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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  Beeps too Much - 2018 Toyota Camry
  By KrisD3 - November 4 - 3:35 pm

  WOW!! Love the exterior of this car and it is a dream to drive. My only complaint is that it beeps too much especially when I am trying to get into my tiny one car garage. I agree with the Edmunds Review, "overly sensitive". It also happens if if the road curves just a bit and I am too close to the white line when driving. I think they should have used a soothing voice instead, saying something like "Driving too close to outside curve" but instead its this jarring beep. I end up talking to the car, and saying things like, yes I know the car is too close to the edge. Usually I just crank up the radio. Once I thought it moved itself to the center of the road, so i wasnt so close to the white line. I am wishing I had leased now so I could get something probably equally as annoying in three years, but maybe, by then it will be a smooth quiet voice rather than those annoying beeps!!! (I got the 2018 but on here, I had to type in 2017 as there is no button for it)

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  Not happy with warranty coverage - 2001 Toyota Sequoia
  By psfranco - November 4 - 10:00 am

  Overall the vehicle is fine. However, the driver side window has been squeeky lately. I went to open the window the other day, and the glass almost completely turned around. Took it into the dealership and guess what? Not covered under warranty. They want $700 to replace the motor. Im sorry, but for something that has nothing to do with the actual "running" of the car should include reasonable wear and tear. What else does one do with a window besides press the button to roll it up or down? Im pretty mad about this and Corporate Toyota will be getting a call.

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  Everything I was hoping for... - 2001 Toyota RAV4
  By Erik - November 4 - 10:00 am

  I love this car. Truck. Cluck. It is a touch underpowered at 4 cylinders, but that would have been my choice anyway. Toyota should really offer a six. This is my first experience with AWD. I wont go back. It handles the snow here in the Northeast very well. I still, two years later, think this is a snazzy looking car. If you are on the fence, you wont do better than this one.

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  Great car my awd - 2009 Toyota Matrix
  By HWR - November 4 - 7:20 am

  We purchased our 09 matrix in 2008. At the time living in snowy area we got the awd-s model with the 2.4 litre Camry engine. Traction control on snow/ice fantastic. Not too many other cars can beat it from a light, eccept maybe a sports sedan with a v-8? paint chips easily, seats uncomfortable&blind spots, mileage is o. k. 28-30 mpg on highway. Overall the car is good. 31,000 miles&only oil changes. All 4 tires will need to be replaced soon. Remember, its awd!

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  2002 celica - 2003 Toyota Celica
  By ronnyCELICA - November 4 - 2:00 am

  IF YOU WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT TOYOTA CELICA GO TO WWW.CELICA.NET AND BECOME A MEMBER FOR FREE...metallic paint option on it. how about some power seats it wouldnt be great? .the paint quality is really bad ive been with my car for 1 year and half and i already have a lot of scrathes in the front bumper and the hood.ahh i dont know if guys heard but THERE IS A BIG PROBLEM WITH THE BELT TENSIONER OR PRETENSIONER ALOT OF PEOPLE HAD PROBLEMS WITH IT ITS A DEFECT FROM THE MANUFACTURER.IS JUST MAKES A RATTLE NOISE WHEN YOU START THE CAR FOR LIKE 15 MINUTES THEN STOP.THE DEALER CHANGED THE BELT AND THE TENSIONER

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  Great truck! - 2003 Toyota Tundra
  By toy yoda - November 4 - 2:00 am

  Bought the Tundra in March 2003 from local dealership. Overall impressed with the truck. Decided on the Tundra because of the positive ratings from J.D. Power and Associates, Intellichoice, and Consumer Reports to name a few. The ride is very comfortable and smooth. The quality of interior materials is suberb. The exterior is solid and able to take anything.

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  I love this truck - 2001 Toyota Tacoma
  By Scott - November 3 - 3:06 am

  I have used this truck extensively offroad, mostly desert driving. Swapped stock shocks (I ruined them very quickly) for Bilsteins, huge difference. This truck performs extremely well offroad if not driven beyond its limits, yet still maintains a quality ride on-road for a 4x4. The only problem Ive had is the cruise control stopped working around 40,000 miles. I have also used it since new as a tow vehicle for a desert race car and even though beyond capacity, am still impressed with how well it tows. The rear leaves are starting to sag, but only because of overloading. I plan to keep this truck forever. Toyota fan for life!

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  NOT MEANT FOR SHORT PEOPLE - 2009 Toyota Camry
  By dendennnn - November 2 - 7:12 pm

  I am 5 feet tall. I have to pull my seat out so close, that I cant even pull down the visor when the sun is out or itll hit my head. (Also pulling the eat in and out sucks because the button makes it move so slow.) The Camry is meant for tall, big or buff guys. Not for a 5 foot lady! Its a good car. Some cons are that it doesnt even have a compass. I cant fast forward my music either. It is a reliable car and its good on gas. I never fill up more than half because the as wastes less this way. I get about 20-23 mpg.

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  Not what I expected from Toyota - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By WJROCK07 - November 1 - 5:16 pm

  I purchased a 2007 Camry because of the looks of the redesigned model and because of the "legendary" Toyota quality and reliability. As of today, I am a bit disappointed in the build quality of the car. First of all, the interior has way too many cheap plastic parts (like the cheap plastic center piece that houses the clock.) Second, during this past winter, an annoying dashboard rattle has developed in two places.(by the right speaker & behind the instrument panel). Also, Toyota has continued to make the Camry larger, but has failed to increase the horsepower of the 4 cylinder. Therefore, more RPMs are needed to accelerate which kills my fuel economy.

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  Base 4 cylinder - 2011 Toyota Sienna
  By basesienna - November 1 - 10:16 am

  Just returned from our trip to the mts. Of North Carolina. One day we drove from Franklin to highlands on the gorge rd which is rt. 64, a very steep, twisty, narrow road. We road the 12 miles up and back down from about 2000 ft. Elevation to over 4500 ft. We had absolutely no problem what so ever with the 4 cylinder engine. It performed better than my 3.3 liter Dodge and having the 6 speed transmission made it a breeze. The highest rpm were about 2500. I cant explain what a joy it was to drive this van on that very steep road. I have driven it for the past 10 years with Chrysler products and the Toyota out performed them head over heals. If you are thinking about the 4 cylinder.