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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  Defective cylinder head bolt threads - 2006 Toyota Highlander
  By sorrynow - January 9 - 8:53 pm

  We purchased this as a new vehicle and have been very pleased with it until today. We found out that we have a leak that can only be fixed by a $5000 bandaide that Toyota has defined in Toyotas techincal bulletin T-SB-0015-11. The bolt holes in the cylinder block must be tapped to install an insert to hold new bolts. We now have to find a way to replace this vehicle! So much for Toyota!

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  Mediocre Review - 2005 Toyota Camry Solara
  By bsb1 - January 9 - 10:00 am

  Lot of fun to show off and drive with the top down! Have had several quality issues including: paint peeling off the rear!, gear shift module (plastic component broke), alignment issues. All within the first 5000 miles! Cowl shake still noticeable. Stereo system is OK, although not remarkable (it is no Bose). Definately performs like a mid- level family sedan rather than a sports car. Would love to see the same size and styling with a sportier suspension system, and by all means, a manual transmission! Averaging 21mpg in the city and 27mpg on the highway. Sheet metal "feel" is the worst of any car I have owned.

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  Pass this one by even if you are short! - 2009 Toyota Corolla
  By andy92 - January 8 - 6:43 am

  I bought this car for my business. I am over 6Â’ tall and it was a big mistake. After 20 or so miles it gets very uncomfortable for someone tall. It hurt my back so bad I traded it in after only 200 miles! Before you think that a short person would find this vehicle acceptable, please pay careful attention to the steering issue. You cannot hold a straight line especially on the freeway. This is clearly a design defect that needs to be fixed. Strongly suggest you check out Mazda or VW for a small car.

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  Beware:Do not purchase 97-2001 Camrys - 1997 Toyota Camry
  By Sludge Car Owner - January 7 - 2:00 am

  Consumers should be aware of a problem that involves the following 4 cylinder models between the years 1997-2002: Avalon, Camry, Corolla, and Sienna. These models all have the same engine which can be predisposed to an oil sludging problem. While Toyota has tried to be fair to their customers regarding repairs and possible replacement of the entire engine, I was very dissatisfied with my service to repair this issue as my engine was worked on multiple times until it was finally replaced. This car had it\s oil changed every 3000 miles without fail, and it developed such a severe problem-rendering the eventual new engine a necessity. Buyer beware!!!!

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  Smart Shoes - 1997 Toyota Camry
  By Joe - January 4 - 10:26 am

  Purchased my Camry about a year ago with 202k on it, up to 216k now. Lets see, only things outside of normal maintenance (such as brake fluid flush, replacement of plugs and the original wires, and new tires) have been the replacement of the EGR valve gasket and the replacement of the rear bumper after I was rear ended. The steering rack is on its last legs, and has hiccupped a few times in wet weather, but the Camry has never failed to get me from point A to point B. Handling is fine for a front drive sedan, and the clunking suspension is fine for since it bobs up and down less on the highway then ones in better condition.

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  Realiable, boring, and cant handle. - 2001 Toyota Corolla
  By asiancarssmile - January 1 - 3:40 pm

  bought my corolla used in 2011. It had only 42k because a grandma used to own it. The gas mileage was amazing, and the acceleration was alright. The brakes didnt react well and locked up easily. I crashed because the car was too light, causing it loose control on a small swerve at about 55 mph. It hit a wall and flipped upside down. Both airbags deployed and the seat belt held on to me well. I had only scratches from glass and minor back trauma. It saved my life but it may have caused the accident as well.

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  Good midsize with lots of annoyances - 2002 Toyota Camry
  By Jabberwocky - December 28 - 5:26 am

  Runs good most of the time (hard to start in the winter). Powerful and smooth engine. Gets around 30 mpg. Smooth, quiet ride with roomy and comfortable interior. Now the bad... Interior is very cheap; its just about falling apart. Engine does not want to start in cold weather. Car is too low. It bottoms out on everything! Hard to get parts for. Toyota charges an arm and a leg for the parts they do have. No ABS with brakes that tend to lock up all the time. Transmission likes to downshift when slowing down on a downhill. If it does that in the rain or snow your tires will lose traction! Ive had too many close calls with lost traction in this car.

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  Electrical Problems - 2002 Toyota Sequoia
  By lauralee - December 27 - 12:06 pm

  This vehicle is an extremely comfortable SUV. The gas mileage is terrible, but size does matter. I have had issues with the electrical system, and now the air conditioning compressor. I cannot turn of the TRAC control off or on. Occasionally, the high beams are not usable. Now the air compressor just locked up. This vehicle has led a pampered life with all maintenance taken care of by dealerships. The mileage is only 68,000. What gives? This is my first Toyota, and I purchased because of the outstanding reputation for reliability. This has not been my experience with this vehicle. The gas mileage is also terrible. 15.6 MPG.

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  Lower Your Expectations - 2015 Toyota Avalon
  By Brenda Smith - December 26 - 8:31 am

  We purchased a 2015 Avalon in July. It was a nice vehicle but the more I drove it, the more I realized it did not meet my expectations. Due to its reputation, I expected the "flotation" ride of a luxury car. I also had issues with wind noise and bumping my head getting in and out. (Not a vehicle for people who have any difficulty getting in and out of a car). To say I was extremely disappointed is an understatement. The dealership could do nothing about the wind noise....... we even tested one straight off the lot when I came to pick mine up from Service. It did the same thing. My aunt had purchased a 2015 Av Hybrid around the same time. When I spoke with her, she said that she had not realized now noisy her 2015 Avalon was until they went on a trip in a friends Ford F150. Now thats sad that a pickup was quieter than a luxury car!!! I traded in a 2013 Kia Soul that I just loved other than the ride. It had zero wind noise!!!!!! Complained to Toyotas Houston division but since it is not a safety hazard, they deemed nothing was wrong with the car or its design and offered no alternatives in terms of helping me purchase a different vehicle. My only recourse was to go back to the dealership and trade it in. I now own a 2016 4Runner and LOVE it. Yes, it is not sound proof, but it rides better and is more comfortable than my LAST purchase of a "luxury" vehicle. I use the term "luxury" loosely and sarcastically. BCS

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  Awful Gas Mileage - 2010 Toyota Matrix
  By barryw1 - December 26 - 4:01 am

  Ive owned; Honda CRV - the Honda got much better gas mileage, Nissan Pathfinder V6 - comparable gas mileage, Saturn VUE AWD V6 - Saturn had much better gas mileage ... Do not consider this vehicle.