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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  Cheap Car - 2005 Toyota Prius
  By Cheap Car - July 27 - 10:26 am

  Make no mistake, this is a cheap feeling car. Its light, noisy, rides rough, and has no refinement or elegance whatsoever. It drives and feels like those mini Toyota Tercels that girls drove in college. The interior is plastic (silver plastic?), and the dashboard screams cheap and plastic. Ive already had a door piece fall off. Its not nearly a midsize; sit in it and compare it to a Camry. It also gets blown all over the road, and gooses itself up hills. For $22,000+, this car isnt a real car. This is the most expensive car Ive bought, yet it drives and feels like the cheapest. Wait for the hybrid Camry, or try a hybrid Civic or Accord.

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  Safe and Sound - 2000 Toyota Sienna
  By cwardlaw - July 27 - 12:56 am

  Our Sienna has been virtually trouble-free, and weve also experienced an accident. The Sienna did an admirable job of protecting everyone, and the ALR rear seatbelts held the kids car seats tight during the wreck. Still, I dislike this van. I find the Sienna dreadfully uncomfortable. The front seats are mushy and offer virtually no support. The cargo space behind the third-row seat is not terribly good, and I wish the Toyota had the same disappearing third-row seat as the Honda does.

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  The worst driving position - 2016 Toyota Corolla
  By Gnep - July 25 - 12:32 pm

  Good fuel economy on highway. Round trip from San Jose to San Diego at ~70 mph, gets ~37 mpg. At ~60 mph, mpg gets even better. Just average fuel economy in city. ~23.5 mpg. Much reduced body roll than previous model, now takes corners confidently. Doesnt float on highway, as previous model did. Acceleration from stop is not fast but acceptable. Adequate acceleration on highway. Con: First thing I noticed was distorted reflection in rear mirror. Made me dizzy. Luckily dealer could replace a rear mirror, its reflection was still distorted but less noticeable. Where is Toyota Quality Control? I have driven Camry, Altima, Mazda 3, Forte, Fusion, Focus, Sonata, Sentra, Elantra, & Accent. The 2016 Corolla LE has the worst front seat, virtually no lower back support. Third day into driving this car gave me back ache. I had to stuff a small pillow behind my back. Previous model does not have this problem. Cost cutting, thinner seat? The steering wheel is off-center, more towards the right. My left hand needs to reach further. After long hour of driving, your body posture becomes asymmetric. Just plain poor ergonomics. The steering wheels hard plastic cuts into the joints of my fingers. The center consoles hard plastic cut into the side of my right knee. I have since taped a soft pad there as cushion. After the San Jose - San Diego round trip, its roof started rattling. It was just one month of driving. Where is Toyotas reliability?

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  Thought more of a Toyota - 2005 Toyota RAV4
  By John M - July 23 - 3:46 pm

  My wife purchased this without test driving other cars. Fell in love at first 10 minute drive up the street. Almost 1.5 years later she has been constantly begging to trade in for something with more space (the folding back seats do not lie flat), better gas mileage, and a smoother ride. For a vehicle built on the corolla platform it rides more like a hummer (military version). She is so dissapointed, that she will not consider another Toyota.

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  Disappointed & Frightened - 2008 Toyota Highlander
  By Michele W - July 20 - 11:50 pm

  When I purchased my Highlander, I told the sales rep I needed a safe, dependable car for my 6 grandchildren who I taxi almost daily. In the snow, my brakes seem to lock the front wheels after a thumping noise. I have sailed through three intersections; did a 360 spin in a roundabout doing 20mph with an inch of snow on the ground; came within a hair of hitting a utility truck in a snow filled parking lot; and have spun around while turning a corner. I live in the northeast with snow from November to March. On 1/14/10 my dealer said, "Cant find a problem and -no- snow tires are not the answer." Im afraid to have the grandchildren in the car and am now scared to drive in the snow.

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  A poor quality car - 2001 Toyota Avalon
  By Greg - July 20 - 2:50 pm

  I bought it new. I had emission problems with it. The computer failed. All these repairs were very expensive for the parts. By 35k, the soft suspension was shot. I had to drop the suspension and go through all the bushings, and upgrade the struts. Now it handles well. I have been "wrenching" for 30+ years. This auto is not well built, relative to toyotas of years ago. Several times I have had to buy expensive, special tools to work on it. It is very hard to work on. Our 94 Accord is a better car. We have a 4+ year old xterra thats much higher quality. I have owned some good fords (ranger), two nissans now, and one Honda. I will never buy another Toyota.

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  NewSUV - 2002 Toyota Sequoia
  By SUV4ME - July 20 - 10:00 am

  Overall good reliable SUV. Smoother ride than my wifes Expedition. Handles road well. Very roomy interior with comfortable seating. Pleased with basic performance, however disappointed with quality of leather and carpeting. Sound system mediocre. For 40K price tag, features are somewhat of a disappointment.

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  hope it will last many years - 2009 Toyota Corolla
  By cdivers - July 12 - 11:43 pm

  noise in front suspension,dealer replaced both front struts and housing at 4500 miles. gas mileage great,steering is odd.I have owned 15 Toyotas before this one,car was too pricing for what you got on the vehicle,interior fabric and plastic could be better. Just hope this corolla last.

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  Not great - 2005 Toyota Sequoia
  By CentralValley - July 11 - 9:46 pm

  We bought it to replace a Honda Odyssey because it was quieter and felt more solid. However, it performs worse, averages 7 MPG less and is not as comfortable or cargo-friendly. It refuses to get over 18 mpg on the highway and averages 13 in town. The socket to slide the 3rd row middle shoulder belt into will not hold it in place, so it dangles from the roof. One of the plastic moldings on the exterior of the rt. rear door came loose for no reason. The power rear window motor burned out and needed to be replaced. The dealer said that was common.(???) The rubber flaps in the front cup holders have torn out so cups arent held snug. Too many cheap, hard plastic surfaces inside.

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  Not worth the cost. - 2016 Toyota Highlander
  By J. Green - July 10 - 10:21 am

  Purchased the 2016 Toyota Highlander Limited Platinum using reviews and owners feedback and own test drive. Have owned for one year and have been very disappointed from the beginning. Rented a Toyota Highlander XLE because no Limited available to rent. Test drove it for about 2 hours over all different types freeway and road conditions except wet pavement. The vehicle was a excellent ride, quite and refined and engine noise and acceleration very good. However we could not test drive a Limited Platinum as we purchased. What a difference in autos. The Limited platinum rides rough and potholes and even small bumps in the pavement can be felt. The wind noise at normal speeds is very loud and at freeway speeds one cannot hold a conversation with another person. I tried to locate the source of the noise and taped up everything in the end but only slightly reduced the noise. The Dealer did find the source which is the rubber seal where the roof and roof rack meet. There is a gap in the seal that is the source of almost all the wind noise. The dealer has no fix and ask me to let them know if I was able to find a solution. I have taken it to two body shops and ask if they could correct the problem. The body shops will not even take on the repair so I am stuck with coming up with a solution of my own. I have tried different things but have not found a solution yet that will stay in place because all of what I have tried will only adhere to either the rubber seal or the metal but not both. Disappointing because I have owned 6 different 4-Runners and the last three all road and drove as well as the Highlander without the road noise.