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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  Bad car quality - 2003 Toyota Corolla
  By jmei - April 22 - 10:00 am

  Poshed up version of same old car, except that it breaks now. Engine is potent if you want to push hard but handling is left far behind. Minor build quality flaws. Check Engine light comes on every so often for no apprarent reason.

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  Dont Like the Seats! - 2006 Toyota Avalon
  By The Olsens - April 18 - 6:10 pm

  The front seats are enough to make me want to sell this car. I cant get comfortable. And the car is much noisier on dirt roads and rough roads here in Iowa than my previous Buick. Im not very impressed. My son told me about this Avalon and said it was an excellent car. I guess he didnt drive it. I have, and I dont like it very much.

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  This is a Toyota? - 2003 Toyota Sequoia
  By m0000 - April 13 - 1:10 am

  Serious drivetrain problems the dealer says are a "characteristic, not a defect". Brand new car came with the wrong ECU (car computer). Warranty repair was limited to installing a used/remanufactured computer. Major exhaust leak under heavy throttle uphills. Toyota calls this "exhaust sulfur smell problem". Front wheels will not or cannot retain an alignment. Eats up tires. stiff ride. Trac control lights all come on - already fixed once. What next? Please dont make me deal with a toyota dealership anymore...

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  WORST CAR EVER - 2004 Toyota Camry Solara
  By barkins - April 8 - 10:00 am

  Our family has been buying Toyota for the past 20 years. From Corollas to Camrys and we couldnt imagine getting any other car when it came to buying a new car for me. It was the worst mistake of my life. From day 2 the car started to make a loud engine noise, the alignment was always off, the tire pressure light keeps going on and the seats move around during turns and sudden breaking. The dealership did nothing to fix any of my problems and nor did any other in my area. They all said the same thing; "ITS SUPPOSE TO DO THAT" I guess Toyotas are suppose to suck. I finally got rid of it and am now driving a Honda Accord with ZERO problems. Good buy Toyota forever.

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  Think again before you buy a 2003 4R - 2003 Toyota 4Runner
  By larryjordan56 - April 4 - 2:00 am

  I purchased a new 2003 4Runner Sport 4wd from Toyota of Roswell on November, 2002. After 4K miles this is a partial list of what is wrong...exhaust enters into the passenger compartment, the truck vibrates when the sunroof is opened, the gas mileage is 10-12 in the highway, both door panels vibrate and rattle, the hatch rattles, the center rear console rattles, HAC does not work, the transmission does not shift properly when cold, etc. I paid an extra $700 for Toyoguard but I cannot even get a loaner vechicle if I leave the car in for service.

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  Faulty seatbelts in Yaris 2007 - 2007 Toyota Yaris
  By Elaine - April 3 - 6:06 am

  Have been loyal Toyota person. Cant wait to get rid of this one. Had accident with frontal impact. Seatbelts did not engage. Toyota gave us the run around. Cannot continue to buy from a mfgr that will not stand behind its product. Also have a moisture leak in the interior. Dealer has been unable to find it after 3 visits. Airbags also did not go off on impact. Police gave us an affidavit regarding defective seatbelts. I dont sue people but Toyota should be ashamed! I hope any Yaris owner will have their seatbelts checked!! It could save your life!

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  Problems+ + + + - 2003 Toyota Camry
  By Fawaz - March 30 - 10:00 am

  i bought this camryproblem 3 months ago and sincs that im evry 2 or 3 days on the dealer problems evry where starts from the brake to the bad noise from the driver door the front psnger. door and the front glass adn the dealer dont want to fix anything he says that they dont know whats the noise problem ... its not only me in the dealer garage there is a lot of camrys like my problem

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  Poor Gas Mileage - 2007 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
  By UNHAPPYOWNER - March 29 - 1:56 pm

  MSRP $41K for OK vehicle with poor MPG. Heated seats dont work, toyota cant/wont fix them. Resale will be bad with defective options (still under warranty). Waranty only good if munafacturer desides to fix it. Good takeoff and ride. Need more options (bluetooth,steering wheel controls,etc.). Two slow leak alloy rims, other cars have similar leaks. Wont buy toyota again.

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  Disappointing - 2006 Toyota RAV4
  By R88 - March 20 - 7:13 pm

  The climate control display and radio displays are awful. You can barely see them in regular light but in sunlight they are impossible. It would have been so simple for Toyota to use the same type of display for these items as the odometer. The rear window is fixed and the rear door is heavy and opens to the side. Mileage is terrible.

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  Really Disappointed -Lost $$$$$ - 2003 Toyota Highlander
  By Carol W - March 18 - 10:00 am

  Yesterday I traded in my Highlander after only having it for 6 weeks. I was not happy with the ride, acceleration, and small feel to the interior. It was too tight and not at all comfortable to drive. Seats seem cheap and not well padded. Very little leg room for driver. The stereo speakers had poor quality and bad sound. CDs sounded like a cheap radio. It was a mistake to buy and I lost several thousand on the trade, but now I have a 2002 Sienna and love it. It has better acceleration, much more comfortable seats and room! I still wanted a Toyota, but the Highlander really is not a good family vehicle.