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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  Good on gas, horrible build quality. - 2012 Toyota Corolla
  By thedriver93 - August 30 - 3:05 am

  I bought this car to get out of my gas guzzler of an SUV in a highlander. I was happy when I bought it but my tires and rims were stolen 3 days later and that just ruined my whole experience with this car. Its great on gas, $30 bucks gets you a full tank and over 350 miles in range. This is an point A to point B car, no more. This car gets no turning heads, jealous looks, except maybe from gas guzzling truck and SUV owners, but thats it. This start to fall apart with the cheap plastics and I had to snap them back into place every single time I got into this car, horrible build quality. Seats were really comfortable for cloth seats.

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  Camry - Not as Good as Competition - 2003 Toyota Camry
  By Prashant - August 28 - 12:30 am

  Ive had my car for about 2 years. I dont like it whatsoever. The clock is positioned so poorly, that only the driver and passenger can see it (and thats if they are sitting upright). The car has poor pick up for a V6 with 190hp. The stereo and air conditioning are positioned too high for easy & comfortable access. The speakers and stereo overall are not as good. I would think that the company with, in my opinion the best luxury brand (Lexus), would provide a really classy car and luxurious. But Im wrong. Too bad, cause I really like Toyota.

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  Extremely disappointed - 2009 Toyota Corolla
  By Nicole - August 20 - 3:14 pm

  I wish I had had the car checked out by my mechanic friend before buying. I spent way too much on this car thinking Id finally have a reliable car only to have so many problems with this one!!! Im so frustrated right now. The transmission just went out after already spending money on it to get it fixed up. It looks great like theres nothing wrong with it. Ive only had it for three months. Im so bummed that I wasted my money on a worthless car!! Please think twice about buying this car, especially not a 2009. Those apparently have the most problems. Little did I know.

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  Extremely disappointed - 2009 Toyota Corolla
  By Nicole - August 20 - 2:37 pm

  I wish I had had the car checked out by my mechanic friend before buying. I spent way too much on this car thinking Id finally have a reliable car only to have so many problems with this one!!! Im so frustrated right now. The transmission just went out after already spending money on it to get it fixed up. It looks great like theres nothing wrong with it. Ive only had it for three months. Im so bummed that I wasted my money on a worthless car!! Please think twice about buying this car, especially not a 2009. Those apparently have the most problems. Little did I know.

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  From a 14 TRD SPORT, to 16 Taco to 16 Tundra. - 2016 Toyota Tacoma
  By SOCO TACO - August 20 - 12:04 pm

  I owned a 2014 Sport 4X and put almost 40K miles in two years so this about as fair as you are going to get. The redesign is 1000% spot on. Gauges are better to see, console is not a small box, the truck interior fits. Its now the correct size. Big improvement. The smaller 3.5 Lexus based engine is a big improvement for response. The previous 4.0 would move, but it took a little to get it going. With the 3.5 it wants to go and maybe a little too much. There an electronic trans control which manages the RPMs, and shift points and it feels like a 25hp kick. Push the button and stomp the gas and it will leave the 4.0 handily. At almost 5000 feet here in Colorado the "ECT" button is nice, but if you are not towing or need it in elevation I doubt you will ever use it. With the 14 I would have liked a 6spd and now I have one, and that is the biggest flaw in the 16. The transmission shifts too much and at the slightest grade. The old 4.0 would chug up a small hill and the 3.5 has to barrel up it full throttle and kills the hwy mpg. On flat ground, with a little tail wind I am sure the 16 will top close to 30 hwy mpgs. Toss in a grade or headwind and forget it. My 14 pulled 24.9 from Durango to Colorado Springs and that included Wolf Creek and Leveta Pass with the I-25 climb home. I read where Toyota went to a 2:90 rear end gear from a 3:25 in the Gen 2. The 16 autos need a lower rear end gear to smooth out the auto and aid in hwy mpgs. The Gen 3 is better laid out on the inside, handles and brakes better, and is noticeably quieter. The complaint about it being noisy is false. The power is there plus extra. The headlights are not quite as good as the 14 but close. I like the 16 because of the improvements, but in hindsight I would not have traded my 14 because of the auto transmission shifting issue. If you have a Gen 2 wait for awhile to see if there really is an issue with the trans or its just a few of us with it. TW forums has a list of threads from people with the 6spd complaints. I traded that Taco. Transmission is junk. Cannot tow like the 4.0, and a big disappointment. Take a look at the used lots, they loaded with gen 3 Tacos. Would not recommend this if you tow where there are mountains. Skip it for a few years, Toyota has some serious work to do with the trans and engine combo. My 16 Tundra is a dream, but its big. If you drive with fuel economy in mind, you should be in the low 20s. What 16 struggled towing the Tundra doesnt notice, and it shouldnt. Wish I still had my 14 Taco, but the Tundra makes up for it in Aces.

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  Reliability...what reliability!?! - 2008 Toyota Camry
  By Steve - August 15 - 3:53 am

  My family has always owned Toyotas and reliability was always ok but not perfect. When it came time to pick a car for myself after graduating I thought the sensible thing would be to buy a Camry. I was wrong. This car has been nothing short of a nightmare. In less than a years time of ownership, I now know almost everyone at the dealer service desk by name! First it was transmission problems which have never been completely resolved. A dead battery caused by electrical issues,(not my fault) that left me stranded. Radio died after only 3 months. Exterior paint has not held up well though first winter. Other more minor issues including a tail-light bulb that keep going out.

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  Things To Consider - 2000 Toyota Tacoma
  By jwh - August 11 - 2:00 am

  I have 90,000 miles on my V6 prerunner. I have not had any major problems. I have a faint whistle when I excelarate and sometime when I let off the gas. My TRD stickers crack and peel. I also have a rattle in my dash. The truck is sporty and fun, it has plenty of power but there seems to be a some kind of timing problem with transmission towing a 2500lb boat including trailer and gear. It will jump out of overdrive. If I take it out of over drive on hwy it over revs the engine. The tires that came on truck are too big for it 31/10.5 the truck is not heavy enough to compress the tires to smooth them out.

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  Tacoma 08 -- 2 wheel drive - 2008 Toyota Tacoma
  By Swiss - July 28 - 10:00 am

  2008 Tacoma; purchase from Hunt. Bch. Toyota; driven ONLY in Calif. 1) Looks nice; good color; dark blue 2) Interior ;good color, dark gray 3) BAD Mileage; about 13 to 15 freeway 4) BAD Interior; easily dinged plastic 5) BAD Contract with dealership 6) BAD ; bait and switch; alarm sold me expensive/put in junk 7) Toyota motor corp is non responsive mfg is again not doing anything to deal with stalling & mileage & fraud ! Never again> no Toyotas a dangerous vehicle. Stay away from hb Toyota and Toyota products>>

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  why toyota why - 2005 Toyota Matrix
  By ctmatrix - July 28 - 1:13 am

  Toyota 5 speed matrix owner--- this car is a great care and i will miss her.This toyota is going on her second transmission at 160k, one trans came with the car the second one came from toyata parts dept new. Toyota says no know problems with 5/speed they must not look online,or why do they stock so many in the wharehouse if there is no problem. I can see clutch problems from many driving styles but the trans imploding and the clutch and p plate and throwout bearing are still fine. Toyota you are on your way to being GM---we do not know anything about your problem. The matrix is a great car buy the automatic-- Toyata will not stand behind the 5/speed Car will go 300k or 3 5/speeds why

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  Looks cheap and feels cheap - 2009 Toyota Venza
  By Anjali - July 23 - 11:03 am

  At barely 6 months this vehicle has started to fall apart. Rattles from the air vents and door panel. The ride is awful, feel like I am riding a truck, and the steering feels "spongy". Looks like this was designed by a "cheap" engineer, instead of a chief engineer. With this poorly executed car/van, Toyota has proven that they have a lot of work to do before they can catch up to the quality, at least of ride quality and fit and finish, of rapidly improving Korean cars.