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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  Review after 17 months of ownership - 2009 Toyota Yaris
  By Bill - May 25 - 11:53 pm

  I wanted a new car that I could reasonably expect would be economical (good mpg) & reliable (no problems). After 17 months of ownership & 15,550 miles my cumulative gas mileage is 42.7 mpg. Ive not had ANY mechanical or electrical problems with the auto. Ive taken it in for the 5K, 10K, & 15K routine maintenance & that is it.

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  Lower gas mileage than stated - 2010 Toyota RAV4
  By mythai - May 25 - 12:33 am

  Ive owned 10 Toyotas in 23 years and Ive never had any problems with any one of my cars/SUVs. I leased the 2010 Rav4 Limited V6 because I wanted a small roomy SUV with good gas mileage. The good: Its roomy, has great power, its comfortable, good options, and handles very well. The bad: Lots of road noise (my 2009 Highlander is nearly silent). You hear just about every noise on the road. And so far, the gas mileage stinks! I have almost 3,000 miles on my car and the mpg has never been more than 20.3 mpg. I drive 85% hwy, no traffic, between 65-70 mph, and Im not hard on acceleration or braking. My tires are normal & the dealer tells me the car is "just learning my driving habits", huh?!

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  1999 SLE V6 - 1999 Toyota Camry Solara
  By MARK - May 24 - 10:00 am

  EXCELLENT RIDE FOR MONEY! I WOULD CONSIDER THIS CAR A POOR MANS LEXUS..HA HA!!! RESPONSIVE V6, GOOD TO EXCELLENT STEERING. GREAT COMFORT... LASTELY--BEST LOOKING COUPE IN CLASS BY FAR!

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  Best yet - 2003 Toyota 4Runner
  By Docyit2 - May 24 - 10:00 am

  Had 14 new vehicles in 30 years this is the best ever owned. Traded my 98 4runner. Own a 01 vette and have hard time deciding which to drive. 4Runner is very pleasing to drive.

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  An Extremely Sturdy Car - 2004 Toyota Matrix
  By Miguel Angel - May 21 - 5:50 pm

  Trixes are bomb-proof! Im the kind of driver who doesnt go particularly fast, but doesnt brake for anything, either. This car has taken three years of continous punishment: every corner taken at the traction limit, hundreds of handbrake turns, about three months of serious gravel driving, 8in deep potholes every day, many track days, being half-sunk in waste water (this is Mexico City, you know)... all without a glitch. Minor rattles in the dash, the standard battery lacks capacity, and thats it. A very capable little car when pushed (can consistently beat Megane RSs in the hands of a good driver), even with an auto transmission. Overall, a great car.

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  So far so good - 2006 Toyota Sienna
  By lad500 - May 21 - 5:50 pm

  Owned 06 Sienna AWD for a month: so far so good. Read numerous blogs about the run-flat tires: tire pressure guage doesnt work with them, numerous people had flat tires they didnt know of until became dangerous. So, keep checking tires for problems; dont rely on guage. They also wear out early; costly to replace (can use regulars, but no spare storage area). Not too happy about poor mileage, but not too bad for AWD that can seat 7. I just tried removing middle seats to see if it makes a difference, but hard to do. Almost gave up when one happened to pop out; they are extremely heavy, & I dont need them all the time.

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  Great with improvement needed - 2008 Toyota Tundra
  By biglakebubba - May 21 - 11:43 am

  First year, every thing was fine. MPG was steadily increasing. Now mileage stinks, 15.3, max. highway. The trailer towing wiring is in a vulnerable place under the bumper. It drags off when you go off-road. Lazy engineering. Put it in the bumper. The wipers have issues. Build up of snow/ice while driving will hang pass. side up in extreme weather. Now only one wiper works and it is going to dealer. Do not buy dealers remote start or steps. Remote starter too expensive, $600 and does not work or will not let you start it without getting out, locking the doors, then getting back in. Now it does not work at all even with new batts. Steps are too short to use to access bed. Otherwise great.

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  Great technology but less on comfort - 2008 Toyota Prius
  By Blomman - May 20 - 4:10 pm

  It is a great car, gas mileage, space inside. However it has left things to wish on comfort. The seat settings are very basic, no heat in the seats even though it is the top of the range version.

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  Almost Perfect - 2005 Toyota Corolla
  By Pat Patterson - May 18 - 8:46 pm

  Follow up review. Traded this car recently, needed a pickup. Probably best car Ive ever owned. Never to the dealer. Only problem was the belt tensioner squeeked after 24k miles. Avg 34 mpg. Needed tires after 24k (the Goodyear Integritys are budget based). Paid $14.5k and got $12k on trade-in (after 2 years and 38k miles). Unbelievable resale value in my opinion. Someones going to get a great used car.

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  Nice car - giggly ride - 2008 Toyota Camry
  By rjohnson - May 17 - 9:03 pm

  This is a very nicely designed car both inside and out. The engine is quiet and smooth. The seats are comfortable. The ride is giggly with road vibrations felt through the low profile tires. This is not like the 06 and before ride. I would recommend it for the younger generation, not those over 55.