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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  Rides like a truck. poor engineered struts. - 2014 Toyota Avalon
  By gordon grier - October 17 - 1:36 am

  I had a 2005 toytoa avalon that had a very comfortable ride. This 2014 Toyota Avalon rides like a truck. Poor engineering . Toyota fixed the poor ride problem on their 2016 Avalon models. So on 06/01/16 , I bought new front 2016 Avalon coil Springs part #48131-07120 , #48132-07030 & new front 2016 Avalon shock absorbers part #48520- 8z156 , #48510- 8z299 for my 2014 Avalon. After installing them on my 2014 Avalon , I am now very happy with the improvment in the ride quality. The cost for the springs & shocks was around $400.00. All 2016 shocks & springs fit on 2014 with no problem. The very uncomfortable ride was driving me nuts. This change was a lot cheaper than buying a new car with a more comfortable ride. Hope this helps others with the same problem I had .

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  Shaking & very poor gas mileage - 2005 Toyota Sienna
  By Cindy - October 15 - 8:46 pm

  I drove it brand new off the lot, just to take it back the next day. The AWD has serious vibrations at 30-38 MPH & in general doesnt ride smooth. The dealership says this is "Normal." It shakes bad enough that the dvd screen rattles at highway speeds (lots of squeaking too). I drive 70 miles a day to work - long distant driving. After 2000 miles the electronic gauge says I get 16.4 miles per gallon. It advertises 19-24. My husbands GMC Yukon XL gets 17 mp gallon. The van is beautiful, but functionally doesnt live up to Toyotas hype. Dont buy it. One more thing - there is no place for a spare. AWD models comes with very expensive run flat tires. you cant change to regular tires

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  Toyota RAV4 from hell - 2006 Toyota RAV4
  By pabach - October 14 - 8:08 am

  The car has ample power and plenty of space inside. Thats the short list of pluses. On the negative side, the car has been a godsend to the Toyota Manassas shop where we purchased the it. Over 76,000 miles weve had to replace all six cylinder ignition coils, the water pump and, just last week, the transmission, a $4,200 repair (luckily covered by our Geico insurance). Then, as we were driving the car away from the shop, we hear a grinding noise on mild turns, a $600 repair to change one of the wheel bearings. Toyotas were supposed to be reliable. Ours was not. Only a Russian Jeep Niva I used to own in the 90s was worse (dont ask). But at least that car was cheap to fix.

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  Done with Toyota Never Again!!!! - 2008 Toyota Camry
  By Susan Polillo - October 14 - 5:58 am

  My 2008 Camry was purchased with 9K in Sept of that year. I keep up with usual maintenance It just turned 88K and unfortunately have had 3 sets of tires(including original), numerous wheel alignments...to which they say accord to specs its fine but every time I drive off lot it pulls to the left or right?!..... constant vibration with steering..... to which always Toyota or other mechanics say its fine!?!? Horrible at acceleration from starting off and switching lanes! Since summer of 2014, repairs/replacements on the following....2 front wheel bearing hubs shot, right driver cv axle, power steering line, trans leak at drive shaft, was burning oil(Toyota fix through semi recall) and was just informed my front trans mount needs replacement!!! Oh and the sunroof casing squeaks like crazy!!! Plus the paint is the worst on this car!!!!!! I am beyond fet up!!!!! The only positive thing about this car is the body style and gas mileage.

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  Have I bought a lemon? - 2009 Toyota Corolla
  By 2009 "Lemon" - October 10 - 9:13 pm

  We purchased a 2009 Toyota Corolla LE May 31, 2008. At about 2000 miles the VSC Light came on flashing. Took it back to dealer and they could not find anything wrong. The light came back on and it started to spit and sputter and die for no reason around 3000 miles. Took it back to dealer and they replaced the Mass Air Flow Sensor and cleared the codes again. Was driving it again and slowed down to turn a corner and it died for no reason. It currently has 4500 miles on it and the dealer has had it for a week. They called and said they are ordering a new wiring harness which is supposed to fix the problem. Im now wondering what will be next.

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  no spare tire what were you guys thinking - 2016 Toyota Prius
  By upset - October 8 - 10:51 am

  2016 NO SPARE TIRE - we liked our 2007 so we traded up to a 2016 without looking in the trunk - ridicules toyota - YOU SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF YOURSELF LET ME SEE ONE OF YOUR EXECUTIVES WAIT 2-3+ HOURS ON THE ROADSIDE WAITING FOR ROADSIDE SERVICE !!!! or better let me see you leave your wife and children stranded in a bad district for 2-3 hours But of course we live in a perfect world and somebody would be there in minutes right! My wife got a flat because of construction 3 times good thing we had a spare!!!!!

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  Squeaks and Rattles abound! - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By Terri - October 8 - 8:00 am

  I bought this car used with only 28000 miles on it, and I think I know why now that I have had it for a few months. Here is my normal day spent driving: Squeak, rattle, rattle, squeak, buzz, squeak, buzz, buzz, buzz, rattle.

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  Toyota Quality is Lacking - 2012 Toyota Camry
  By dwdesil - October 8 - 6:55 am

  Have been a loyal Toyota driver for 25 years and the 2012 Camry is by far the poorest build quality I have ever experienced. With less than 8k miles on the car I have paint peeling and a popping noise coming from the headliner. A Toyota district rep was dispatched to diagnose the sound problem I experienced every time I made a right hand turn and determined that insulation between the headliner and the roof had delaminated. They replaced and added shims to fix the problem. The paint bubbled up on the quarter panel and flaked off. They took samples and have sent it to a new Toyota field rep in charge of paint issues. Still not resolved. This car was built at the Subaru facility in Indiana.

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  poor milage - 2011 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
  By davida21_77 - October 6 - 11:00 pm

  I bought this suv in this past feb, I went to a family function 300 miles away and I noticed under a full tank the max range was 300 while the small computer to the rt said avg mpg was 29-30 so about 520 cruise range...yet I only got 300 going one way and fulling up and 300 comming back and fulling up. All toyota technician could say is that the inacuracy is due to driving conditions and other factor which makes no sence since this is a hybrid and not a gas model vehicle. I am dissapointed and my next vehicle is going to be a U.S made hybrid SUV

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  Bad Choice... - 2008 Toyota Highlander
  By aman12 - October 6 - 2:22 pm

  Horrible quality. Have replaced numerous door rest inserts, ratlles coming from every corner, New transmission at 80k, now its in the shop because the lift gate needs a new hydraulic system. Not what Toyota used to be..