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:

• 

  Amazing Reliability - 1998 Toyota Camry
  By she-ra - April 28 - 2:20 am

  Ive had this car five years, drove 150,000 miles, and have never had to take it to the shop! Incredible, amazing, wonderful reliability. Ill never buy anything but a Toyota again. Its such a perfect car that its only problem is that youll be bored with it long before it wants to die.

• 

  stay away from EVO system - 2012 Toyota Camry
  By cauciousbuyer - April 27 - 9:04 pm

  Great car to drive, nice interior

• 

  Very reliable and economical! - 2005 Toyota Prius
  By 3angelsfly - April 27 - 8:05 pm

  We now have 145,000 miles on our Prius and it has no mechanical problems and drives as good as it did when I purchased it with 67k. Still getting 45 mpg, and I dont drive easy. Cannot find a better car out there for the money and cost of ownership. Have done basic maintenance--oil changes, spark plagues, air filter, trans fluid, and a new 12V battery, and tires. Only thing that stopped working was the cd changer, but we use an ipod through the tape deck anyway. Still using original headlight bulbs, and brakes. Car handles well; very easy to drive, very good in snow and ice. Unfortunately, the car does not have comfortable seats, and is not sporty or fun to drive for a young man.

• 

  2012 Corolla LE - 2012 Toyota Corolla
  By x76 - April 26 - 10:34 pm

  Surprisingly roomy little car. Nicely styled. Acceleration is adequate but certainly not sporty. This is a very nice little car that has everything you need or want and nothing you dont need.

• 

  This car is awesome! - 2002 Toyota Corolla
  By turtlelady - April 26 - 9:54 pm

  I bought my Corolla in 2009 with just under 72k miles on it. I had a few issues at first but had it VERY thoroughly inspected (every nook & cranny) and found out the issue (the rear brake drums had never been turned), fixed it, and havent had a lick of trouble since. The car currently has 117k miles on it and runs like a dream. It had its first tune-up last summer and that improved the mpg by 4, so now it gets about 36 on the highway. I plan on driving it until it finally dies. Its economical, reliable, mechanically sound, and is just an all-around great car!

• 

  corolla 2003 Mi personal point of view - 2003 Toyota Corolla
  By Jose Olaizola - April 26 - 5:13 pm

  I like to drive my corolla, its fun to drive and very attractive, mine is red wine, corolla 2003 with sunroof, its a comfortable car. I need more stability in curve The tires 185-65-15 are very high, much better 16 wheels, with stability rear bar and rear brake disc with abs, no drums. brakes are weak.

• 

  Not a bad car - 2000 Toyota Avalon
  By surman - April 25 - 8:16 pm

  Roomy and comfortable. Fast and maneuverable. Some say its "old peoples car" but its fast, accelerates well. Interior and controls are well laid out.

• 

  The Best Toyota I Have Ever Owned - 2007 Toyota Camry Solara
  By Carole Wilk - April 24 - 8:36 pm

  I get about 20-22 MPG on the road. I installed the back up beeping sound to alert me if anything is in my path. The car has been great!! I love driving it. I have been a Toyota driver for years. This particular Solara has a Lexus look and feel.

• 

  Compare to 2004 - 2006 Toyota Tacoma
  By Cameron - April 24 - 8:33 pm

  Traded my 2004 TRD 4WD for this truck. Feel like completely different trucks. 06 feels/drives much heavier (it is). Despite increase in HP, doesnt feel any faster. Very comfortable, mileage is same on highway as 04 (20-22mpg) worse in city (16mpg or less!) which is very disappointing. Weight and size may mean that it doesnt off-road as well as 04, which was extremely capable. Plastic molding on wheel wells looks like it could damage more easily than on 04. Over-all I feel like they made big improvements on comfort and style but might have taken short cuts on durability. Verdict is still out. If you have an older Tacoma, think hard before trading on this one. its not a compact anymore!

• 

  My Puny Tacoma - 2016 Toyota Tacoma
  By Buster Hoffmaster - April 24 - 2:43 pm

  I previously owned a 2006 Tundra that I bought new and drove 160,000 miles....basically trouble free. I needed a new truck for a variety of reasons, but the Tundra had just gotten to "big truck" as it got older, so I focused on the Tacoma. I searched and searched for just the truck I wanted and finally found it....two states away (seems Toyota is not too keen on selling customers what they want....just what Toyota wants to build at the moment). But that is another story. Also, I realize that the complaints below are based on my experience owning a Tundra, which was a MUCH better truck. So as for the Tacoma, I get my truck, and my first trip is from Texas to Colorado for vacation. On the road, I discovered the three BIG DOWNERS about the truck almost immediately. The engine is very underpowered.......the transmission will drive you crazy with its constant downshifting just to get up a normal highway overpass, and the fuel economy is nowhere near what the manufacturer claims. Dont plan on any quick passing on the freeway. Wont happen. This engine is just not right for this size vehicle...... And the transmission........wow, what a piece of crap. Does a six-speed transmission really need to shift into THIRD just to get up an overpass?? I know this is really an engine/transmission problem, but you would think a company like Toyota could have figured this out a long time ago. Finally, this truck is supposed to get 20 MPG (I think) in the city. I get 14 (I am not an aggressive driver). I get 19 on the highway (driving the speed limit) and I think it is supposed to average 27 ? I have had it serviced at the dealership, and they assure me everything is as it should be. Really?? You should really be a died-in-the-wool Toyota fan to buy this truck.