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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  So Far So Good - 2001 Toyota Sequoia
  By rangermutt - December 4 - 2:51 am

  I purchased this used the summer of 2011 with 130,000 miles on the odometer and would never have purchased it with that many miles had I not seen records of the service that the original owner religiously followed at a local Toyota dealership. A new transmission was put in at just under 60k miles but otherwise the areas of complaint that I have read about including undersized brakes, frame rust-through and cracked exhaust headers I have not experienced (yet). I installed a trailer brake controller for towing a twin-axle 14 foot cargo trailer with GVWR of 6,500 lbs. I will also be driving it in the winter when the snow is too deep for my Miata.

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  Great SUV - 2007 Toyota Highlander
  By gmh1013 - December 4 - 1:13 am

  No problems at all. Moved across country in it, could use a few more HP maybe 175 on the 4 cyl but thats it. Avg 24 mpg between city and hwy in 8k miles. Use havoline 0w20 motor oil in it.

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  Great Car! - 2001 Toyota 4Runner
  By Charles - December 3 - 6:57 pm

  These cars are extremely reliable! I have had my 2001 4runner with 200,000 miles on it for 13 years. These things will climb anything, and the only problem i have ever had with it is that when it is rainy, the alternator belt squeaks. Overall, these cars are incredibly amazing!

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  Better than expected - 2005 Toyota Echo
  By Inkentucky - December 2 - 2:50 pm

  When I bought this, I was coming from a 03 Lexus GS300, so I was dreading it, but driving 50+ miles each way to work, I really couldnt justify not having a little commuter car. The manual has been really nice, the ride has been fine, the acceleration is much better than expected. It drifts a little side to side on the interstate but I expect its due some steering work or new shocks and struts. Has 109k miles on it, and typically gets 37 mpg. Very pleased.

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  10 years of quality and reliability - 2006 Toyota Avalon
  By Jim squier - December 2 - 12:55 pm

  She has a few dings and scratches and arm rest has a tear in it from my elbow over the years. The car has never been in the shop except for oil changes every 3000 miles, new skins, breaks and the recommended maintenance checkups. She runs like a champ!

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  Best Car Ever Owned - 1994 Toyota Camry
  By Advisor2010 - December 2 - 8:00 am

  I bought this car new and have put >223k miles on it. Form, fit and function are exceptional. The 3.0 L engine runs like a Lexus - smooth and reliable. I agree with the other reviewers about the poor low end torque, but not about the mileage. My typical city/highway mileage was 20 mpg, and I have never gotten better than 24 mpg. I have had owned Chevy and Olds, and neither is as solid an automobile as the Camry. This ones a keeper.

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  So Far - So Good - 2007 Toyota Tundra
  By CRSII - December 2 - 7:06 am

  Purchased the 4WD EC Limited TRD 1 week ago. Only +/- 120 miles but so far very impressed. Researched all comparable trucks for 6 months before making purchase. Engine is a beast! Not as impressed with the 6 speed tranny as I expected. The 5 speed in our 05 Sequoia is smoother. However, truck is brand new so I may be overly sensitive given some reports of tranny issues I have read. Ride is a bit choppy with the TRD package but I think it will soften over time and the price ($105) with the Limited makes it a no-brainer. Topped off after 1st 1/2 tank of gas and calculated at 12.4 MPG with all driving in town.

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  Gas milege is so disappointing - 2010 Toyota Corolla
  By ny1301 - November 30 - 6:23 pm

  I just bought a 2010 Corolla to replace my 1996 Corolla which had served me loyally over 10+ years. However I found with the 2010 corolla, I only got a 30mpg on high way (I commute 80 miles a day), while my old corolla made at least 33 mpg. How disappointed I am! Also there is a bit noise from engine. I am not sure if that will turn to a bigger problem in a year or two. My old corolla was very quite when I bought it.

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  Great little car - 2001 Toyota Echo
  By WBoro - November 30 - 10:00 am

  I bought the ECHO new for my wife to drive because Toyota has been known to make cars with very few problems and we didnt have the extra money to buy a larger car. This car has been great. We get 40 mpg on the highway, plus some diving in town. The most mileage that we have gotten is 43 mpg. I had one size wider tires put on the car to help with car waving as big trucks would pass. Also I have been using Mobil 1 oil. I would recommend this car for someone that has a lot of driving to do and needs a car they can depend on.

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  Go ECHO Go - 2000 Toyota Echo
  By Speedy - November 30 - 1:20 am

  I got this little car from my mom (she got it new) in Oct of 1999. She loved it, and drove it 180000 mi. with NO problems. Now I have it and WOW! 41 mpg AVG. and its AUTO, and it flies. This is my 5th Toyota and maybe the best one.