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:

• 

  10000 miles - 2010 Toyota Corolla
  By Bill Whitlock - February 15 - 3:23 pm

  Gas mileage, low 27 high 39, average local driving 30/31, interstate 32. Front seats are good, trunk space good for small car, small opening. Drives good but steering is numb. Horn sounds like it belongs on a childs toy. Low beams are poor, they light the road surface but very little else. Very sensitive to wind. Transmission shifts good during local easy driving. After downing shifting on hilly interstates the shift from 3 to 4 is hard. Transmission slow to down shift when driving back roads. Very hard to see out the back when parking. Engine sounds like a putt putt car. Radio sound is ok, changing cds is different than most. Car is rough when crossing joints in the road

• 

  Close but not cigar - 2007 Toyota Prius
  By cheapdeep - February 15 - 2:53 pm

  I really wanted to like the Prius but ended up trading it in about a month after buying it. It drives like a golf cart but Im ok with that. What really bothered me were some missing features and the ergonomics. This is a bit of an exaggeration but it felt like I had to press 3 buttons to change the radio. While the touch screen is cool and futurisic, nothing beats a button for functionality. Nothing on this car was intuitive. I constantly felt like I was doing a science experiment. And the transition between the electic motor and gas was not smooth.

• 

  2nd Tundra - 2006 Toyota Tundra
  By Jim Kang - February 15 - 9:56 am

  This is the second tundra that I have owned. I have been very happy with the second so far and see no reason that should change. The only reason I purchased the new truck was for the back seat. The new truck has more power, features, and especially ROOM. I have not take the new truck 4- wheeling yet, but the old (2000 sr5 4x4) was always more than capable. The new truck also has limited slip and ABS that the old does not. Great truck very comfortable, and reliable.

• 

  Great car, until... - 1999 Toyota 4Runner
  By LGraves - February 15 - 7:40 am

  I loved this car until yesterday the engine popped. I was amazed that a Toyota brand cars engine would blow at 140,000 miles. Apparently, 4Runner engines made between 1999-2001 (according to our Toyota dealership sources) made very bad engines that blew. Toyota didnt advertise this, so new car buyers had no idea. I now have a great car with no engine. I wish I would have known that their engines were bad during those years.

• 

  2004 Toyota Sienna AWD Minivan - 2004 Toyota Sienna
  By Rich C. - February 15 - 6:00 am

  I have had a great deal of experience with numerous vehicles. My late father was in the automoble business for 40 years, so I have owned almost all makes and models over a 45 year period. I did like my Ford pickups, but it became difficult to get in and out of the back for me and my dogs. I use my vehicles for hunting, so ease of access is a prime consideration. This Toyota minivan is the answer to my dreams in comfort, convenience, and ease of use. Simply stated, the best automoble I have ever owned!

• 

  Great vehicle to own and drive - 2008 Toyota Highlander
  By BillU - February 15 - 5:53 am

  I have owned this vehicle for about a year and replaced an 05 Pathfinder. This has more power, handles better and gets better fuel economy. The only thing I dont like is the hesitation on acceleration. I didnÂ’t notice it much at first but now I realize that when I round a corner and push on the gas, it takes awhile before it responds. You need to be aware of this before you purchase. The other strange part was adding a towing package but not getting the hitch. I found an aftermarket that works great. This is one of the best all around vehicles I have ever owned.

• 

  a unique car - 2001 Toyota Echo
  By elliotte21 - February 15 - 3:56 am

  When I bought my ECHO, at first I had a few reservations. I had never owned a small car, never owned anything less than a V-8. I waw; however, plesantly surprised. The ECHO has plenty of room my me, and Ive fit up to 4 of my friends comfortably in it. As for power, it even has plenty of that.

• 

  love It - 2005 Toyota Matrix
  By XRauto - February 14 - 8:50 pm

  Overall this is a great car. I would buy another in an instant. I would suggest a few changes to toyota but other wise they got it dead on right.

• 

  V8 5.7 versus 4.6 L - 2017 Toyota Tundra
  By Lumpy - February 14 - 7:39 pm

  I had a 2015 Tundra SR5 5.7 L for 2 years and was t-boned from a side street, and it was totaled. The kia car who hit me, literally there were thousands of pieces of his car all over the road! The only piece of my Tundra that fell off was a letter or two from the chrome "Tundra" that is on the side of the vehicle on the front passengers door. Thats it other than the side 2 doors being smashed in real good. Mine was totaled due to bending the frame at the back under the car. I went out with a nice insurance payout and got a 2017 Tundra SR5 with the smaller 4.6 L engine. In the 2 years I had the 5.7 L, I never pulled or towed one thing. So I test-drove the 4.6 L. I could not tell any difference test-driving for 15 minutes. So I got the 4.6 L. Here is what I can tell you after having it a week. The 4.6L is MUCH better for driving in town and urban areas - stop / go / 35 MPH-50 MPH. The transmission shifts more smoothly and feels better driving. I can also tell it accelerates faster from 0. The 5.7L roared and did not like to go under 50 MPH it seemed. In town traffic driving the 5.7 L in 25-50 MPH stop and go was painful. Transmission shifting out from 0 was just ok with the 5.7 L but the 4.6 L is better. I dont know how much weight loss the truck has from the 5.7 versus the 4.6 but I swear the truck feels lighter and more nimble. I like it better. I dont pull/tow/haul but I carry stuff in the bed so for me, the 4.6 L works, and I like it better.

• 

  Best ever - 2005 Toyota Tacoma
  By Doc J - February 14 - 6:10 pm

  Ive owned a number of Toyota trucks in the past. All have been excellent with incredible trade-in value. This one is the best ever. Roomy, solid, plenty of power, 6 forwards, bed tie downs, protected bed, much bigger extra cab, great sound system, easy to red dash, plenty of leg/head room and a large feeling cab (not closed in). Head lamps seem brighter and flash rather than stay on all the time. I love the vehicle.