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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  My first TOYOTA - 2003 Toyota Echo
  By M Franks - September 27 - 2:00 am

  First of all I would like to thank EDMUNDS for making this possible and a big thanks also for all the helpful reviews.I received my 2003 ECHO 2 weeks ago.Im impressed with my ECHO,but probably more so with TOYOTA.The option availability,pricing and the new style of the car seems to say that TOYOTA reads reviews.This has made the ECHO more exceptable to the public. I was shopping for a new JEEP WRANGLER,but had noticed the new styled ECHOS.After renting one for a week-end I knew what I was going to buy.Im very pleased over all with the new car.The unique styling is cute and gives the car character and spunk.

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  Not a car for the snowbelt - 1999 Toyota Camry Solara
  By Unhappy in Ohio - September 27 - 2:00 am

  Plain interior-wheres foreign fit & finish? Speed rated tires suicide in snow. Windshield fogs. Main problem, struts! Complained many times about clunking noise. Dealer finds nothing loose. After research, I uncover known strut problem. Failing strut on an icy road cause car to swish left into a skid after hitting dip. $7,500 in sheet metal damage, luckily no one hurt. During repairs, rented 2003 Impala; felt safe & in control for 1st time since 5-99 when I bought 1st (& last!) Toyota. Hurray for Moms apple pie & good ole American Chevrolet. (P.S. any Solara lovers want to buy totally repainted 99 SEV6? hahaha)

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  TUNDRA DOUBLECAB - 2004 Toyota Tundra
  By LAKEFREAK - September 27 - 2:00 am

  I DROVE THE TRUCK 2,700 MILES THE FIRST WEEK I PURCHASED THE TRUCK.T FELT IT WAS VERY EASY TO DRIVE

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  Review of my 04 Taco - 2004 Toyota Tacoma
  By NealsToy - September 27 - 2:00 am

  Ive received plenty of compliments on the looks of my Tacoma. I love driving it. Lots of power when you need it the most. Solid build.

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  Luvnmytoyota - 2004 Toyota 4Runner
  By Rosie12345 - September 27 - 2:00 am

  Just bought my 4Runner, but love it. This SUV drives so much better than the cherokee, Grand Cherokee and Nissan Pathfinder that I have owned previously

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  04 4runner, had a h1 hummer - 2004 Toyota 4Runner
  By weav - September 27 - 2:00 am

  This car is unbelievable, i live the smooth ride plus the DAC downhill assit control works great. I like the way the 4 wheel drive works and the layout of the dash. I had a HUMMER h1 and my new 4runner is much more reliable and in all aspects of my driving the 4runner is a better car. Lacking some offroad ability the HUMMER could do, but HAS done everything I put it up too. So even then I was really suprised. GREAT SUV!!

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  Drives like a dream! - 2003 Toyota Highlander
  By Rob Gillespie - September 27 - 2:00 am

  Powerful, smooth, quiet...if you are looking for comfortable city driving, this SUV will not disappoint you! I cant comment on off-road use because I dont do that. This is not considered a "luxury" SUV like the Land Rover, but gosh, what else could you want? If you buy the Limited model you already have almost every feature you can think of. This is the best car Ive ever owned! I would definitely buy another one.

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  not good - 2004 Toyota Camry
  By ed 270 - September 27 - 2:00 am

  very noisey, steering wheel not enough adjustment,slow to excelerate,2000 model much better

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  fuel economy blues - 2010 Toyota Camry
  By fuel econ - September 26 - 9:46 pm

  I love the style of this car. The interior and dash is plain jane to me. I bought this car and went with the 4 cyl thinking I would get great gas mileage for work. Very disappointed with 24-26 mile/gal. I dont drive aggressive either. I also hear a wisling on the windshield driving on the highway. The interior is very roomy . Other than the fuel economy I love the car.

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  Best Compact SUV Lease Choise for Us - 2015 Toyota RAV4
  By gb philly burbs - September 26 - 7:04 pm

  We are leasing the 2015 RAV4 AWD 6A LE, replacing a comparable 2012 RAV4. We do a lot of long distance highway driving and find it very comfortable. Overall it is a step improvement over the previous model and we are happy with it, though it is no luxury vehicle. Of the other SUVs we considered, it was the best manufacturers lease deal. Weve been leasing to wait for better SUV fuel economy breakthroughs. Now that a RAV4 Hybrid is available, that is our top purchase candidate. We considered Honda CRV, Subaru Forester, and Subaru Outback. The much more expensive Outback was the best riding, best MPG, most luxurious , and much quieter, but we preferred the upright seating and compacter wheelbase of a true SUV. Of the 3 true SUVs the Toyota was the quietest (both Honda and Subaru still have unacceptable highway wind noise after all these years) and smoothest handling at highway speeds. Like its 2012 predecessor, our RAV4 was flawlessly constructed. The engine purrs and acceleration is very smooth. Handling is good considering the higher center of gravity and weight of an SUV (Forrester wins in this category with its boxer engine). In strong wind at highway speed handling is jittery due to the high profile and short wheelbase- a lot of micro steering adjustments may be required. Mileage is decent, but not exceptional, and little better than the previous model despite the addition of an extra gear. If I keep it under 65 mph I can handily beat the EPA highway 29 MPG rating. However, on a recent 1200 mile highway drive at 80+/- mph, with some frantic stop and going around metro Washington DC, we averaged 27.6 mpg. Overall I have averaged 26.1 mpg in normal driving mode, lighting up the green ECO LED most of the way. 2017 UPDATE: Just drove 1150 miles from FL to PA with several half hour traffic crawl delays, otherwise averaging 70-80 mph with average mpg of 29.5 in eco mode. I have no problem with the electronic displays and controls. Find them useful, easy to read, and intuitive. Backup camera with guidelines is a great feature. Basic stereo sound is nothing special; works well with USB or music player, easy to set up blue tooth connections. It pisses me off that Toyota doesnt include a driver lumbar support in anything but the XLE model. Seats are fairly comfortable though better for me if I use a Back Joy Sit Smart. Some other areas where you now get less than in the previous model: no overhead sun glass holder, only one in-dash storage box and a useless shelf above it, less console storage, glove box does not lock, no cross bars (but a cheap after market purchase if you need it, and at least you get roof rails on the basic models unlike the CRV), no back seat fold down lever in the storage area, no VARIABLE control for intermittent wiper, no full size spare, plastic wheel covers instead of finished steel wheels. The extra charge floor mats are very cheap, better to get something after market. Some pluses versus 2012, ours included a rear storage cover, backup camera, the rear seat headrests can be easily folded down to improve rear view visibility, in car spare storage and upswing rear door makes rear access much easier, better MPG feedback tools, quieter ride. Rear visibility is excellent (much better than CRV). However, the forward descending body side lines throw you off when trying to align the car in a parking space. Cannot see speedometer when driver seat position is elevated.