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:

• 

  Needs new design - 2005 Toyota Tacoma
  By jj - January 15 - 2:06 am

  The temp and compass above dashboard needs designed so you can read it in the daylight! Stock radio and cd player are junk, dealer quoted $700.00 to replace! Truck has great exterior design and looks great though!

• 

  A Keeper - 2005 Toyota Tacoma
  By Ralph Shaffer - January 14 - 11:40 am

  The Toyota Taco is the best engineered automobile Ive ever owned. Its like driving a car. A big car. Like a Cadillac. Its quiet on the highway and the big 16 inch tires and long wheelbase make it a dream to drive on a long trip. Seats are just right for my arthritic back, all controls are easy to reach. Maintenance is a dream - they even give you a drip catcher for the easy to reach (topside) oil filter. Only time will tell how this holds up under the freeze-thaw-snow-salt Pennsylvania winters. The 4X4 transfer case is a dream - just turn the switch. Mileage is kind of stinky if youre used to a car, but not bad for a 4X4, about 17mpg. It runs on regular gas just fine.

• 

  Selling it - 2005 Toyota Tacoma
  By Mark777 - January 14 - 5:00 am

  Owned many Toyota models and this is my biggest disappointment. Interior parts scratch easily. Wildly revving cold engine starts. Touchy clutch. Transmission very hard to down-shift into first when cold unless you are at a stop. When you finally get it in gear you will most likely smash your knuckles into the sharp edge the designer felt was practical to leave on the dash at the end of the shift levers travel. A horror story for short driver/tall passenger combos. Knees will be smashed into the space hogging dashboard. Would it have killed Toyotas bottom line to put a split bench in this vehicle? If you are looking at this truck, do yourself a favor and get the Access cab.

• 

  Need More for the Money! - 2004 Toyota Avalon
  By Unsatisfied - January 13 - 7:16 pm

  The Toyota Avalon XLS is overpriced for an auto that offers the same features as other cars not in the "Toyota" line. The Avalon has no eye-catching appeal.

• 

  Toyota is good. - 2016 Toyota Corolla
  By Frank - January 13 - 1:56 pm

  Toyota is a good car compared what you paid.

• 

  Great, Dependable SUV - 1998 Toyota 4Runner
  By UsingCommonSense - January 13 - 11:03 am

  I have owned my 4Runner for almost 12 years. It has been an extremely reliable vehicle. The only problems I have had are the "junky" stereo and the retractable antennae. These are obviously very minor problems. The car just wont die. The V6 is a little on the weak side, but its not too bad. The interior is a little cramped. But, this SUV is a monster in bad weather. In 4WD this vehicle cant be stopped. I cant say enough about how great this vehicles is in the snow. Overall, this is a great vehicle to pick up even after 12 years. If you can find one with modest mileage and a clean title, you will not regret your choice.

• 

  Great Car !! - 1997 Toyota Corolla
  By Jasmine - January 12 - 2:19 pm

  I bought this car two years ago with 227,000 miles on it ! Yes I know , a lot lol . This car is very durable . Only repairs Ive made were the brake lights , tires , and struts . My car now has 266,000 miles on it and it and still runs like new !

• 

  Avalon LTD: A lot for the money - 2006 Toyota Avalon
  By Walt & Betty - January 12 - 7:33 am

  The purchase process was unusually easy and the price was more than fair. However, the allowance for the trade was low. Everything worked the first time; the car had no cosmetic or mechanical problems, even though it came with about every option available. I thought that something was bound to be wrong with so complicated a car, but everything was perfect. The engine has plenty of power; it is easy to speed in this car because it is so quiet. The nav. system works well, but was difficult to learn. The drivers manual is confusing, poorly written, and full of language errors, making learning complicated systems even more difficult. Overall, however, this is a very good car for the cost.

• 

  2012 highlander - 2012 Toyota Highlander
  By kingsford1 - January 11 - 9:39 pm

  I had a 2007 Rav4 which I liked very much. The new Highlander has a nicer, quieter ride it does not has as much power-pick-up as the rav 4. I hope that the reliability is as good as the Rav. I like my highlander thank you toyota.

• 

  Consumer review 2003 Toyota Matrix - 2003 Toyota Matrix
  By Dr. T - January 11 - 8:03 pm

  Unbelievable handling. Fun to drive, but with some drawbacks. 1) hard to manage clutch. 2) brakes, clutch, steering wheel not real comfortable. Needs to have telescoping steering wheel and more room above clutch as toe hits firewall before clutch is fully depressed. 3) excessive pressure required on clutch to start vehicle is a pain, perhaps can be adjusted. Sound system is great, but requires much difficult reading to master as the owners manual is poorly done in this area. GOOD mileage (33 mpg hwy, 29 city). Decent (not great) power, best over 4,000 rpm. Cargo space is very good, but cup holders get in the way of emergency brake. Basically, Im glad that I bought it.