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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  Loved it Until... The ENGINE FAILED! - 2003 Toyota Matrix
  By H M - September 15 - 4:06 pm

  I bought the Matrix new and it was the first one I had seen. I have absolutely LOVED this car...UNTIL THE ENGINE FAILED!! I never had one single mechanical problem, did ALL scheduled maintenance, and it ran perfect up to 94K miles. Then within the space of two days, NO WARNING AT ALL - engine problem. Toyota informs me it has sludge in the engine, and from that day on the engine is awful. Car stalls, slugs along, you name it. Completely unreliable now. TOYOTA claims it is MY FAULT, and completely FAILS to acknowledge a longstanding design problem with the engine. Then tells me I have to pay 8-11K to get A NEW ENGINE. Research Toyota Sludge people!!! Never again Toyota...Sorry.

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  Needs Improvement - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By Unhappy_Camry - September 13 - 6:46 pm

  I have my Camry since 3 months and I am already unhappy with it and planning to sell it. I am getting a very low MPG, around 20 Mpg which is making me very unhappy. The acceleration response is pretty bad and I am surprised how Toyota released such a product.

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  Toyota Parts Unavailable Over 8 Weeks - 2004 Toyota Camry
  By Jim Schmidt - September 13 - 10:00 am

  I was in an accident on 7/21/04 and since then I have been waiting for the drivers seat/airbag from Toyota. In the meantime, I am having to pay for a rental car. I called Toyota Customer Service and they promised to look into the matter and call me back. When they didnt call me back, I called them and they told me the same thing the auto-body shop told me.....that the part wouldnt be avail. until 9/13/04. That time frame is simply unacceptable and reflects very poor customer service on Toyotas part.

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  Awesome! - 2001 Toyota Celica
  By celiboy - September 12 - 9:13 pm

  I got this as my first car. Love the styling! Very beautiful car. The styling is great but this car is quite slow. It is not very fast in a straight line at all, but when you get to some corners it really comes alive! This car handles extremely well! For me it makes up in handling for what it lacks in power. Great first car for anyone. Get the manual! Great gas milage. I love this car very much.

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  1996 toyota camry - 1996 Toyota Camry
  By Tam - September 12 - 2:23 am

  Start using 112K mileage, still running 135K w/satisfaction/better to change water pump+timing bult to cross 200K.

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  Minor issues, but I love this car - 2014 Toyota Avalon Hybrid
  By Charles Smith - September 11 - 4:48 pm

  We purchased our Avalon in December, 2013. It is reasonably comfortable for a guy my size (65") and very quiet, especially in windy conditions. I also appreciate the stability in windy conditions. I am a fuel economy guy and try to drive to get the best economy--avoid jack rabbit starts, and keep my speed near the speed limit. On the subject of fuel economy, I am very impressed. The city mpg is a little less than advertised, but for a reason. The hybrid works best when the car is warm. We can drive anywhere in my town in a mile, and on our typical trip to the grocery store the computer will typically indicate 35-36 mpg going. Fifteen minutes later we are back in the car, the engine a little warmer and our mpg will be over 40, only because the engine is a little warmer. The return trip is also slightly uphill. Our highway mpg is most impressive. I have hand calculated as high as 46 with a very strong tail wind. We occasionally make a 300 mile round trip to go shopping in central Wyoming. We typically have a tail wind and the computer registers about 45 on the front end of the trip with a tail wind, and will read 42-43 by the time we return home back into the wind. We have found when we hand calculate mpg the computer most frequently overestimates by about one mpg, although we have been 2-3 miles off on the minus side and plus one or more occasionally. But again, an overall average would be one mile per gallon more on the computer reading than actual hand calculated mileage. On my most recent trip I did not reset my computer when I filled and put about 1000 miles on in a couple days, over one mountain pass and in variable conditions, much of it driving 80 on the interstate (unusual for me), and the computer indicated about 42 for the entire trip. I remain very pleased with the economy of my Avalon. On the negative side, my first trip out of town I drove on I-80 for 150 miles and had my windshield and paint damaged by road sand left over from the previous storm. That was very revealing because I realize the finish is very thin and easily damaged. I am very disappointed with the paint and would expect a better quality paint job using more than just the bare minimum amount of paint to cover it. Would I buy it again? Probably. The paint is almost a deal killer, but I am overjoyed with the hybrid fuel economy.

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  Love my XRS - 2003 Toyota Matrix
  By DPJazzSax - September 11 - 2:55 pm

  I have owned my XRS since new and love this car! It carries an amazing amount of stuff, and handles very well for a fairly tall vehicle. Gas mileage is above average (about 24 city/28 hwy) and repair costs have been very low.

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  Stepside Tundra 4x4 - 2006 Toyota Tundra
  By Truck Man - September 10 - 8:40 pm

  Only two complaints: Toyota does not offer a manual tranny for the V8, and the performance leaves something to be desired. This truck is light years better than the domestics I have had.

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  Great car - 2006 Toyota Avalon
  By Satisfied Owner - September 10 - 8:10 pm

  It is hard to identify my favorite feature on this car. Love the smart key/keyless entry/remote start, the heated seats, the spacious back seating that amazes passengers. The in-town gas mileage is a little low (about 18) compared to 30 freeway. Only problem I have had is a strip that comes loose from the roof top on the passenger side of the car when I go through a car wash. The only service work done has been oil changes. The car runs great. My previous car was a much-enjoyed 1999 Dodge Intrepid. In choosing this car, it was a decision between a similar cost/similar featured Mercedes. No regrets on choosing the Avalon over the Mercedes.

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  Annoying quirks almost worth it - 2005 Toyota Prius
  By urbangranola - September 10 - 7:50 pm

  We bought the Prius to make a statement and vote with our wallets. The car is fine, overall. We average 48-50 mpg with 60% highway 40% city driving. Reviews that criticize mileage dont understand the EPAs tests, nor that Toyota cant advertise real world mpg - just the EPAs results. Our Prius hasnt given us any trouble, and performs surprisingly well when we need horsepower (accelerating onto freeway, getting out of trucks way). The dashboard is cheap and wears quickly, but the gauge display is cool. Keyless entry is a wonderful option with a small child, but the rear window design makes sunshades almost impossible. We understand why its automatic only, but really want a manual.