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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  my truck - 2002 Toyota Tacoma
  By victor benaqvidez - May 17 - 7:30 pm

  from the day i bought this vehicle i have had few if any problems. it performs like a dream and has never left me high and dry. i would recommend it to all my friends and relatives.

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  No recall but beware - 2009 Toyota RAV4
  By Ricky - May 17 - 3:46 pm

  My wife was picking up son from school in this vehicle and car accelerated with her foot on the brake. Took car to dealer and was told it was from Japan and no problems had been reported and no recalls we in effect. They did mash brake to try and duplicate problem but refused to replace anything. My wife and daughter get carsick so I have to ride in back seats when we travel as a family. Front seats are comfortable but rear is stiff and hard to adjust. We have bought 3 new Toyotas in our lifetime but this was our last. My wife was mad and scared after her experience so we traded for a Chevy the next weekend.

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  We own both 2002 Tahoe & 2003 Sequoia! - 2003 Toyota Sequoia
  By mikeanddaph - May 17 - 2:00 am

  Finally a review from someone who owns both! TAHOE pros... acceleration, seat comfort, interior layout, towing, interior lighting. Tahoe cons... engine lite flashes for no reason, steering too sensitive on highway, radio is tinny at low levels, bad mpg, OVERALL 8.5/10 SEQUOIA pros... reliability, exterior styling, power rear window, retractable mirrors Sequoia cons... interior lighting, Seat style/comfort, dash layout (Wiper switch goes on when I put in park!), door mounted swithes are too small!, bad MPG. OVERALL 7.5/10.

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  230,000 mi and NO repairs needed - 1995 Toyota Tacoma
  By Sean93535 - May 17 - 2:00 am

  Briefly, I am the original owner and have only had to do maintenance. Well there was that body work, but that doesnt reflect on the reliability of these trucks. I am spoiled by this vehicle and am afraid to buy a new one because my standards have become so high. Another tidbit, It still has the original clutch, and I have never babied it!

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  Good quality car. - 2003 Toyota Corolla
  By Jay123 - May 17 - 2:00 am

  After 10 months of driving I have very few complaints and thats a major plus because I am hard to please and very critical of anything I purchase that cost several thousand dollars. I expect perfection and the 2003 Corolla almost delivers.

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  Toyota braking - 2010 Toyota Tacoma
  By tacoma10 - May 16 - 8:21 am

  Toyota recently determined driver error as the cause of braking problems. As a driver of a Tacoma, I can see how this can happen. The brake pedal (on automatic transmission models) is very close to the accelerator pedal. I have on numerous occasions mistakenly hit both at the same time. This happens for me when I am wearing boots or larger width shoes. I have to be very conscious of this lack of space between pedals.

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  Transmission Problems - 2009 Toyota Camry
  By First Camry - May 15 - 1:13 pm

  This was my first new toyota purchase. After a lot of consumer report reviews, 2009 Camry was my first choice. This is an excellent, comfortable car to drive. But, we are having troubles with the downshifting on the auto transmission. This transmission can go into a "gear hunt" looking for a gear to drop into when downshifting. Also can drop into a lower gear without cause so the car will nose dive. Camrys had transmission troubles in the past... they could be back for 2009.

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  Not up to Toyota hype of Quality - 2005 Toyota Avalon
  By My First Toyota - May 14 - 8:56 am

  In for service many, many times for rattles and squeaks. Noise was in both front and back of vehicle. Original set of tires lasted 19,000 miles and was told by the dealer this is common for that car. They are expensive to replace as are the wiper blades. Rear brakes showing more wear than front (odd for a front wheel drive car) and will have to be replaced in approx. 5-10 thousand miles. Mileage on the road is down about 3 miles per gallon since new. All in all I guess I am disappointed in my Toyota ownership experience. It is not that it is a bad vehicle, but it simply does not live up to the quality Toyota advertises.

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  2009 Toyota Matrix - 2009 Toyota Matrix
  By 2009 Toyota Matrix - May 14 - 3:20 am

  I have had my Matrix for one year today and have loved every minute of it. I drove my first Matrix as a rental car in 2005 and had wanted one ever since but did not like the 1.8 liter engine. When I found out that the car had been redesigned in 2009 with a 2.4 liter engine I jumped on the chance to get it. The gas mileage is a little low but is well worth it in my book. I would definitely recommend the Matrix if you want both the hauling capability of a small truck and the ability to haul four people easily.

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  trunk open button too close to view button - 2018 Toyota Camry
  By bill t - May 13 - 3:23 am

  1. On XLE with driver assist, the 360 view button is next to trunk opener button. I wonder if someone accidentally touching it may cause the trunk to open while driving. This is a usability flaw. 2. I would wish for the more European look of the Accord although I really like the active safety features found on Camry. 3. In California, there is no way to order driver assist pkg with navigation (integrated real navigation instead of the connected fake navigation), not even driver assist pkg with audio pkg without the panoramic roof. I see only in FL you may configure without the panoramic roof.