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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  Areas of concern - 2010 Toyota Prius
  By bethvol1 - October 22 - 10:00 am

  The sun visors do not come down low enough to shield the early rising sun. I am still blinded after dropping the sun visors down. They should be made a little larger. Also, the side mirrors do not give me adequate vision of drivers just behind my right rear. Otherwise, I have really enjoyed driving this vehicle.

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  Very happy 3 months later - 2011 Toyota Camry
  By irg2 - October 22 - 10:00 am

  My lease on my 2006 Subaru Impreza was up, so I looked at various offerings, including Subaru, Accord, Altima and Malibu. I couldnt find a Subarau I liked, the Accord was really sub bar -I based my knee on the dashboard just getting in - it was swollen for week, lol. The Altima was very nice, but leased for quite a bit more, the Malibu leased for literally twice the price. The Camry was just right, only $234/mo with nothing down, including the taxes, alloys. Drives so much nicer than my Subaru, although not quite comparable really. But the difference in price was only $25. I may get another or the Venza to replace my Odyssey. Wish they would make a Camry wagon in the same price range.

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  Great truck! - 2004 Toyota Tundra
  By vetitcomb - October 20 - 7:42 pm

  I bought this truck new on January 4th of 2004, and I have not had a single problem. I have 120,000 miles on it, and it still runs like new. It is a little slow, but that is expected with a 3.4 in this size of a truck. I would definitely recommend a Tundra to anyone looking for a good used vehicle.

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  Not what I expected - 2009 Toyota Camry
  By Toyota inTexas - October 20 - 4:50 pm

  Ive had my car for 16 months. I wish I had bought the 6 cyl. It could use more power especially with my other family members in the car. The front seats are not comfortable. The poor placement of the accelerator and brake are an issue. Ive had my foot slip off the accelerator and get caught behind the brake pedal. I had always heard good things about Camrys. But I now wish I would have bought an Acura. The recalls and decline in quality just remind me that I should have bought another brand.

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  good truck - 2007 Toyota Tundra
  By wayne rawson - October 20 - 2:23 am

  I have had this truck for 5 months and like it very well. I had to have the radio replaced at 5000 miles and now at 6000 miles the transmission is acting strange.It is downshifting when coming to a stop, will have this checked at the 10000 mile service if it dosnt get worse before then.The truck has great power and give a smooth ride on the highway.Overall build quality is good to above average.

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  200K Miles and Loving It! - 2008 Toyota Prius
  By Bert - October 19 - 12:44 pm

  Pick Leather Seats

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  Everything but sporty - 2006 Toyota Land Cruiser
  By jennal - October 19 - 11:20 am

  Wanted an SUV worthy of buying instead of leasing. Something I could and like to drive for 15 years +. Wanted a Land Cruiser for a while, now I own one, and love it. The truck feels solid , tight, and precise. Decent power, very quiet. looks very nice ( not over the top, but not too plain) . Very thirsty but knew that when I bought it.

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  First time minivan owner - 2015 Toyota Sienna
  By dph1 - October 18 - 11:40 pm

  This is my first time owning a minivan. I have a growing family and came from a long line of Honda Accords. I had recently purchased a 2014 Honda Pilot, but VCM vibration has turned me off on all Honda V-6s (if you are in anyway OCD, avoid Honda VCM V-6 engines like the plague - you will feel vibration and hear noise). Thus, I traded it for the Sienna. I have only owned the Sienna two days, but my family loves it! It rides so nicely and smoothly. It has good pickup for a van and seems very well built. The electronics are a easy to master, and the A/C is super cold, which is a huge plus in the humid South. The rear TV is huge, but you can get by with ipads and save the $$.

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  Looks great, Runs poorly - 2010 Toyota Corolla
  By alberto - October 18 - 7:13 am

  When i first bought this car i was really excited because i felt i had upgraded from my 99 Avalon. Now i just wish I wouldve gone with a honda or mazda. This car has a lot of trouble accelerating as if the car was pulling something. The steering wheel doesnt seem to turn as much as it should. While driving at 65 mph it was difficult to keep car in between lines. This feels unsafe and worse than my 96 accord. Its infuriating that Toyota would build a car this way as oppose to stepping up their game after all they been going through. The car looks great but id rather drive a car 14 years older.

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  It squeaks - 2008 Toyota Matrix
  By rgaetano - October 17 - 12:20 pm

  We are a Toyota family, but are considering switching after this model. The passenger side door continually "squeaks." We are told to "lubricate" the door, but have never had to "lubricate" doors on Camrys, Corollas, or Echos that we have owned. Very disappointing.