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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  Toyota let me down on this one - 2002 Toyota Sienna
  By Helene Schreiner - February 26 - 7:00 am

  Loved the vehicle which I purchased with 40,000 miles. Drives smoothly like my former Camry...love all the extra room. However, at 60,000 miles I have put in almost $3000 plus in maintenance. Had the car checked for a long 12 hr drive...brakes squeeked horribly...needed rear brake maintenance and also found a leak in trans. Hit the road next day and car bucked and shook...back to Toyotal...blew a cylinder and brakes locked up....lost my confidence in this car. This is something that should not have happened at 60,000 miles.

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  No regrets - 2005 Toyota 4Runner
  By Jeff Matthews - February 26 - 4:16 am

  Replaced my 96 Exploreer and have no regrets. Great ride, quiet, plenty of room, and a stable, solid feel on the road. I have to say that this is the best vehicle I have owned. Pleasantly surprised by mileage performance -- its higher than I expected and higher than indicated on sticker. The 6 cylinder packs plenty of power.

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  A first rate vehicle - 2011 Toyota Camry
  By poetman - February 25 - 11:16 pm

  To sum it up, this is an excellent car: comfortable, quiet, with superior performance. It even handles well, better than two Lexus vehicles that I have owned. The fit and finish is flawless, as is the ease with which the controls can be handled, including the navigation system and the back-up camera.

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  I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE my car!!! - 2005 Toyota Corolla
  By Stargirl - February 25 - 9:33 pm

  This model of Corolla is like no other. For the price you pay, you get way more car for your buck then say a Civic. It is so fun to drive. It hugs turns like a little race car. I love the 6 speed. The body of the car is really cute and does not look like a boring sedan. I highly recommend this car.

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  Rear End Noise - 2012 Toyota Prius v
  By rhagedorn - February 25 - 5:34 pm

  Overall I am satisified with the car. My gas mileage, having driven 10,320, is 44.2mpg which is GREAT. The rear storage is more than adequate for a small car. Handles and ride just fine. Our BIGGEST problem we are having, with no fix available at this time, is an increasing high pitch noice coming from rear. The noise has been increasing in loudness and duration as we add mileage. It now is occurring at times when applying breaks. It is more noticeable when it is damp, but has at times made it when dry. I have had it back to dealer 3 times and this last time was informed Toyato is aware but does not have a fix. So if you are considering proceed with cation! Frustrating for sure!

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  Sequoia - 2002 Toyota Sequoia
  By mpstone - February 25 - 4:26 pm

  Sixth and best (by far) SUV I have owned.

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  4runner sport 4wd - 2008 Toyota 4Runner
  By jdlar53 - February 25 - 12:43 pm

  A reliable SUV, its our third 4 Runner, but our first 4 wd, and we will never get another one. We had alignment issues since the SUV was new, and still have problems with it wanting to drive off the right hand side of the road. It leaks air in all four tires approx 2-3 psi a week. As far as the Tom Tom Nav unit, we are on our 3rd chip replacement, and it still isnt very accurate.

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  Dont know why its so much fun! - 1999 Toyota RAV4
  By Brett - February 25 - 10:56 am

  Got it used with just under 80K on it, and after some clean up and maintenance, it is like a new car. Very fun off road, we do a lot of off road and it never gets stuck or breaks. Love the looks, inside and out, the 5 speed manual makes it very fun to drive, the average MPG is 26 with a lot of short trips. Plenty of power for me, comfortable, reliable, large cargo area with the seats out, great to load the dog into. We plan on keeping it forever.

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  I hate my Yaris - 2010 Toyota Yaris
  By lilliann - February 25 - 10:35 am

  It is the most boring car I have ever driven and I have driven many cars. I traded a 2007 Mini Cooper for this dreadful vehicle. Its a huge effort to pass a car in front of me - it doesnt want to; its automatic transmission shifts first up, then down, then up again around 30 miles per hour on an un-level street; it has terrifying brakes that lock up; it wont track over 60 miles per hour (constantly fighting the steering wheel to keep the car in a straight line - very tiring); no comfortable place for my feet. I absolutely hate everything about it, except for the gas mileage - and yes, thats very good. I recommend new car buyers to steer clear of this one. Get a Mini Cooper instead.

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  Only one car to drive - 2002 Toyota Prius
  By BIG G - February 25 - 2:00 am

  Typical Toyota, superior technology with all the creature comforts. Drives as smooth as a midsize car, with the handling of a small car. More than enough power for for day to day situations.