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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  200,000 mile report (Automatic Trans) SR5 - 2001 Toyota Tacoma
  By cst010 - February 14 - 12:06 am

  Wanted to report that the Tacoma has reached the 200,000 mile marker. Normal maintenance so far: belts, timing belt, water pump, and cat converter. Oil changes performed at 3000 miles every 3000 miles. Truck runs great. Body and interior holding out great. I do take care to keep it clean and waxed. Dome light has failed (constantly burns them out) and one light for the fan switch has failed- I have not replaced. Miles are mostly highway and the truck has not been off-roaded. I hope to be able to write a 300,000 mile review. No rattles to date! Great truck so far. Couple of more years and maybe I will have gotten my monies worth outta it.

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  Get the V6!! - 1998 Toyota Camry
  By Average Joe - February 13 - 6:46 pm

  I bought my camry used in 02 with 54k already on it. Ive added 40k miles cross country and up and down the East coast. The water pump broke at about 70k miles and took out the timing belt ($400 to repair), but otherwise Ive not had any problems. Id definitely buy the V6 - mines a 4-cylinder and is fine for regular driving but doesnt have much of any reserves of power when you need it. I find the seats very comfortable and I love the interior layout. The fuel economy is great, too - I can go over 500 miles on one tank on the highway (Ive gotten as much as 33 mpg).

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  Love/Hate relationship - 2006 Toyota Tacoma
  By pamela - February 12 - 6:16 am

  I have only owned Toyotas and I loved my last two Tacoma trucks so much I went for the new 2006. I loved the room of a four door and I have a 66 son who needed to fit into it with his size 18 shoe. The long bed was a must because I ride bikes and wanted to throw them in the back. I wanted a navigation system and bluetooth but they were not avaliable. The hate part... at almost $5 a gallon, I put in $85 at every fill up! It is killing me! The gas mileage is the worst, 340 miles for every $85 and rising. Toyota needs to make a fuel efficent truck soon! Please!

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  Best Daycare Mini Van - 2006 Toyota Sienna
  By Best Daycare Ride - February 11 - 4:53 am

  We bought a Sienna Mini Van for my in home daycare business. I really love the space, 6 cd changer, rear air control where the back seat riders can control, controls on the steering wheel, compass, temp reading for the outside, just there is nothing bad about this van. The only things I would just like to see change is two automatic door openings for the CE, and a few of my friends and my husband says when there a passenger and we turn left it feels like there is to much body roll. Other than those two things, I really give this a 5 star rating.

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  Some Reservations After 300 Miles - 2008 Toyota Highlander
  By paktype - February 11 - 12:10 am

  I took delivery of my silver 08 Highlander Sport with 4wd in August. After three weeks and 300 miles, I have the following, admittedly small, reservations. 1) The steering is too light and doesnt offer enough "feel" of the road. 2) The interior uses some cheap-looking and cheap-feeling plastic (probably to keep the Highlander from usurping Lexus buyers). 3) Handling is surprisingly squirrely on the highway (a lot of little course corrections needed) despite the 4wd. This could be a problem inherent with the 19 inch wheels and tires. 4) Drivers side power window switches are blocked slightly by inside door pull handle. Not bad, but enough to be annoying.

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  A great car - 1992 Toyota Camry
  By schmidbo - February 10 - 10:00 am

  Im headed to 200,000 miles with the XLE. Usual stuff has been replaced (brakes, timing belt, radiator etc) and the car just keeps on going. A great smooth ride.

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  Great little car! - 1998 Toyota Corolla
  By eemg6 - February 10 - 10:00 am

  My parents got me this car to drive to college and they have not regretted it. At 5,142 miles, it has plenty of pep-my mother prefers to drive it than her Lexus! The fuel economy is excellent, and the saftey features are also very appreciated. The only problem I have had is the passenger side power window/lock piece springing up-but the dealer replaced it with no charge. It is definately a fun, reliable, and practical car. I would most certainly recommend the Toyota Corolla.

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  Breaking the Corolla Legacy - 1998 Toyota Corolla
  By S Leney - February 10 - 10:00 am

  Ive always been a big Toyota fan and the reliability of the Corolla speaks for itself. So I was shocked to learn that at 70K miles Im suddenly burning 1L oil/500 miles. My dealer has recognized this as an increasingly common problem with corollas with the aluminum block engine. Botton-line, engine rebuild even earlier than your average Dodge. BEWARE!

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  Great little car - 2001 Toyota Corolla
  By farrellcsun - February 10 - 10:00 am

  I really like my 2001 Toyota Corolla S. I like it for its great fuel economy and spunky little engine. The styling both inside and out can be a little more adventurous, but you dont become a best-seller on looks alone. THe quality is top notch and i havent had any major problems with it at all (I am a heavy driver). Of course the interior is a little cramped, but its a COMPACT people! If you want something bigger, get a Camry or ACcord! Otherwise, i highly recommend this car.

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  2003 Avalon is still noisy - 2003 Toyota Avalon
  By Mary Payne - February 10 - 10:00 am

  I heard something like wind noise in the front. The salesman, of course, said no, no. He couldnt hear anything. This is a luxury car. The audio system was fabulous. The salesman was talking. I turned off the music. I asked him to be quiet. On surface streets, it was lovely. The fan was blowing when I took it onto the freeway. But after I purchased it and drove it on the freeway all alone and with everything turned off, there is DEFINITELY noise. I still cant pinpoint it or figure out how this can be.