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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  Vehicle has been a dissapointment so far - 2011 Toyota Venza
  By matheson1977 - July 20 - 9:05 pm

  Ive had several issues with this vehicle in the last year and half. A total of 14 seperate dealership visits with problems in areas such as- Battery, rattles and build quality issues, transmissiom, heated seats, stability control, and remote keyless system. Toyota service is awesome some days, and terrible the next. Im not the only Venza owner with a problem car as ive met several more just at my dealership. What happened Toyota? MY 00 4 runner feels better built at 200,000+ miles.

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  Poor Quality, Continuous Problems - 2015 Toyota Camry
  By Sorry Owner - July 19 - 1:24 pm

  Since the beginning this car has had problems. Actuators stopped working before 15,000 miles. Battery dies every time left for more than 4 days, even though battery has been replaced and dealer says nothing wrong with it. Air conditioner is sub-par -- the worst that I have ever had in any vehicle (including rental vehicles). Car was involved in accident at under 5 mph and suffered extensive damage. The material of the seats is also cheap and started cracking within 25,000 miles, even though leather treatment has been put on them. Dealer acts like none of these problems are experienced by other Camrys but have seen online similar complaints. Very disappointed. Will never buy another Toyota again.

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  Not worth the price/poor value/poor workmanship - 2009 Toyota RAV4
  By stew16 - July 16 - 10:58 pm

  questionable gas mileage at best, 4cyl is noisy, paint is the worst I have ever had on a vehicle, chipps to easily, toyota should put a full case of touch-paint in every vehicle. Has a tendency to accelerate, and the start stop button does not work as it is designed to do, alot of times the vehicle will not start when button is pressed. Toyota techs are even sure how to fix this problem nor can they explain how this is occuring with more frequency.

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  Really dont like this car... - 2011 Toyota Sienna
  By shallhb - July 14 - 1:29 am

  After really studying min-vans and SUVs, I decided on the Sienna, based partly on friends recommendations, based partly on experience with Lexus (a near Toyota). Purchased a limited in April. What a disappointment!. We paid for a aftermarket navigational device. It never arrived, and we got our money back in August. In September, I hit our gate and damaged a door. the car was in the shop for 5 weeks because Toyota didnt have the parts available (according to the body shop, at least). Its noisy, big and a rough ride. Mine is once again in the shop. Brake trouble this time.

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  What a Letdown - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By Papa - July 10 - 11:43 pm

  Comparing it to my 03 Camry, I have been frustrated by this cars lack of reasonable performance. The engine has a horribly long hesitation when trying to accelerate and the transmission downshifts with the slightest throttle pressure and on the most minor upgrades. I have averaged 25 mpg over 3800 miles, which is substantially less than the 30mpg I averaged with my 03. The dealer and factory have evaluated the car and agree with my concerns, but say there is no solution at this time. Buyers of 4-cyl 5AT - do extensive test drives on at least two different Camrys and compare to several competitors.

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  Must have been a lemon - 2003 Toyota Camry
  By Magdy - July 7 - 10:00 am

  I purchased my Toyota based on word of mouth. however, I didnt feel the car was all that great. Maybe my expectations were a little too high for a Camry. Turned out to be a major disappoinment. Had to replace tires at 15,000, then again at 21,000. Car has cheap interior design, 4-cylinder is extremely underpowered. Exterior design was sharp, however. I could not recommend this car to anyone. Others in its class are more exciting.

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  beware of rear axle clunk - 2006 Toyota Tacoma
  By lilBlueTruck - July 6 - 2:06 am

  I have barely 700 miles on my truck, started to notice this clunk coming from rear axle. They call it axle warp found 26,900 hits on google for "Tacoma Axle Wrap". All say Toyota denies it to be a problem. I am really tired of feeling rearended by my own drive train. What a piece of junk. Gas mileage is horrific, been driving it as gently as possible (as if I had a raw egg between my foot and the pedal). Gets about 8 miles to the gallon 60% highway - They say it will get better with more miles. will it get 3 times better. I feel tricked by Toyotas false marketing. Please check the web out about this clunk problem then decide if you want the chance of that.

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  A disaster! - 2003 Toyota Corolla
  By Tre - June 29 - 2:00 am

  It was a VERY bad decision on my part to buy this car. For the 11 months Ive had the car, it has been one problem after the other; failed driver power window actuator, stinky rotten egg smell most of the time, HAZARDEOUS to drive on a windy day, squirmy emergency braking, erratic idle, lousy fuel consumption in the winter, numerous rattles and a body that dings too easily. My 2001 Corolla was way better, but its too late to lament now.. Im selling this car once Ive driven it for 2 years to at least pay the interest on the car loan.

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  Car feels Cheap. - 2016 Toyota RAV4
  By Jimmy S - June 28 - 3:08 am

  Dont be fool by the look of this 2016 rav4. Car feels very cheap. Try closing and opening the door several times, changing volume knobs, temperature knobs, and adjusting the air vents , you will know they put a lot cheap materials in this car. Car makes loud noise when shifting from P to D. It also makes weird noise in the back of the car after I stop the car completely.

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  Buyer beware - 2003 Toyota Highlander
  By bk - June 27 - 2:46 am

  We purchased this car new and kept it dealer maintained for 7 years. I found it to be quite a reliable vehicle until recently. At 118,000 miles it developed a coolant leak. It was ultimately found to be due to stripped out threads in the engine block (i.e. the car needed a new engine ~ $7500.00). After discovering that I was not the only one to experience this problem (check online Toyota forums), I notified Toyota. The Rep stated, "Your engine may be defective, but we cannot help you because you are out of warranty." Beware of the 4 cylinder engine in the 03 Highlander! A dealer maintained vehicle is worthless, and Toyota has lost a customer. And so it goes.