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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  Overall Great Car - 1999 Toyota Camry
  By Geoff83 - August 19 - 10:00 am

  I bought the Camry in April of 2002 and have had no major problems at all. The car is great on gas milage and has adequate power on city streets. Besides normal wear and tear the only issue i have had is the passanger door window motor which was inepensive to replace. Only complaints are that the rear cup holders are easily broken, that the car rides low or the suspension is too giving that the car scrapes its undercarriage alot on bumps, and that the stereo has no lights on the buttons to see at night; only glow in the dark stickers.

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  great family vehicle - 1999 Toyota Sienna
  By STLMO - August 18 - 5:33 pm

  I purchased this van from a family member who bought it new. Only the tires have needed replacing, but the brakes will need replacing soon. It now has 82K miles on it, and the engine still drives smoothly and gas mileage is better than an SUV. This vehicle is very family friendly, and we feel safe driving it. It handles very well in bad weather, which is a big plus for me. It has some rattles in various places, but we have put it through a lot. It rides like a car, and it has been a good travel vehicle. It doesnt have many extras, but it has been very functional for our needs. I wasnt crazy about the idea of getting a mini- van, but we have been very pleased with it overall.

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  Best for the money - 2005 Toyota Matrix
  By PracticalCarBuff - August 17 - 11:23 am

  Clearly the best value choice for a new car at this price. The space and utility combined with fun to drive, features and economy cannot be beat. interior has incredible space and versatility. Though considered less sporty to drive than some others, I enjoy being behind the wheel very much. Has some clear shortcomings at this price in terms of quality and safety that are usually overlooked by reviewers but I find important in real use. Impossible to find perfection in any car at this price, but this vehicle does the best combination for space utility, reliability, efficiency and affordibility. If there was a Lexus version with more power, safety and nicer interior, same value, Id buy it.

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  Recent Highlander Owner - 2013 Toyota Highlander
  By Alan Richman - August 17 - 10:13 am

  Excellent reliability

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  09 Corolla XRS - 2009 Toyota Corolla
  By Jerry C - August 16 - 1:43 pm

  Picked the Corolla for several reasons. Familiar with Toyota quality and reliability. Car looks awesome! Super White looks fantasic. The 2.4L performs well and is quiet, handles very well and is a blast to shift through the gears. Very smooth and easy to drive and all controls are placed well in the cabin. Build quality seems very good at this point. Time will tell.

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  Disappointing with build quality - 2003 Toyota Sienna
  By dzu - August 16 - 2:00 am

  For a Toyota brand name, I am so disappointing with build quality such as speakers falling off, rattle noise from windows, problem with rear defroster. Driving experience is good.

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  Ignore the chauvanists - 2000 Toyota Tundra
  By brucec32 - August 16 - 2:00 am

  Ive owned them all, chevy, ford, dodge, and Toyota. By far my best pickup for light-medium duty use. I dont haul passengers, so try elsewhere if you want lots of rear seat room, but otherwise this truck tops the others in virtually every category. And its more reliable. Beware of pro-domestic truck fans who come on message boards slamming Tundras. I also own a 2002 silverado, so I think Im pretty objective. The tundra is easier to drive and feels more in control. The Silverado has already had 2 major issues, too.

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  Miss my 2004 - 2009 Toyota Corolla
  By Don - August 14 - 11:33 pm

  I sold my 2004 LE to buy this 2009 LE. This is my 4th Corolla since 1993. I have always found the newly designed models to have things that I enjoyed more than the old ones - until the 2009. I still respect the reliability, the no-frills, down to earth, never-break-down-at-3AM Corolla experience. It is basic, solid transportation. We all know that. The 09 looks sleek and nice and it is, until you get inside and you wonder who fell asleep at the wheel, literally. The armrests are useless, the CD holder spaces are gone, the coin tray is so tilted all the coins fall out, the wood grain is gone on the LE, the knobs look outdated and the interior looks cheap and flimsy. What were they thinking?

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  Poor MPG - 2007 Toyota RAV4
  By Tom H - August 14 - 11:20 pm

  If youre considering the RAV4 for its great milage, consider this... I travel 60 hwy miles, and another 20 on rural roads daily. My ave hwy speed is 72, and Im no leadfoot around town, either. With this mix, I should be getting 25MPG consistently. After 4000 miles traveling the same daily route, my RAV4 averages 21.5MPG. One tank gets 19, the next, 23, and the next 21.5. Dealer says theres nothing wrong. So, if youre considering sacreficing the roominess and comfort of a larger SUV to get better milage with a RAV, think twice.

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  Fuel Economy - 2007 Toyota Prius
  By PRin NM - August 14 - 7:56 pm

  I drove this 07 for 4000 miles in Florida, then cross country to NM in late March. Averaged 51-52 mpg at sea level in mixed driving. Now 52-53 mpg at 7000 ft. altitude. I just learned something very interesting today. Toyota service rep. informed me that the car runs everything on electric. The gas engine is there only to recharge the battery! To maximize fuel economy, minimize gas engine operation. Accelerate rather quickly to operational speed and then drive with a light foot. Coast whenever possible. I love this car! My only negative is the inability to raise the drivers seat. My wife is 55" and cannot see nearly as well using the rear view mirror as I can.