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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  Worst Truck Ever Owned - 2008 Toyota Tundra
  By Kevin S - December 13 - 4:46 am

  Im 50 years old, professional with my own business, and Ive owned a truck from every full size truck manufacturer at one time or another. This truck is THE WORST, MOST UNRELIABLE truck I have ever owned. My last trouble truck was a Dodge, and I would give anything to get that truck back, as the troubles with that Dodge pale in comparison. Ive had the Toyota less than a year, and it is up for sale (I wanted to keep it at least 5 years). Issues so far: Brakes, transmission, torque converter, windshield leaks, constant "check engine" light, reverse lights quit working, transfer case leaks.

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  Overall Feels Like a Toy Car - 2009 Toyota Prius
  By rent11 - December 1 - 7:20 pm

  Ive had this car for a little over 6 months and am HATING the car. Im not hating the car because its a bad car, it was just not the right car for me. I was coming from 2006 Volvo S60R which had the most comfortable seats ever. The Prius seats lack any support and whats with no power seat option. I added every conceivable option to my Prius including Navigation, Bluetooth, Smartkey, JBL Audio and leather and I still cant stand this car. I know this car is meant for Fuel Economy but Toyota could have spent some money on comfort.

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  Wish I had bought something else. - 2004 Toyota Camry
  By JacobL - November 30 - 2:00 am

  Okay, wish I had looked around more before buying.

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  Very Unhappy - 2010 Toyota RAV4
  By Upset - November 27 - 7:40 am

  The vehicle has less than 3,500 miles and already needs a new camshaft. Its been in the dealership for 3 weeks and still has not been repaired. They are working on it.Dealership keeps telling me it will be soon.Ive contacted Toyota Motor Company and they have been ABSOLUTELY NO HELP. Once its repaired I will always have concerns about the reliability. I would never recommend buying this vehicle.

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  Disappointed - 2010 Toyota RAV4
  By Dave - November 22 - 2:16 am

  After 3,500 I am amending my review, and I now regret my purchase. Recall issues aside, I have a Denso pedal and my car is not on the list, I am beginning to think that Toyotas quality problems are not limited to the recalled parts. The transmission shifts abruptly at low speed, my drivers door handle sticks, my breaks squeak, rough idle, and my gas mileage stinks (best 23.5 on the highway at speed limit). When I was at Toyota for a recall inspection, I told the service manager and he replied, "Try putting premium gas in," which the owners manual says not to do. I paid too much money to be driving a vehicle reminiscent of a Ford.

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  2011 Venza- not what I expected! - 2011 Toyota Venza
  By mnharris - November 16 - 5:41 pm

  Its been a rather dissapointing 24 months with my Venza AWD. Its been in no less than 11 times for repairs, rattles in the dash/console, interior lights have quit working twice now along with all the dash backlighting, the automatic transmission sometimes has a very long delay before upshifting, Toyota has reflashed twice now and it works great for a few months then the problem returns....they now blame it on my driving style!?!? Im also very unhappy with the fuel economy, its downright V8 like at 15mpg average with a 50/50 mix of in town and interstate driving. Not sure Ill be keeping this one much longer.

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  Cracked dash board - 2006 Toyota Sienna
  By brie888 - November 15 - 11:14 am

  My Sienna has always been garage kept, low miles, used by a stay at home mom. My dash board has cracked from passenger side all the way to the driver side. Also, the car has never been wrecked. Contacted Toyota - typical response - out of warranty then we cant help you. Its kinda funny, because my husband just bought a Sequoia. Hubby thought maybe we will replace my car with another Toyota since dealer was negotiating. My repsponse was I wont own another Toyota!

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  Not what I Expected - 2007 Toyota Yaris
  By Beto Domin - November 11 - 11:00 am

  I was trying to get a car with high MPG and lowers costs with lots of fun and quality and bought the Yaris hatchback. After few weeks, I noticed that some of the interior materials are of questionable quality. Also, once Im on a highway at more than 55 MPH, I need to grab the steering with 2 hands as it feels unsecure, even worst at crosswinds. Im not getting the MPG advertised and Im not a heavy footer. All In all my expectations were high and Im ready to trade in.

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  Toyota Camry weld problems! - 2010 Toyota Camry
  By toyotalemon - November 7 - 7:50 am

  My son bought a new Camry from Dave Edwards Toyota, Spartanburg, SC -its been in the shop all but 5 days in 1 month, and is still there. Toyota is sending an Engineer to assess the faulty welds in the chassis. The car is making strange noises when when accelerate" and stop. The dealership tells him they are out of the picture - its between him and Toyota. Although he took it back within 3 days after he purchased it- bad weld on the chassis. It is now in the shop awaiting a Toyota Engineer who will advise how to weld without interfering with electrical parts - the noise is also coming from the rear and that is a separate issue. DO NOT BUY A TOYOTA! I feel so sorry for him!

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  Do not buy one!! - 2011 Toyota Venza
  By alititude2087 - November 6 - 12:26 pm

  Seems to be quite a few unhappy Venza owners writing reviews here, here is mine. Our car has 26,000 miles and also has the "common" transmission issues such as slow shifting, and a vibration while changing gears. Toyota calls all this behaviour normal. Ours has several rattles coming from the seats and dashboard, toyota has made two attempts to fix these only to have them return a shot time later. Our battery has gone dead for no reason THREE times. Just recently the A/C quit, and the ride feels much more bouncy than normal. Top this all off with a poor average of 17mpg mostly highway fuel economy- Terrible!!I hope I can get a good trade in value for this lemon!