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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  Avalon No More - 2014 Toyota Avalon
  By healthylady - April 11 - 9:59 am

  This Avalon has a terrible design flaw. The interior chrome trim around the controls, air conditioner vents, and doors cause a blinding glare when driving in the sunlight. I have had many Toyota vehicle and have always been very pleased until now. I have written and called Toyota, called and written AutoNation and offered solutions but have not been offered any solutions from these companies. Before you purchase search the internet for Avalon glare problem! I wish that I knew before I purchased.

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  Test Drove for 24 Hours - 2016 Toyota Tacoma
  By chris - April 2 - 10:03 pm

  For all who gave positive reviews, you probably didnt own other tacomas to compare it to. It is very underpowered. The tranny shifts too many times trying to find a comfortable gear. The truck looks nice but thats about it. I drove the truck for 24 hours and I believe had I had a 5 minute test drive around the block Id probably wouldve bought one. I also test drove a 2015 Tacoma and it felt more powerful. I think Toyota will make changes to the 2018 model because there are too many complaints about the same issues.

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  First and last Toyota-skip Toyota - 2010 Toyota Camry
  By busbz - March 23 - 2:00 am

  Several weeks after leasing this Toyota Camry all of Toyotas concealed defects, recalls surfaced in the press etc. This Camry has spent more time in the dealers shop during the first year than any new or used vehicle I have ever purchased or leased. I personally have no confidence in Toyota, Santa Monica Toyota or the Toyota Camry. As such, I didnt sell my 2003 car, use it more than the Toyota Camry. As I approach the end of the first year of the lease the mileage is approximately 10,000 miles less than I anticipated driving. I had purchased additional miles upfront. This is the first and last Toyota I have leased or purchased and personally would not recommend Toyota or its products.

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  Toyota Minivan - 2004 Toyota Sienna
  By David Thomas - March 19 - 2:00 am

  The ride isnt as nice as my last vehicle, but the design has improved. Not sure if this is a good trade off, but I purchased the vehicle, so Im stuck with it.

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  BAD MISTAKE - 2004 Toyota Sienna
  By J MORRIS - March 19 - 2:00 am

  I HAD THIS CAR FOR FOUR WEEKS AND GOT RID OF IT. FRONT SEATS WERE EXTREMLY UNCOMFORTABLE. HARD TO SEE OUT OF THE CAR. TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AT FOUR WEEKS SO I SOLD IT AND GOT AN ODDESSY. DONT BUY THE FIRST YEAR MODEL OF ANY NEWLY DESIGNED CAR.

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  Do not buy - 2011 Toyota Corolla
  By betsey2 - March 8 - 8:30 am

  Bought the car new and within months the radio wouldnt work w/ rear defroster on. They had to replace the radio and install new rear windshield. Two years later- same problem only not under warranty!!! $100 just to look at it when obviously the windshields are defective!!!!

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  Constant Mechanical Problems - 2005 Toyota Highlander
  By Fredg - March 3 - 10:00 am

  I have had this vehicle in the shop around 6 times for engine check light for mis-fires and losing coolant. It also has a pecking noise in the engine which mechanics cannot seem to hear.

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  RAV4 I$ A LEMON!! - 2006 Toyota RAV4
  By RAV4 I$ A LEMON!! - March 1 - 9:13 am

  I commute from the SF Bay Area to Sacramento,70 miles each way. The stretch of freeway is rough & you feel every bump in the road. The seats are stiff and not enough thigh support. I had to get the brakes replaced at 40k with almost all freeway driving, not stop & go. The car sometimes doesnt start immediately (since purchase) and what I hate most is you cant get the key out of the ignition without moving the gear shift in park back & forth. The dealer says NOTHING WRONG... It had a major oil leak (covered w/power train) air noise from windshield, and rear door. rattles if not on a completely smooth surface. Needs torque & power to rear wheels in turns, & quick acceleration r feels unstable

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  Nightmare - 2007 Toyota Avalon
  By Jacks review - February 28 - 10:06 pm

  Rated it very low. Handles badly (follows ruts in highway and drifts around on highway). Headliner not attached in rear. Paint so soft the wind scratches, it seems. Electrical switches work sporadically. There is an undiagnosed rattle on the passenger side in the front. Makes you wonder if you take a trip, if you will get there or not. Reliability is scary.

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  Nothing but trouble - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By NeverAgain - February 3 - 5:10 am

  Clutch blew out on the highway at 50,000 miles. Toyota dealer refused to honor "powertrain" warranty. Brakes wore out far too early. Security system is a major pain. Now, battery died at 55,000 miles. Car is a maintenance nightmare - everything is too expensive to fix. Would never buy another Toyota!