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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  4Runner - 2007 Toyota 4Runner
  By rgg2006 - November 1 - 8:26 am

  This is where Toyota has spent its budget for SUVs. What a great job theyve done. The transmission is silky smooth. Quiet. Nice!

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  Satisfied - 2011 Toyota Highlander
  By maringa - November 1 - 7:44 am

  Just received our new Toyota Highlander, Limited FWD last week. It has been a pleasure to drive, and since I bought it for my wife, I havent had much of a chance to drive it myself. Extremely comfortable, quiet and easy on the road. First tank is showing about 18.8 mpg in mixed driving. Hoping that it goes up a little as we break it in. When on a flat highway, for about 30 miles, it showed 23 mpg. Car feels bigger than what it is. Plenty of leg room in the back and front. The test will be 6 month to 1 year into the purchase - will follow-up then.

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  Dereks Prius - 2005 Toyota Prius
  By Derek Hughes - October 31 - 7:10 pm

  Disappointed with the Dummy spare wheel. Was stranded when car broke down on highway late at night just outside San Jose

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  Comfortable powerful good looking SUV - 2016 Toyota Highlander
  By 2016 Highlander Owner - October 31 - 12:40 pm

  Have only owned for 1 month so cant speak to reliability yet. Went on a road trip with our two kids and was thoroughly impressed with the ride quality and creature comforts of our new highlander. Fuel economy isnt great (we averaged 20 mpg with a cargo box) -- hoping that improves as the engine breaks in. Pros: Comfortable seats, plenty of storage/passenger space, good acceleration and handling. Cons: Limited edition lacks some safety features that other vehicles in this class include as standard, plastic covering on "premium" wheels, JBL stereo sounds terrible (under powered), navigation screen glare (due to poor positioning). Update: 6 months and 6K miles into ownership, Highlander is holding up well. Still underwhelmed with gas mileage and find the center arm rest too high resulting in occasional shoulder pain. Also wish the automatic rear hatch opened/closed a bit quicker. Small things -- overall, happy with the purchase. In summary, the high lander provides the right amount of space, power, and has a firm grip on the road. However, some of the "details" are lacking -- Toyota seems to have cut a few corners to save on build costs.

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  Ho Hum - 2007 Toyota RAV4
  By Dan - October 30 - 2:03 pm

  I wish I knew now, what I had no way of knowing when I bought this car. The V6 engine is very peppy, the car handles well, and is terrific on snow covered roads. I really like the way it looks and drives. However, I was not prepared to pay $1800 ($171 for parts)to replaced a water pump. My wife drives this car to work everyday, approximately 100 miles round trip. That comes out o 95% highway driving. If I had known the cost involved for this repair, I would have never bought the V6. At the time I bought it, it was the highest rated SUV according to Consumer Reports. Live and learn.

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  2 years and 20,000+ miles later - 2002 Toyota Camry
  By Kevin - October 30 - 10:13 am

  Very smooth and comfortable traveling car. Toyota quality built into this car. Huge trunk. Great sounding stereo. This car makes me feel safe when driving, especially with optional 4-W ABS. Very good car for driving in snow and rain.

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  Good truck, but with problems - 2002 Toyota Tacoma
  By riddler - October 30 - 10:00 am

  2002 Tacoma double cab is very practical and capable, but mine has been a disappointment. Ive had numerous problems with a rattling dashboard (10+ trips to the dealer and it still rattles). Also, I just had a fuel tank recall and had to get some sort of metal shielding installed. Water pump leaked and had to be replaced. Another large water leak into the cab from the engine cowl - this thing is in the shop yet again getting all the carpet and jute replaced. Its a great truck ... when its not in the shop. Based on my experiences over the past 1.5 years, I would not recommend this truck. Riddler

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  Excellent - 2011 Toyota Corolla
  By George - October 29 - 2:55 pm

  This is a cheapie car that over delivers. I think when rating this car you have to take price into consideration. You are not going to get a high end Audi for under 20k. It has some road noise, a little to much cheap plastic in the interior and the stuff in find in the under 20k range. What I did get was a a smooth ride, enough engine pep, just enough interior room all in a affordable package. Almost 40k and I have only changed oil, filters and put higher end tires on. It warms up quick in cold Michigan and handles snowy roads without skipping a beat. Its a better car than the last two Hondas I have owned.

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  Good value for the price - 2016 Toyota Highlander
  By Mike Peale - October 27 - 9:52 am

  Car is very roomy and comfortable and has a smooth ride. Features are great with the exception of the lack of keyless start as a standard feature.

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  The best investment in my life! - 2004 Toyota 4Runner
  By Matt Lopez - October 26 - 4:46 pm

  With the 2004 Toyota 4Runner, I have been remarked into a new world, it discarded me from my everyday worries during my drive, yet I feel noticed, and believe me, that feels great. I like how I really enjoy my 4Runner. I call it my best friend, I even talk to my 4Runner! I think that is you were ever to purchase this car, you would feel the same too, or even better. I really like the spacious, and size of my truck. I think that Toyota did well on the 4Runner, and I also have an older model, a 1993 Toyota 4Runner SR% V6 3.0litre, and even that was a great design! I really like my Toyotas, theve really tooken me places in such a way that I couldnt even explain it in words. Its the greatest!!!!