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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  A nice small hatchback. - 2009 Toyota Matrix
  By Anthony in Charlotte - August 11 - 8:40 am

  I needed an economical, affordable, and reliable car for around town and to commute to work in. The Matrix fits what I need exactly, its big enough for a child seat in the back seat, has the versatility of a "mini" SUV, is pretty stylish, and is actually fun (enough) to drive every day. The 1.8L with 5 speed wont win any races, but is surprisingly smooth and refined, especially on the highway. I know a lot of reviews on the new Matrix are filled with critics, but I really think its a great little car for what it tries to be. Our other car is a Lexus, and our 3rd Lexus - the Matrix gauges have the same feel of the new IS, really. Give the Matrix a shot, Im glad I didnt buy a Civic.

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  The Rav4 that goes and goes - 2001 Toyota RAV4
  By Sean - August 11 - 2:36 am

  Im an onsite computer tech. I average 225 miles per day in this Rav4, I bought it with 51k on it now has 150k on it only prob Ive ever had was the cat converter. It has been a great car, most reliable car Ive ever owned and in my line of work that means money. Great on gas, great on getting me to the client and home again, and fun to drive.

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  2007 Toyota Tundra - 2007 Toyota Tundra
  By Handier - August 10 - 11:13 am

  Tundra replaced a 1999 Suburban that was my work truck but just had too many reliability issues. The Tundra offered a configuration plus Toyotas reputation for reliability and durability. The Suburban was a great design and even as a work vehicle it was tough but just too many of the components died an early death. The Tundra is roomy, quite, powerful and came with a kicking stereo even though it is not a priority for me as this is a work truck. Ive put about 1100 miles so far and the ride, though choppy on concrete segmented roads, has smoothed out and of course, is much better with a load in the bed.

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  Avalon Ltd. 3.5 Years Later - 2006 Toyota Avalon
  By Steve Coleman - August 8 - 10:53 am

  I have been surprised by this car. Good - Excellent fuel mileage (25 city, 30-31 hwy), comfort, luxury looks and feel. Bad - Intermediate steering shaft problem (outside wrty at 45K mi., transmission jerkiness (fixed by toyo with a reprogramming, $0), $900 repair est. (I declined to fix), check engine lite (50k mi, $1500 repair bill), now the poss. oil line leak repair before failure (repair cost unk.?). Also, watch out for dealers selling Toyota warranties that are not favorably received by other dealer in other states (SE Toyo dealers vs Midwest dealers).

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  Good till the last drop - 2002 Toyota Corolla
  By JJ - August 7 - 5:00 pm

  I purchased the car from the dealership as a certifed used car. Since then only had minimal problems with it. You know stuff like headlamps turning foggy and the Toyota logo on the steering wheel peeling off. Overall this car has been great. The car seemed to stop getting great gas mileage once it hit 100 thousand miles, and the suspension seemed to not handle so well too. But it got to 100 thousand miles before I even noticed anything lagging. Now it has 131 thousand, and I just replaced the spark plugs, the PVC valve, the O2 sensor, the belt, and the front springs and struts. In short it runs like it was new again.

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  Best little darn car ever! - 2004 Toyota Echo
  By curleytink - August 7 - 10:00 am

  A great little car... wonderful on the highway.. perfect in the city.. able to park anywhere with ease... just the best for the price. I love my Echo.. and would like it better if some of the fancy stuff was upgraded.

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  Decided to buy a 2004 Matrix - 2004 Toyota Matrix
  By Goldfish - August 7 - 10:00 am

  An economic ride with lots of head room for tall people, Im impressed. My brother is 65 and large framed - he was comfortable in the back seat. Gas mileage is good so far. The 17" wheels are standard on 05 models and they should have been for 04 too - they definitely increase the handling. Cargo space is deceptively larger than it appears...Great A/C flow to the back seat.

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  Good car, but does have issues. - 2001 Toyota Corolla
  By vasquezkj - August 7 - 10:00 am

  A nice car, nothing outstanding, but still a very worthy buy. As the reviewers mentioned, the Corolla is very reliable car - though I have only owned it for 3 years / 36,000 miles. The car does seem to be put together well; no loose parts or rattling. Some problems: back seat way too small (no leg room), the engine performance isnt great (particularly with the a/c on), and for some reason my car has always had a problem with shifting into reverse. That being said, overall, this is a good car.

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  Transmission Trouble - 2009 Toyota Tacoma
  By DeeQ101 - August 5 - 11:23 am

  Ive had this truck only 6 months and the transmission slips. I thought the other day I was going to be T- Boned because the transmission slipped as I was leaving an intersection. I brought my concerns to the dealer and they took it for a drive. They found the transmission does indeed slip. They contacted the Toyota head office and I have not yet heard anything from them. Are they (Toyota) going to wait until someone is seriously injured or killed before they address this problem. Ive been looking on different postings and I am not the only one with this problem, thousands of others too.

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  170,000 miles and always ready - 1994 Toyota 4Runner
  By DrJeff - August 5 - 10:00 am

  Unbelievably reliable truck. I have put 170,000 hard miles on my 5 speed 4wd 1994 4Runner and it still runs the way it did when I drove it off the lot. Sure there have been a few minor problems along the way, but nothing that would be considered unexpected. The best vehicle I have ever owned by far. Dont think I will ever