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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  Dependable car - 2004 Toyota Highlander
  By rodawgs - June 22 - 1:13 pm

  Overall, I am extremely glad I got this car. It was a little more than what I wanted to spend, but all in all, a good quality vehicle.

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  Life as a Teenager Driving A Camry... - 2006 Toyota Camry
  By O_o - June 22 - 11:20 am

  I might only be 18 but have owned 3 cars my entire life, a 1993 300zx, an 07 Rav4 and my most recent car, an 06 Toyota Camry (all awesome cars in their own right). This car is not the fastest or best looking car Ive owned, but it is the most comfortable and probably the best built car that 2006 had to offer. I have 80,000 miles on my Camry and it is the only car I plan on keeping until it dies (at the rate this car is going by the time it does die my children would have died because of old age). The car drives like how it did when I drove it off the showroom floor. It doesnt rattle or make any noises whatsoever. This car will cruise at 90 very, very happily all day long. =)

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  Despite shortcomings a great value - 2018 Toyota Avalon
  By James rydwr - June 22 - 4:28 am

  No navigation system to speak of, voice commands dont work most of the time, audio system lacks intuitive controls. Acceleration, handling, comfort and climate control all work well despite poor Dash layout. Salesman was reluctant to discuss the cars audio and navigation operation probably because of past complaints and frustrations. In fact its probably no coincidence that they didnt even give me the book on the navigation and audio system

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  So far, so good - 2008 Toyota Matrix
  By satisfied9 - June 21 - 8:51 am

  Driven it for 2 weeks and its OK so far. 1) It has adequate acceleration despite having only a 1.8L engine (no cargo/people). 2) Dashboard gauges OK except reading speed gets a little fuzzy when between 60 & 80 (only in increments of 20) so you may have to glance at it more then once (distracting) if you dont want to go over the limit. 3) Location of transmission stick is too close to climate control knobs especially when in park (no hand room) 4) Daylight running headlights (dashboard light) always on which I found annoying/confusing but getting use to. Considering getting it disabled if I go with better bulbs for night driving. 5) Noisy/feel road when driving - tolerable

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  Glare on glass convering odometer & speedometer - 2016 Toyota Corolla
  By Linda - June 20 - 10:01 pm

  This is a wonderful, beautiful car (once you get past the steer wheel being so busy) except for 2 things. 1st thing is the bluetooth for your phone. The air conditioner vent must be pointed downward and the AC fan turned down to one or 2 notches or whoever you are talking to cannot hear anything but wind as if your window is open. But by far the BIGGEST problem is an engineering defect on the glass covering the odometer and speedometer. Unlike my husbands Camry, there is no hooding on the dashboard that overshadows the glass over the odometer or speedometer, and in certain conditions, even though the window tinting is wonderful. the sun glares on the odometer and speedometer, making them unreadable and there is no digital odometer, so you have no idea what speed you are going & leaning over and trying to see takes your eyes off of the road where you can easily swerve into incoming traffic, etc.

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  2007 Toyota Camry LE 4dr Sedan - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By Carolina - June 19 - 2:50 pm

  Having driven Honda and Nissan for many years, would like to feel the difference of Toyota. Bought brand new Camry two months ago and put 1000 miles on it. It drives quiet and smooth. Since I didnt drive in traffic often, I didnt feel the hesitation in acceleration. However, the brakes are very soft and unresponsive. Ive got to depress brake pedal very hard each time to slow it down. The braking distance driving a Camry is a lot longer than driving Honda and Nissan. Returned it to dealer for check and the answer was "normal". Average local MPG: 25-28

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  34/40 mpg w/automatic - 2005 Toyota Echo
  By madpat - June 19 - 10:00 am

  mgp is great, could use a bit more eng power. good size trunk. get the powerstering,ac,bigger wheels on 2005. get 4 doors. a bit road nosie.when will it be found on road dead? relability and quality still testing and will test good on wash d.c. roads. ok for nothing special car.

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  My new Yaris - 2009 Toyota Yaris
  By Pat - June 18 - 3:56 pm

  I just bought a hatchback Yaris because it was a Toyota and I wanted a small car w/good mileage. I previously owned a VW beetle which I loved but it was getting too costly to own - so I went w/a Toyota mainly because of the reliability of the company. I owned Toyotas in the past and a Honda - I wouldve bought a Honda Fit but it was more expensive than the Yaris

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  Overall a great car - 1999 Toyota Camry
  By robertmang - June 17 - 10:05 pm

  I bought this car back in 06 when I was still in high school, with about 89,000 miles on it. 5 years later and it has 185,000 with no signs of stopping. There have been a couple repairs I have had to do including a costly sensor replacement at the dealership which ran about $1,300. That was back in 09. Then earlier this year, the car wouldnt start and I needed to buy a new air compressor at about $300...All in all a reliable vehicle that has not needed any other major services. The V6 has plenty of power for everyday driving (which here in SW Florida can be both fast-paced and aggravating) and I dont see any reason why this car wont make it to 200k and beyond.

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  Some Things to Consider - 2000 Toyota Tacoma
  By famousface - June 17 - 2:00 am

  Seats got better in 2000 but not great. It handles well and predictible. The factory tires really suck in rain. Ive had some transmission problems (pulsating in 1st gear) but other than that it has been solid. The mileage is about 20. I had a Subaru before this so it is different, but so far I enjoy it.