going slow. Had to step on both break and gas to keep from going downhill. Service department in constant hissy fit and very unhelpful. Given recalls and safety issues, do not buy this car at any price.

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  Really Disappointed - 2016 Toyota Tacoma
  By Nick A. - November 18 - 12:23 pm

  I sold a 2006 Chevy Tahoe and leased a 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe for a year just to wait for the 2016 Tacoma... BIG MISTAKE!!! My Tacoma has been in the shop 5 times over the last year for an electrical issue (interior lights fuse keeps popping) and now the radio resets a couple of times a week. It is in the shop now again... same problem. Toyota coroporate could not care less... they keep putting new fuses in and a few weeks later it happens again. Corporate sent me a letter back saying in essance - " There is no problem." Gilroy dealership is trying, but cant find the problem even with the help of the manufacturer (supposedly). My other complaints are like the others... transmission changes gears all of the time, gas mileage is not good and I have to duck to get in it and Im 510". The extererior is nice and I do like the controls. Im stuck with it for another year and a half... I hope the 2018 or 2019 is redesigned. If not, than I will NOT buy another Tacoma (sadly- because it is the truck I want). My loaner is a 2017 TRD Tacoma-- no changes from 2016... DISAPPOINTING!!!

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  Shake, Rattle and Curse - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By Kenny - November 12 - 6:00 pm

  After a year of complaining, I dumped the 2007 for a 2000 Camry. The 2000 is a much better vehicle to drive. I dont have whiplash from the tranny changing gears every 5 seconds, nor do I have pieces of cardboard wedged into the dash to stop the rattles.This car was a complete disappointment. I will bet it will go down as one of those years to avoid. How could this car been voted Car of The Year?

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  Uncomfortable!! - 2011 Toyota Camry
  By brownt90 - November 12 - 1:57 am

  Traded my 02 camry xle 4 cylinder for this car in April. Wished I would have stayed with my old car or chose a different model. The car has a good powerful v6 and a decent nav system, but those two things dont make up for the other downfalls of this vehicle. Window switch button fell inside the door, and the car suffered from a roof popping noise that the dealer fixed by stuffing felt around the sunroof. What happened to toyota quaility? To top it off, I have not found a comfortable driving position in this car. I am 63, and the seat bottom does not lower low enough to the floor like my other camry did. Because of this I am suffering leg/heel/foot pain on a daily basis.

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  Good & bad - 2004 Toyota RAV4
  By paperpushette - November 10 - 10:00 am

  I enjoy driving my RAV for the most part. However, I cant rely on the gas gauge, it goes up and down. I have to use the trip meter. Also, it doesnt get the gas milage we were told to look for, which was one of the main reasons we purchased it over other small SUVs. Also, it sometimes revs up to 4 rpms g when going uphill (not a big hill). Ive never had a car that did that. If I had it to do over, I would probably not buy this car.

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  Electrical UNSAFE - 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By nikkifit1 - November 10 - 3:25 am

  I bought my car new from IRA in Tewksbury. It has had electrical issues since the first week that have progressed into safety issues (brakes lock up and cannot stop). It has been in service uncountable times and even corporate engineers cant figure out the problem. I have been lied to in order to be appeased and I was too trusting. Now, they wont buy me out of my car or trade me into something safe. I cannot put my 8 month old son in this car. I picked up my car after the second time they tried to fix after losing brakes and after an hour, i lost them again. IRA nor corporate office are doing whats right. they admit there are other cars but do not recall. Toyota downhill!

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  Very poor reliability - 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By GBouscal - November 8 - 2:40 am

  3050 miles to date and Ive had to return for service every 1000 miles due to the check engine light. There are fuel system problems. Ive spent 8 hours at the service center so far, with my next appointment next week, which will be my 5th visit.

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  2015 Camry LE-Tragically uncomfortable front seats - 2015 Toyota Camry
  By spaderbabe - November 8 - 12:51 am

  I switched to Toyota after 28 years of Honda loyalty because my moms 1997 Camry LE is still running strong. I first bought a 2015 Corolla LE Eco Premium and traded it after 2 months because the ride got so rough after driving it is was unbearable, not to mention a dash rattle and other problems. Traded it in on a 2015 Camry LE. Didnt think too much about seat comfort during the test ride, it seemed OK. I drive 3 to 4 hours a day for work, and after spending some time in the car, my back hurt and I couldnt find any position to make it comfortable. Tried pillows, different cushions, then wound up getting a set of $135 Conformax gel seat cushions (back and seat) with air flow covers and that makes it much better. I went to the dealer and rotated the OEM tires as recommended then at about 16,000 miles the ride was very rough. Wound up replacing them at 18,000 miles with Goodyear Comfortred Assurance tires and that did the trick. I get great gas mileage, love the backup camera and hands free phone and listening to music via the USB port. The bluetooth for music has buffering issues and will speed up and slow down like a record. I talked with the accessory guy at the dealership and the bluetooth buffering is an issue in the Camry. I love the MPG, the highest was around 44 and I regularly get between 35 and 40 MPG so the weight of the car is a trade off. It drives tight and solid and the LE model has the right amount of technology for me. I got the midnight blue and body side molding, so this is the sharpest looking car Ive had. Its a love/hate thing. I think I can make it work, but I would not recommend one if you do any serious amount of driving, because of the horrible seats.

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  Dissatisfied owner - 2001 Toyota Camry
  By Ramsey - November 6 - 2:00 am

  Have had the Camry for a little over 2 years now and heres what has gone wrong!!! Both drivers & passengers window motor went out & had to be replaced. Car has overheated, cigarette lighter & phone charger outlet has has been replaced once already and still does not work! Car was not starting properly for 4 months and dealership was trying to tell me it was normal operating procedure of the car....finally had to replace entire computer for car. Also, plastic lining around bas eor door is ciming off...I WILL NEVER EVER BUY A TOYOTA AGAIN!!!!!

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  11 month Owner Review - 2013 Toyota Prius v
  By myron9 - November 5 - 8:15 pm

  The Prius V poses the following suggestion by Toyota: Reliability being the cardinal feature, you are going to have to make significant compromises, but still pay the big bucks for some kind of a vinyl interior and a paper thin shell, because it is a Toyota and the general consensus is a Prius will still get you there the vast majority of the time without hiccups and do so without the mandatory toll on the pocketbook from exorbitant gas prices. The vehicle gets a poor safety rating from the IIHS, so regardless of whatever merits the Prius V may or may not possess, you might still get there, but without legs or head intact.