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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  Dissatisfied - 2004 Toyota Sienna
  By P. Ary - November 19 - 7:10 pm

  I own a 2004 (8 seating) Toyota Sienna LE. I have had to replace tires 2 times. There have been 5 or 6 recalls. It is in the shop today with loud humming noise from engine. But the most disappointing thing is that the dash has split in 3 places. I contacted the dealership and Toyota directly and they offered me no help. The car was beyond its warranty, but I have owned 8 cars (4 Toyotas) during my driving life and have never had a dash split. Toyota told me that I must have done something to it, although they could not suggest what it might be. The van is kept in a garage when not in use and I always crack the windows when it is summer time. Cannot recommend Toyota anymore.

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  Disappointment on Camry - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By allura - November 19 - 2:20 pm

  I purchased this camry, three weeks ago, acceleration is a major problem, just not like the older models of camry, was in a accident, hit on the front right side, right fender, car was considered total loss, not fixable, I would not purchase another camry disappointed is this 2007 camry, gas mileage is not as good as prior years, i had to purchase another vehicle, it was not a camry, made in ky, it was a solid 2007 toyota RAV4 made in japan. I was a dedicated toyota customer for years. what happen to the camry this year. shame, shame, shame

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  Junk - 2008 Toyota Prius
  By jeric - November 18 - 4:40 pm

  Ive had this car for about 5 months now and it is really a piece of junk. It does get very good mileage when it isnt having transmission problems at 8,000 miles. I thought Toyotas were supposed to be reliable... not the case on this one. Two transmissions later... Im trading this beast in and buying a dodge caliber next week. The Prius is what I waited months to get.. what a joke.

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  Beautiful Car with one Exception! - 2012 Toyota Camry
  By Jacqueline Ayadi - November 15 - 1:37 am

  This is a beautiful shiny 2012 black Toyota Camry. It is such a smooth ride except for the squealing brakes. When I first took it for a trial run the week before I bought it, I did not notice squealing brakes. I bought the car because it is a newer model which was at a good price. I bought the car on Friday Feb 19th, heard the squealing brakes and took it back to the SD Toyota Service Center on Monday Feb 22. I was told the brakes are in good condition, they probably got amerol on them. I was told the squealing should stop after I drive it some. After giving their explanation some consideration, that answer didnt seem right. Additionally the squealing continues. In my past experience of driving cars, usually when the brakes squeal something is wrong! I am very disappointed with my purchase as I believed it was the right car for me!

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  2005 Camry with balky transmission - 2005 Toyota Camry
  By seaview7 - November 11 - 7:21 pm

  2005 Camry SE V6 engine. Only 36,000 miles. The electronic transmission has been awful since day one. It balks at low speeds, and hesitates and jumps, like it cant find the right gear. Dealer says there is nothing they can do to correct. Its in the computer. Gas mileage around town with the V6 engine is bad. I drive fairly slow, but only average about 16 mpg. I should have got 4 cyl. Had factory recall in 2012 for a bad camshaft pulley. Dealer claims they also found my valve covers leaking oil. Charged me $600. The only thing I like about my car is the interior room, and the solid feel. Much better than the new Camrys. The 2013 Camrys feels "cheap" and the interior is tight.

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  Irritating issues make this a 6.0 - 2008 Toyota RAV4
  By Kevin - November 10 - 2:50 am

  This is my first Toyota, after years of Ford ownership. Ill be going back to Ford as their build quality and value for money are better. I like the fuel economy, load capacity and power, but the body styling is awful, the radio is tinny and cheap, the tires didnt last and the traction control is absolutely awful - when all four wheels are spinning (like when youre stuck in snow), the TC cuts power to the engine meaning you cant "bully" your way out of the snow. I need chains to get out of my own driveway! My Ford Escape had no problems at all in the snow. Overall this gets a 6.0 and Ill not look at Toyota again.

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  TBA - 2008 Toyota 4Runner
  By 4RunnerCanuck - November 3 - 2:26 am

  At a mere 2200km, 4Runner had to be boosted three mornings in a row. After my first visit to the dealership, this brand new 4Runner had a defective battery replaced! Well see... The driver seat is quite uncomfortable. Hurts my back. Im six feet tall. The seat part is way too short, angles are all wrong. If there are any other defects, Im dumping this truck.

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  Interior Comfort and Design -- So Disappointed - 2014 Toyota Tacoma
  By michellemc - November 1 - 11:03 pm

  Purchased my new 2014 Toyota Tacome V6 w/ Tow Pckg in April of this year. Been on a few trips this year. Getting a new vehicle was huge for me, of my own, as was getting a truck! I love love love having my own truck. And I have loved Toyotas in the past. So my heartbreak is quite profound regarding my experience. Interior comfort is horrible. The design of the seats is such that it makes a person hunch forward, and this cannot be alleviated with raising or lowering the headrest, or by adjusting the lumbar knob which really doesnt do much besides adjust the firmness of the seat behind your lower back. After 2.5 hours on the road, my back was screaming in pain. After 7, in tears.

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  Disappointed - 2007 Toyota Avalon
  By harmonyrn - November 1 - 1:36 pm

  The seats in this Avalon are terrible, more uncomfortable than you can imagine. Why would a designer put all kinds of seams in a car seat? The steering is also "hard", not smooth like in our 2003 Avalon. It feels like Im driving a Mack truck. The radio sounds like an old transistor AM radio - tinny and poor quality. Ive also had major problems with merging onto interstates from entrance ramps; sometimes I wonder if Ill make it without being rear ended by a car 1/4 mile behind me. The pick-up is not reliable. Cabin noise is very loud on interstates, mostly from moonroof. Overall, if you are a small woman who is looking for comfort and a great car for road trips, the 2007 Avalon is not it.

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  Not as good as past Toyotas - 2002 Toyota Tundra
  By Nunya - October 30 - 1:53 pm

  Ive had 2 Toyotas in the past, and the new ones are living on that reputation. Its still a great truck compared to the other low quality trucks on the market, but still not even close to the same quality as past Toyotas. The 18 MPG really stinks, especially for a V- 6, the cargo light has to be turned off before getting out of the truck to keep from running the batt. down., the seatbelts seem really cheap, the paint seems very thin, and brittle, the cheap plastic tailgate handle broke and costs a fortune to replace. Its still a good truck, but like others here I just expected a heck of a lot more out of Toyota than this. IMHO we keep buying higher $$$ for cheaper quality. Will we learn?