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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  Nice vehicle but NOISY - 2016 Toyota Land Cruiser
  By Patti Hoffman - December 11 - 9:40 pm

  It took me a while to get used to the slow acceleration. The vehicle is comfortable but feels more like a truck than an SUV. Most disappointing is how noisy it is; the wind sound surrounding the car while driving is annoying enough that I have to turn the radio up. I dont know if perhaps its seal problem but I would definitely inquire at the dealership. I bought my vehicle after it sat on the lot for over 6 months so perhaps some of the seal integrity was compromised.

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  Wife loves it - 2007 Toyota RAV4
  By DAKOTAS DAD - December 11 - 8:13 pm

  I am handicapped and wife does all the driving. She loves everything about it! She just finds it fun and the least tiring of our other toyotas (four 6 cyl Camrys) We are on our 4th Toyota (I used to drive) and this is the best ever. It drives better with a full load, 4-5 people. The only thing I added is a wind/bug deflector.

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  LOW MAINTENANCE - 2001 Toyota Camry
  By Raul Davila - December 11 - 7:03 pm

  Excellent sedan, have had to change only filters, oil, battery, fluids, tires. Excellent ride, very comfortable front and back, good trunk space.

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  94 4-Door XLE V6 - 1994 Toyota Camry
  By Civil - December 11 - 3:46 pm

  This has been an absolutely wonderful car. It has 167k miles on it, and it just did a cross country trip yesterday getting 29 MPG. Not much more to say than its been a wonderful car!

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  I love it but - 2005 Toyota Matrix
  By nelly - December 11 - 1:33 pm

  I love the my matrix its very confortable with its high seats, it sits high like a SUV so that you will have a better view of the road, good pick up, but there is one thing that needs improvement and that is the mirrors they dont fold in, and that can be problem when parking on a busy or narrow street. But its still a great car.

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  Missing my RAV4 - 2007 Toyota RAV4
  By Car Nut - December 11 - 5:43 am

  In 2008, we needed to refresh our cars. I always like the look of the 2008 CR-V so I bought one. My wife really love it so she claimed it. Well, I was jealous but didnt want 2 CR-V on the driveway so I bought a 2007 RAV-4 instead. I must say, I love driving the RAV-4 better, I find it more solid, reliable and fun to drive. I didnt notice the difference in gas mileage between our 4 cyl CR-V to our V6 RAV-4. Recently we moved to a high-end neighborhood where everyone drives BMW, Lexus, MB, so we decided to get rid of both vehicles and buy me a RX350 and my wife a GX470. The only reason I am here is to vent how much I miss my RAV-4 with its "fun" qualities. OH the V6 POWER!

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  Poor Quality/Workmanship - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By Silas DuBard - December 11 - 4:46 am

  After purchase and arriving home, some- one noticed a body brace hanging down. Then I began to notice how flimsy the doors, bumpers,etc. are. Then I began to compare how well doors, trunks, etc fit compared to other makes of autos. About 2 years ago I noticed how paint chips off without noticeable reason. In fact, immediately after purchase and close examination, I noticed chips on the hood and front. Ordered some touch up paint from dealer which didnt work and you would have thought I was buying caviar. Taking your car back to the dealer is too costly, unreal. I recently went in because car would vibrate when braking. Well, this cost over 550 dollars. And I doubt it.

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  Smart Buy - 2005 Toyota Sequoia
  By spotbearsd - December 11 - 2:10 am

  I really disliked the idea of going back into another large SUV. I am so glad I did! I cross-shopped this with an Expedition, F150 Supercrew, Titan, Tundra, Pathfinder, Armada.The Sequoia was hands down the nicest driving. Its smooth as a Lexus (for a truck) and is not fluffed up or affected by gross depreciation like a Ford the minute its driven off the lot. Ford offered $3000 more for my trade and $2500 under invoice, but even with the higher price of the Toyota, it was clear which would be worth more in 6 months. The Toyota dealership was nothing special. Felt as though they really didnt try to sell the car. I had to really work at getting the price I wanted.Did not see the value in LIMITED model.

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  Still love it even with more problems - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By ToolTom - December 11 - 1:03 am

  I already wrote a review four months ago, but I need to add to it. They have finally fixed my transmission. I am very happy with it now. However, more problems have developed. There are still rattles in the dash and now the roof now has a bad rattle. Also, the paint is chipping terribly all over the car. Well, at least the car shifts better now!

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  Fan For Life - 2008 Toyota 4Runner
  By erRN - December 10 - 7:06 pm

  After driving an great AWD Subaru for 8 years I made the decision to upgrade to a larger vehicle. My original plan was to buy a Jeep Grand Cherokee with great styling, but after 8-9 months of research I found that almost all of the reviews of that vehicle were too scary to make an investment.I bought a 2008 SR5 used and I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS TRUCK! I have had it for 7 months now and, as my boyfriend says every time he gets in, "it drives like a cadillac". Quiet, smooth, and fun on the road. 22-24k a gallon highway. Ive owned a Wrangler in the past, and it doesnt even compare to the ride of the 4runner. Absolutely the best investment Ive ever made. I will keep it for as long as it drives!