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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  Practical Prius V - 2013 Toyota Prius v
  By luv4myg35 - November 5 - 12:18 pm

  I bought this wagon for the cargo space, gas mileage, and its a Toyota which holds its value well. The interior cargo space is about the same as a small SUV but with much better gas mileage. I am averaging 38-42, and thats driving at the speed limit. Plenty of head and leg room (Im 59). Voice command can be slow at times, hatch door is heavy to close, a lot of little extras missing for such an expensive car such as (sun visor extensions, rear a/c, remote use for hatch door, only one power adapter plug in the front). Aside from its several flaws, I still love it! Great alternative to the small gas guzzling SUVs! However, if you are looking for a fun and fast car, this is not it.

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  Head Gasket Problems - 1995 Toyota 4Runner
  By booma - October 27 - 10:00 am

  My 4runner has been a sweet/sour experience. I like the look, offroad capability. However it blew a head gasket and toyota refused to replace it saying it was not the right vin #. Most of that years 4runners were recalled but for some reason they determined that mine was not one of them. They know they have a problem and wont own up to it. I will never buy another Toyota vehicle and if you value customer service i suggest you look elswhere to purchase your vehicle.

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  Owned many Toyotas but this is my last! - 2010 Toyota Tacoma
  By jscott418 - October 24 - 4:08 am

  I decided to lease my Toyota and had all kinds of trouble with the dealer. It took 4 months to get plates, they messed up paper work and had to redo. They did not notify me of this. So its not been good. So now for the truck, its a DOG plain and simple. The 4 Cylinder engine has 30 less HP then my wifes RAV 4 which has a smaller 4 Cyl? The 4 speed trans is awful and when its in overdrive which happens way too soon I get a vibration because the RPMs are so low and the engine lugs. Who ever mated this engine with the transmission and programed it does not drive it! I have had trouble with a whine from the trans too but have not been to a dealer yet.

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  The car I will most gladly trade-in - 2006 Toyota Matrix
  By robert - October 22 - 12:46 pm

  Engine noise is predominant especially when revving engine. Steering is easy to handle with more grips on the road. Instrumentation controls stinks.

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  So Close - 2007 Toyota 4Runner
  By 4Runner - October 22 - 3:16 am

  2700 miles and looking forward to trading it in. Good looking basic transportation. Unable to get side curtain airbags, daytime running lights, sunroof, 4x4, 3rd row seats in CA. Told these safety features weren’t necessary. In CO could get side curtain airbags,day time running lights,3rd row seats w/o sunroof. Opted for sunroof, 3rd row only good for midgets. 10 year old Discovery handled better in tight fast paced LA traffic. 4Runner feels unsure and at times throws a few surprises driving at higher speeds. I never know how the vehicle is going to react to various road condition at freeway speeds. This is the first vehicle I’ve had this problem with.

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  A little disappointed - 2014 Toyota Sienna
  By mtc_va - October 22 - 1:25 am

  Replaced a 2009 Oddy. Based on great 1999 Camry experience, expected the Sienna to be better. So far, not so good. The main problem is the speedometer is wrong. It overstates speed 3-5 MPH. Our dealer in Tyson Corner, VA says its normal and Toyota seems to agree. Granted, better than understating speed, but not what I expect of Toyota. Another surprise I didnt notice pre-purchase is that the 2nd row seats dont completely remove from the car. There is a substantial harness that remains above the floor. Wouldnt be able to carry drywall for example without damaging it. Never occurred to me to check after flat floors in past 3 minivans - Honda and Dodges. Buyer beware.

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  Toyota Sequoia - Poor Ergometrics - 2007 Toyota Sequoia
  By dwmclean - October 20 - 4:36 pm

  I am very disappointed in the engineering / design ergometrics of my 2007 Sequoia Limited. The console controls are not lighted (side mirrors, seat heater) and in a poor location because the seat heaters can be turned on by laying an item across the console. No dash indicator light for fog lights. The gas mileage is poor (16 mpg highway and 14 around town). Rear storage compartment wont stay latched. Second seats will stay folded up (must restrain with a tether). I have factory nav system and satellite radio not available. Limited slip differential doesnt lock (engaging TRAC OFF seems to help but that doesnt make sense). I wish I had my Chevy Tahoe back!!

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  Not your parents Toyota - 2003 Toyota Matrix
  By Last Toyota - October 19 - 7:43 pm

  This was our first new car purchase, and given our extensive Toyota experience (5 previous used Toyotas), we were expecting much. The flexibility of a 64/40 fold-flat rear seat with solid plastic cargo liner was outstanding. So too was the fold-forward passenger seats, which extend the size of possible cargo to 8 in length! Unfortunately the other aspects of the car werent panning out so well. To summarize, performance, economy, fit-and-finish, trouble free driving, and fun to drive quotients were just not living up to the claims. After repeated problems with MAP sensors and various parts breaking repeatedly, if fell out of love. Now 7 years old, Ive seen enough of my last Toyota.

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  2012 camry SE - 2012 Toyota Camry
  By bengal16 - October 18 - 1:35 am

  After driving this car for 15 months I have decided to express my opinion. This car is nice to drive, but a little rough riding. The interior is spacious and the trunk is nice and roomy. The four cylinder engine has great power and acceleration but it is hard to achieve the gas mileage that Toyota claims this car will get. The trip information computer can not compare to my GM vehicles which are more user friendly and offer better user information.

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  Technology Sucks - 2016 Toyota Highlander
  By Gary - October 17 - 12:08 pm

  If you are paying for, and expect reliable, navigation, auto hi-beam and voice assist....dont get a Toyota. Google "Toyota navigation and voice-activation problems" and read for yourself. If you get one and expect that Toyota will correct them, dont. Your navigation display will lag your actual current location by considerable distance and the voice-activation will drive you crazy. The response you will get from Toyota is, "normal function". If you have your windshield replaced, even with OEM glass, dont expect your auto-high beams to ever operate normally again. Toyota will tell you after testing, "normal parameters". Poor car when you consider what you are paying. Toyota should deliver what they advertise and charge you for in technology.