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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  Very Disappointing - 1999 Toyota Sienna
  By zee - November 4 - 2:00 am

  I bought the Sienna with high hopes but I am really disappointed with its performance. The drive is not fun at all, the brakes give problems all the time, wind and road noise is high and visibility is pretty poor.

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  Not a happy Camper - 2006 Toyota Avalon
  By Toyota owner - October 26 - 11:43 am

  Have owned several Toyotas in the past including a Corolla and a Sienna van. So naturally when it came time to replace our old Acura Legend, the Avalon sprang out as the logical choice. My biggest regret is not doing more research on this vehicle before purchase. From day one it always had a nervous shifting transmission and rather hard seats. It accelerates really well and is rated at good gas mileage. Too bad it has never acheived what the sticker says I will get. Have never seen 22 in the city or 31 on the highway ever! Using a good old fashioned calculator I typically am getting around 20-21 mpg in surburban driving and 26-27 on the highway. Road noise is high and the exterior is bland.

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  Problematic - 2010 Toyota Camry
  By Downs - October 26 - 4:49 am

  I bought my 2010 Camry with 87,000 miles on it. I have had it for just over a year, and have taken two nearly 1,000 mile trips on top of daily driving in the city. At first, it was great. I was excited because Camry has always been known as being a good, reliable car. For about 4 months now, I have been having transmission problems (slipping in lower gears, no fluid leaks), and the trunk is leaking. I have found water in the trunk on numerous occasions. Both of these problems have been attempted to be fixed by a dealership mechanic with no luck. Its pretty sad that my husbands 1996 Neon has been a much more reliable car than my 2010 Camry..

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  Will NEVER buy again - 2006 Toyota Corolla
  By Horrible Car - October 21 - 6:10 am

  We were overseas on military orders and ran into problems while under extended warranty at only 30,000 miles. Fought with Toyota for 6 months and received no help until MANUAL transmission stalled on the highway!! UNACCEPTABLE. Laundry list of repairs every time we go in. If you ever have problems with this car and expect good service FORGET IT!! Constantly was accused of not really having the extended warranty and was even charged for warranty work more than once and had to dispute. We are trading it in NEVER to buy a Toyota again.

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  Second Camry se NEVER AGAIN - 2012 Toyota Camry
  By Kerlyn guerrero - October 7 - 3:30 am

  Car had made with reciclaje materials poor quality interior Car is noise and shaking on the high way Toyota said is SE sport edition but the only sport is the paddle shift the suspension is horrible For call sporty car also rear bumper are miss lines The worst Toyota know the problem and just hidden from the customer I m stock with my car cause I paid a lot thinking this will be a long life car so now is no value on in

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  021932240 - 2002 Toyota Camry
  By liem nguyen - October 5 - 10:00 am

  I have a lot of problems with this vehicle, but the problem is still in the processing. the problem has been going on for the two months. The processing to fix is too slow. I need to provided to you this information because we will be service better in the furture. anyway I am still not hapy about my car. Thank you, costumer Liem Nguyen

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  Driver door wind noise driving me nuts - 2010 Toyota Corolla
  By gjungle1 - September 13 - 9:16 pm

  I have been a Toyota man for the past 22 yrs, so are my kids, my 2010 corolla sport has excessive wind noise coming from both front doors, 2 dealers looked at it, was told its a characteristic of car? To live with it. Sorry I owned a 1998 rav 4 soft top with no wind noise, my 88 corolla no wind noise for life of car. 500,000 km, and my daughter yaris no wind noise. Live with it? Quality really have gone down hill, I hate driving a Toyota!

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  Safey Problems - 2009 Toyota Tacoma
  By befuddled - September 12 - 1:36 am

  I would simply suggest anyone buying one pay particular attention to the automatic transmission. It is computer driven and you notice the transmission not engaging when it should after turns and when you start again say at a light and have not come to a complete stop. This could easily leave you in a vulnerable spot when you least expect it. Check Edmunds.com and read the complaints. Buyer beware as Toyota and the dealer will leave you high and dry with the phrase normal characteristic.

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  Great Truck Look / Actually Compact Car - 2009 Toyota Tacoma
  By JD Martin - September 9 - 10:00 am

  Downsized from Ram 1500. Big mistake. Could never get comfortable, was like sitting on 2x6 six inches off the ground. No interior storage space for tools, etc. as rear seat only folds down rather than seat portion folding up so very limited what can be carried in cab. Limited sight lines & blind spots even w/ rear seat head rest removed. Dont believe resell value propaganda - was hard to sell even at sharp discount w/ 6K miles. Hard to get in & out while working on farm. More car than truck.

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  too much money for no remote engine start - 2015 Toyota Sienna
  By mr. not happy - September 8 - 9:06 am

  we bought our son a jeep patriot cheapest jeep made 2010 model and it had auto engine start on its key fob we bought a 2015 XLE sienna and it dont auto start Toyota ripping people off we paid 38K for a van that should scratch your butt and start with a fob for that kinda money Not happy!!!!