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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  BEWARE - 2003 Toyota Highlander
  By beware - July 24 - 2:00 am

  Bought an 03 HighlanderV6.Replacing my loaded Mountaineer lease,I knew Id sacrifice some bells & whistles,but wanted a smaller SUV. Toyota makes a great safe car,I thought it was a no-brainer. Well,BUYER BEWARE!Dont drive over 38mph with the back window down or youll feel like your ears will explode.Worse than a plane.If this wouldnt bother you, then Id say its a nice choice.However,if you care about your kids or backseat passangers ears,I BEG YOU TO SEARCH FOR SOMETHING ELSE,or at the least make sure it comes w/a sunroof to slightly alleviate it. With the great ratings&reviews I thought Id be thrilled, but you live & learn. DONT BELIEVE THE HYPE!

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  toyota comes up with stinker - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By louis - July 6 - 2:30 pm

  This car is very disappointing.The hesitation problems still remain even after toyota promised a fix way back when and have done nothing.Cheaply made-with plastic door sills that rattle and a moon roof that does the same.It steers poorly and doesnt even brake well.Even the floor rugs on driver side dont come all the way up to wall(stapled down).Bluetooths software doesnt work when you try to program names.

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  horrible and boring!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! - 2002 Toyota Camry
  By tada1234 - July 5 - 10:00 am

  I just got the camry and it is horrible!!!!!! its back lights are ugly and big and the seats are the most unconfortable seats ever! the body is dullest eva and the interior is also dull. The controls are hard to reach and use!! the navigation system hides the radio forcing u to move the navi system to tune the radio!! the back seat is ok thats the only plus. their is no headroom. did i mention this car is ugly?

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  I bought it for quality...so I thought! - 2004 Toyota Tacoma
  By EricAB - June 30 - 2:00 am

  I drive about 100 miles a day; after a few months of spending about 60-80 dollars a week just to get to work I decided on a toyota 4door tacoma after a little research I found they are horrible on pollution & gas(17mpg hwy POOR) but I had my heart set on this model so I bought it. I ended up regretting (dont go to Toyota of Claremont) theyre tactics are unsavoury!

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  Its o.k. - 2016 Toyota Prius
  By subodh sunil patel - June 26 - 12:04 pm

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  Toyota Losing Touch - 1998 Toyota Avalon
  By 4thToyota - June 17 - 2:00 am

  This was my 4th Toyota, and a real dog. Extremely poor design, fit and finish. Interior body panels coming apart (have never seen that in any vehicle). Heavy driver side door pulled the hinge screw off the chassis! Brakes failed at 30,000 miles. etc. etc. Also avoid Montclair Acura, they had the gall to ask for $880 for a set of 4 tires!

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  Beware Prius - 2003 Toyota Prius
  By FMjustice - June 5 - 10:00 am

  Has a maintenance requirement that Toyota fails to disclose except in the fine print in the manual. The car must be run for 30 minutes at least every two weeks or both the 12 volt and hybrid battery may deteriorate. Upon being asked, Toyotas staff informs one that failure to comply with the requirement may result in the warranty on the hybrid battery (for which they will not disclose the replacemet cost) being voided. Honda, at least, gives you a month on its hybrid, and does not threaten to void your warranty. We also experienced an exploding tire and have never achieved the advertised gas mileage.

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  I could ask for a whole lot more! - 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
  By Sad - June 4 - 1:33 pm

  Fuel economy is 22-25% below sticker numbers. Has uncontrollable torque steer while under full throttle @15 mph. The cars pulls to the right then back to the left, dealer says "thats nature of the car". The motor thuds when it comes on and is anything but seamless. Lift gate squeaks, drivers side passenger door rattles. Vehicle has 3,000 miles on it. While driving with the windows down, the brakes will squeal and the motor whines noticeably also the wind buffeting is horrible. Suspension absorbs pot holes well. Vehicle is hard to control in turns and uncontrollable if accelerating hard in a turn. Captains chair arm rests and stereo are cheap. AC vents poor for 2nd row passengers.

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  2016 Tacoma is dissapointing - 2016 Toyota Tacoma
  By Andrew - May 25 - 6:18 am

  Resale value is the main reason to purchase this car. I grew up with Toyotas and had several, to include multiple generations of 4Runners. There is nothing left of the old Toyota reliability, or as the sales people keep saying everytime I am at the dealership, "QDR! Quality, Durability, Reliability!" The interior is cheap and poorly constructed, parts have fallen off behind my dash, which required the dash to be pulled to bolt things back into place. My rear differential was replaced under warranty due to excessive noise, but only after a year of documentation on it getting progressively worse. I kept being told this was just a characteristic of the vehicle by the dealer. While the engine is a poor excuse for a truck engine (3.5L with a faux Atkinson cycle that does little for gas mileage but makes power delivery always a question mark) at least I didnt make the mistake of purchasing the automatic. During test drives I immediately knew that would be a mistake. Still, the drivetrain selection even with a manual is questionable, at best. Hopefully I can sell this for enough money to help pay for a new Ford Ranger when they release in the US. Would not purchase again.

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  2014.5 Toyota Camry SE Sport Below Average - 2014 Toyota Camry
  By aj_luu@yahoo.com - May 22 - 3:02 pm

  This is a honest review from an owner that recently purchased the Camry. My 14.5 Camry was purchased in December of 2015 and I regret buying this thing. I had a 13 Honda Accord with continuous variable transmission which was fine but the continuous variable transmission was getting awful to drive. I did my research and it was between a Mazda 6 or Camry. Did not want to go back to continuous variable transmission again. The Nissan Altima had continuous variable transmission too, I guess everyone is going to the continuous variable transmission transmission. The Camry still has the automatic 6 speed transmission so thats what sold me on it. The Mazda 6 interiors dash layout is horrible in my opinion. When I test drove the car it was fine but after a few months of owing it I hate it. The car is cheaply made and while driving you can hear every crack and rattle while hitting bumps. This annoys the hell out of me. The plastics are cheap and can be easy taken out with little force. Every time I hit a bump I hear my dashboard crack and rattle. I cant find wheres it coming from for a while now. Then when I back up I hear a grinding noise but only while I back up. People in the forums said its the brakes engaging but this did not happen in my old Accord. I tried to change oil and this car does not use a conventional filter. It uses a filter that you have to open then insert a paper filter into it. It was so hard to get out as well so I left it till next oil change since it was cold outside. Like someone mention the paint is so thin, you will see every little scratch even if you have a silver color like I do. Did I mention the seats make noise and cracks as well when you move around in your seat? Oh yeah, theres no transmission dip stick to check your transmission oil with the new engines. I guess the only way is to change the transmission oil when it time and put in the right amount of fluid. Overall, I feel this Camry is poorly built and cheaply made. Too much little issues for me to even like this slightly. Im already thinking to trade this in even though I know I will lose more money. This has been a big mistake purchase. I might go back to Honda and get a Accord V6 without the continuous variable transmission. Please beware Toyota is not the way it used to be anymore.