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:

• 

  Bad! - 2004 Toyota Prius
  By Jessie D - May 19 - 8:06 pm

  I owned this car for three and a half years, used about 60,000 miles and it was awesome until it rained, snowed or was windy at all. I felt completely unsafe, and scared during any storm or driving on snow. The seats were decently sized, but hard as rocks. The gas mileage was the reason I bought it, and that stayed true to what was said about how great it was. I ended up buying a Honda SUV because this car scared me so much to drive even on a sunny day with lots of wind. I now feel so much safer, and would never purchase another small Toyota again.

• 

  Too many problems - 1995 Toyota 4Runner
  By slowry88 - May 14 - 10:00 am

  Several minor problems and one major problem (Head Gaskets). The wheels need balancing often, radiator leaked, minor electrical problems, shocks are going. These were all minor compared to the head gaskets that blew with only 80,000 miles on the car. The Toyota service center told me that this was "high milage." Thats funny, their sales staff contend that the car should run to 200k. Total cost of repair will exceed $2000.

• 

  TOYOTA Recall entune 3.0 and Scout GPS - 2018 Toyota Camry
  By bob - May 9 - 9:52 pm

  TOYOTA Recall entune 3.0 and Scout GPS

• 

  Regularly Irregular - 2007 Toyota RAV4
  By H.Markm - May 9 - 4:00 pm

  I bought it because of the 6 cyl. My Honda had 6. It got 20-21 mpg in city. Only getting 17. Have transmission difficulties that dealer says dont exist. Have filed with NTSA. Have to drive like stick shift mode (its an automatic) just to get it to drive/shift in a normal pattern. It either bogs down/lags or takes off. There is no happy medium. Would be happier with manual transmission at this point. I shopped for almost 2 years, made my decision and am not happy.

• 

  Faux Toyota - 2011 Toyota Venza
  By aapcowboy - May 8 - 3:05 am

  I bought this car back in January of 2012. It was a 2011 Demo. Had all options. I figured because it was a Toyota it would be economical. Well they put all the scheduled maintenance into my financing so thats a plus. Negatives are Huge. We went from a GMC Acadia 2009 to the Venza. Acadia a much longer and heavier vehicle. But better gas mileage than the Venza. The Venzas tank fills up on about $50-$60 depending on gas rates. I am in Houston where it runs about $3+-. The dash at full reads about 300 miles to empty. My Optima at full reads almost $500. My Acadia would read about 450. The other main negative is the lack of room in the hatch area. I am already wanting to trade it in.

• 

  Noise & Handling Problems Etc. - 2011 Toyota Avalon
  By mrfinnigan - April 26 - 8:44 am

  Road noise is excessive, I believe it is because of the Bridgestone tires. Also it is difficult to keep car from drifting all over the lane expecially when there is a little breeze. There is no valet lockout for trunk. Volume speed control on radio does not work. Cant see display on radio in daylight. Cant hear directional signal.

• 

  Its no Chevy... - 2004 Toyota Tundra
  By twit - April 26 - 2:00 am

  Ive been a Chevy owner for the past five years...The Tundra is good for people who arent particular about space...I think the Chevy has more leg room...The Tundra is faster off the line than the Chevy, but I dont think Ill buy another Toyota...Not to mention the gas mileage is worse than in my Avalanche...and my Avalanche was 4WD, and my Tundra isnt...oh well, if you know anybody who wants to buy a Limited Tundra, Ill be selling my by January 04...

• 

  Solara - 2004 Toyota Camry Solara
  By solara - April 23 - 2:33 pm

  Had an Avalon and now Solara, Avalon better overall better body construction and overall comfort. Would recommend Avalon over Solara. Doors are too heavy for the hinges and are hard to open. Gas mileage about 25 mpg without air running. Car extremely quiet when running at idle.

• 

  Cheap quality but fun - 2005 Toyota Tacoma
  By jake - April 20 - 10:53 am

  Bought used with 50,000 and now my transmission went out, clutch, shocks, and the grill flew off on the free way. Its still a blast to drive and I like the styling and the size with a six speed manual. It needs more horse power and insulation. Bumpy all most drove off the free way twice.

• 

  One of the blunders I made - 2011 Toyota Sienna
  By BG - April 20 - 1:30 am

  As if the buying experience was less haunting, the new sienna that I bought makes be regret every minute I drive it. One of the blunders I made when I didnt test drive other minivans before buying the Sienna just because it had AWD. I wish I listened to my friends who bought the Odyssey. The engine is so noisy, especially during acceleration, sometimes during turning quickly, the steering wheel seems non- responsive and of course it is a little too big to make driving fun. The acceleration is not always the same sometimes it is good while sometimes, it doesnt shift to the next gear. The dash looks like cheap plastic. I have been in the drivers seat only and I do not like it.