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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  Super Duper - 2016 Toyota Highlander
  By hayler osborn - January 5 - 10:19 pm

  We replaced our 2006 Highlander about a month ago. Actually we kept it also we liked it so much. The new Highlander is fabulous. Super comfortable. Great acceleration. Very solid tight ride. Spacious interior. Great for long trips which we take often. CR gives it its highest rating for a reason. Some of the items above were given an ok or N/A rating because we havent had the car long enough, except the navigation which actually is just OK. This seems to be the case on many of the built in systems.

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  Great Reliable Truck - 2005 Toyota Tacoma
  By Jaime - January 5 - 5:50 pm

  I got an Ext. Cab with TRD-Off Road Package. The truck is excellent in everyday driving. I drive through country roads with only 1 lane(in each direction) and find myself passing other trucks and vehicles all the time. Very dangerous but I have enough power to do it quickly! Very reliable truck, already have 50K in it and the engine and paint are as good as new. I drive fast and only get 17.5 MPG, but when I slow down I reach up to 19.5 MPG.

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  Fun SUV - 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser
  By Dave - January 5 - 10:13 am

  The FJ Cruiser has been the most enjoyable SUV to drive. Everything about the FJ has been great. The craftmanship is excellent. I dont have enough praise for it. Its no wonder that Toyota is going to dominate the auto world.

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  Its all good from here! - 2002 Toyota Echo
  By Joshie - January 5 - 8:46 am

  This car is the best car for your money. It is so roomy and has so much storage it seems unnecessary to have the amount that it does. I have had 5 people in my car and everyone fits comfortably. I am also 68" and I fit in with no problem. Although the fuel economy is not what is listed (28 city) I think I drive too fast to get what is listed, but highway seems very good. Even though this car is small it can sustain a speed hovering around 80 mph. This car is great.

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  A GREAT CAR - 2009 Toyota Avalon
  By LEONIDIS - January 4 - 7:30 pm

  I have driven Avalons since 1996. I have owned the 1997, 2001,2003,2005,2006, and now the 2009. This is by far the best Avalon of the bunch. It is the most refined, the best handling, and the most comfortable. My car is loaded with everything, but the remote starter. I noticed that handling on back, winding country roads is much improved over my 2006, and I have more road feel. I happen to be a car nut, and an Older Gentleman, and this vehicle fills all of my current automotive desires. Of course, I do not expect it to be a racing machine, and know what to expect, since I have driven Porches, Maseratis, and Citroens. Bottom Line, this is the best Avalon yet.

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  Great Quality - 2002 Toyota Camry
  By Jim Linne - January 4 - 11:50 am

  This is my first Toyota. Ive owned 21 cars over the past 30 years of driving. The camry is quiet, roomy and totaly trouble free. Just under 40,000 miles and still rides and handles like the day I brought it home from the dealer. I love the dash layout, everything in easy reach. 192 HP is more than enough for passing quick acceleration when needed.

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  Dodge, Chevy, Ford, WHO? - 2005 Toyota Tundra
  By ML Lejeune - January 4 - 9:26 am

  everyone thought I had lost my mind. A Japanese truck? Like riding in a Caddie, electric everything, smooth ride, v-6 plenty of power, but a bit easier at the tank. Great body style and the dependability of a toyota. Seats are plush and comfy, plenty of leg room. mirrors re-adjust with ease so both my husband and I can drive with little adjustment. If gas were a little cheaper I would go get another for myself, as it is the Nissan sits in the garage more than the Tundra.

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  Checking-in at 47,000 miles - 2004 Toyota Sienna
  By jaazcass - January 4 - 4:57 am

  1) Sliding door not working properly: The minivan has one automatic sliding door and one manually operated sliding door. Shortly after purchase we recognized that the manually operated sliding door is not getting closed. After multiple visits at dealer service garage they told us that we should multiple times slam the door until it is properly closed. The problem is, if the door is not ajar the interior lighting is remains permanently on and it drains the battery over night. This is the second battery, which is not working anymore and I must purchased the third. 2) Brakes: All four brakes (disk and path) needed to be replaced before 40,000 miles 3) Brake noise: During turning the brakes makes noise. The service garage changed the front brakes one more time after it was replaced before, but the problem didn’t go away. 4) Safety built sensor damaged: The safety built warning light was blinking permanently until the sensor was replaced. 5) Air-conditioning: The air conditioning failed during a vacation trip. Toyota service told us that this was to be replaced anyhow due to a recall. 6) Under chassis plastic part fall of: Parts were replaced. 7) Tire Inflation Monitoring (TIM) signal: The left rear tire was replaced. Since the TIM warning light is blinking. After 3 visits to the service garage a permanent fix was not possible. Still blinking. At least they have used a high quality bulb, because I was hoping the bulb will be damaged. I try to find the fuse and deactivate the TIM,s module, because the service garage have no ideas anymore to fix it. 8) All four tires needed to replaced before 40,000 miles 9) All service and repairs was performed at authorized and certified Toyota dealer ship. My rational for buying for Sienna was, because at that time this was the only minivan with AWD, which is really important for Michigan winter driving condition. Additionally Sienna 2004 offered the Electronic Stability Control, which is an important safety feature. The price was higher compare to other minivan such as Honda Odyssey, but I was thinking that the premium price I am paying for this minivan is justified for the high quality of Toyota. At that time there was a quality image associate with Toyota. My wife, when she saw the Sienna for the first time she didn’t like the appeal of it. She told me that this minivan has a charm like “a used toothbrush”. I encouraged her to buy this minivan for the good quality and now my wife never lessons to me for car buying decisions.

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  I LUV my PRIUS - 2005 Toyota Prius
  By KNB - January 4 - 4:43 am

  I love the virutal zero emissions more than anything else!

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  Best bang for the buck - 2007 Toyota RAV4
  By brakemans - January 4 - 3:50 am

  I had an Audi A3 AWD V6, which was too small for what I wanted so I traded it in for a RAV4 V6 4WD. Although these two vehicles are in different classes, the RAV4 is just as quick and fast as the A3, but offers more room for cargo and passengers. You cant beat the room that the RAV offers and you certainly cant beat the price. Although I do miss the heated seats on the A3, I dont miss anything else.