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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  04 Tacoma displeasure - 2004 Toyota Tacoma
  By Donald Downs - June 15 - 5:43 pm

  Bought new 2004 Tacoma 4 x 2 automatic 2.4 cyl SR5 ext. cab Very unhappy, poor power, 2 pc. drive shaft clunks when you accelerate hard, dealer service department, nothing we can do. rated at 21-26 mpg. best I have gotten is 21 even on highway. If a/c is on, loose speed going up a incline, do to poor power. Dont waste your time. It wont be in my garage long!!!

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  Sorry I bought this vehicle... - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By Shannan - June 4 - 6:46 am

  I bought this vehicle on July 23, 2007. Here are the transmission problems Ive experienced: 2-3 second delay while accelerating. Re- calibration of the ECM has knocked that 2-3 second delay down to 1-2 seconds. Transmission is "confused" and CONTINUALLY shifts at speeds of 28 to 35, 38 to 42, and 45 to 51 MPH. At this rate, the Transmission will go out @ 37,000 miles (right after my Warranty expires!) It is in the shop now (4th time in 29 days) this time theyve had it for 5 days and counting. To the Poster from 08/14/2007, if I wanted to "use the shifter" to drive my car, I would have bought a manual...Im not whining, Im stating the facts. I, too, smell lemons.

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  Major Exhuast & Emission Problem - 2008 Toyota 4Runner
  By Major Exhaust prob.. - May 23 - 5:33 pm

  I have already taken my 08 Toy. 4Runner 5 times to 3 different Toyota dealerships for service... theyve changed my catalytic converter and I still have a problem with my exhaust and emission system of this car. When I drive it in the highway in the speeds of 60 MPH and faster I get a real STRONG and HEAVY sulfuric and ammonia scent entering inside of the vehicle which gives me a headache and bothers my newborn baby. I basically cannot drive this automobile with my windows down!!! Toyota service is the worst that Ive ever seen!!!

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  Hugely disappointed - van was a lemon or possessed - 2004 Toyota Sienna
  By racecarmom - May 18 - 10:56 am

  We bought our 2004 Sienna new. In the first 6 months, we had to replace the battery, the armrest fell off and the spare tire holder broke after one use. In the next three years, the panels on the front doors slid down and trapped me inside - I had crawl to the back seat to get out. My husband duct taped the panels on and no more problem - ugly but it worked. Then the sliding door panels lock didnt work. You had to take a chopstick to hold the lock lever up until just before you closed it and then pull out the chopstick and slam the door. Other things broke with light use. Door weatherstripping falls down. Engine ran but looked like a beater van. Would not recommend this van.

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  2007 Toyota Camry - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By GIowa - May 8 - 2:50 pm

  I own 2007 Toyota Camry 4 cylinder. My 5th new Camry over past 11 years. Ive loved the previous Camrys..hate this one. I cant get over 24 mpg, it downshifts on slightest hill, even on the interstate. When I run A/C, it constantly shifts down 2 gears & lurches back & forth. It even shifted down far enough & redlined to 7.5 the other day on the interstate, when I turned on the A/C & it was slightly windy. It lurches on corners. Dealer installed software update & agrees it is awful, but nothing more they can do.

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  Poor Performance - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By Chris - May 4 - 1:03 am

  Bought the 2007 Camry in April 2007, the carÂ’s acceleration is poor to say the least. I took the Camry to the car dealership and they told me the car is performing the way it should. I disagree with their opinion so I called Toyota customer service department and they in turn told me there are no problems with this vehicle. I feel the slow acceleration and hesitation is a major safety issue and something needs to be done to correct this major deficiency right away.

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  Disappointed - 2001 Toyota Camry
  By nick - May 3 - 6:06 am

  I bought the car based on everything I had read and was almost immediately disappointed. Handling on the base model was very sloppy, Steering was non responsive. It floated all over the lane at highway speed. Brakes were poor. I traded it in at 10,000 miles.

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  Dont be fooled. - 2016 Toyota Tacoma
  By Disappointed - May 2 - 4:45 am

  First off, ive owned a 1986, 2001,2009, 2013. The 2001 was the best Tacoma by far. I test drove 4 different versions of the 16. The 6 cyl auto being the worst. It shifts like a 4 cyl. And that is no exaggeration. My 2013 although it sucks on gas miliage shifts like a dream. Smooth with no high rpm. The 2016 is nothing more then a half harted attempt at a "new" redesigned tacoma. The interior is ok. Nothing to get all gushing over. The ride isnt that great. Still alot of wind noise compaired to my 01. And there was a damn vibration comming up through the floor into the gas pedal. It was like my foot had fallen asleep. I really wanted to like this new truck but I just cant. They have even taken away the fold down front seat that was great for setting my french fries on. Its the little things. I hate how the camera now sticks out near the tailgate release where as before it was hidden. Mud flaps are extra. But beyond the asthetics and the body style seeming dated to me,Just my opinion, the enging performance I rate as poor. You can do better Toyota. I hope this verson doesnt stick around long. At the rate toyota is going the tacoma will be just as big as the tundra soon.

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  Sienna Poor Quality - 2006 Toyota Sienna
  By stigsgal - May 1 - 11:29 pm

  Unfortunately, I have to say that after 6 years my Sienna XLE is falling apart around me. All the trim inside the vehicle have or are in process of breaking. The CD player stopped working when the car was 4 years old, the radio goes in and out when it rains or doesnt work at all. The brakes had to be replaced at 38,000 miles, belts replaced, tires OHHH the Run Flat saga. I have never had more flat tires than with the run flats (ironically enough). I personally can not recommend this vehicle to anyone and after a lifetime of owning and driving Toyotas I will not be purchasing another one. Another car company that forgot what made them great. So Sad.

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  enjoyed my 1995 tacoma more - 2003 Toyota Tacoma
  By bslashbar - May 1 - 3:56 am

  This is my third toyota, I doubt I will be buying another Tacoma because I dont believe the quality is the same as the 1995 model I had. Got nearly 300K on it and I can only hope this one will give me half as good of service. Fuel mileage and power are both lacking in my 03 (avg 18 mpg) and the comfort, noise level and interior design seems to be lacking quite a bit. Have had some trouble geeting std trans to shift into reverse several times and had to move forward in order to get into reverse. Cup holders are really of no use as they are in the way and will not hold cups very well.