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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  Design unfriendly. - 2008 Toyota Corolla
  By Masood - February 22 - 11:40 pm

  The drivers seat is very uncomfortable in a city driving condition. It does not hold you in at turns, very hard to sit on. The height adjuster for seat is not easy to work with. My Corolla LE 2008 has only 12700 miles, but the engine makes a popping noise and a shifting noise when I either put it in Drive or Reverse gear. I constantly have to adjust the side view mirrors to match the seat height. The car gives me 28 mpg in town. Its hard to see the side of the car at turns. There should have been a turn signal built on the front side like 10" behind the head light on both sides. It will be easier for other cars in the lanes next to Corolla to see. Same signal should be on all four sides of the car.

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  Initial Impressions - 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
  By MJS - February 22 - 9:20 pm

  ~200 miles so far. Comfortable but chassis is geared for grandma. I prefer more responsive steering and suspension feedback but hey, this is a Toyota. I bought this for the MPG only and the need for a SUV. Otherwise not too exciting. Ride is quiet but steering is a bit loose at highway speeds. Too much assist and its not the speed sensitive type. Center console lacks imagination. No coin slot for individual coins amongst others. I can fit a rear facing carseat behind the passenger seat and someone can still ride in the front. Too bad you cant put the child seat in the center and have two 2nd row passengers (seat belt interferes) So far about 24mpg... lots of breaking in left

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  Love It - 2001 Toyota Highlander
  By Tom Crowley - February 22 - 11:16 am

  I traded in a 1994 Lincoln Town Car on the Highlander. A very good decision. My first impression was the short turn ratio. My second, was that the V6 is the size engine that handles this weight vehicle better than the 4- cylinder. Finally, it rides like a passenger vehicle...most of my passengers make that comment. Rides five comfortably. My understanding is that it rides on the Camry chassis.

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  2003 silver mr2 - 2003 Toyota MR2 Spyder
  By nolan - February 22 - 10:00 am

  i peviously own a celica gts-2001.this car has better comfort,handling,brakes,gas milage-uses reg.fuel not premium,better looking, easier to drive.fit and finish excellent.only 1 defect-headlights not adjusted correctly.it seems quieter then the celica.

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  a few upgrades - 2004 Toyota Avalon
  By T J - February 22 - 10:00 am

  Really nice, get all the options and make it look sporty ie; chrome mags, mud flaps, rear spoiler, nose wrap, rain guards,front hod scoop, auto start, then it will be complete and not your ave toyota-if u got the $ & cents.

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  Love my truck - 2002 Toyota Tacoma
  By "C" - February 22 - 10:00 am

  Purchased a 2003 Toyota SR5 Ext Cab.auto,PS,Air, Cruise Control. very satisfied with performance of vehicle.All vehicles are not up to the standards of the durability ofToyota........However, is the vehicle worth the hassel of being wary of salesmen/admin pushing to get as much money as they can?

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  Major Disappointment - 2004 Toyota 4Runner
  By JayEx - February 22 - 10:00 am

  I am extremely disappointed that when you let the rear seats down to utilize all of the rear cargo space, you have to slide the front seats forward to make room. I am 61" tall and this situation makes it very uncomfortable to drive. The Highlander I traded for this auto was much more satisfactory. Had I known this deficiency existed in the 4Runner, I would still own my Highlander.

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  Easy car to drive - 2006 Toyota Corolla
  By Barbara Ware - February 21 - 10:13 pm

  Relatively easy car to manuever in city, good gas mileage, economical to operate, just a good all around car for the money.

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  Excellent Budget Purchase - 2010 Toyota Corolla
  By Phil T - February 20 - 10:00 am

  If you are looking for a high mileage, sporty, reliable commuter, this is the car for you. I went through 3 months of research on the Honda Civic, Mazda 3, and this car. For the money, my needs as a 70 mile commuter a day, Toyota reliability. The decision was easily made. I love the look of the car looks much better than the smiley Mazda or the alien looking Civic. Some notes to those that read other peoples review. The suspension is sport tuned so the steering is a little light at first but with a little break in the steering is more weighted and is easy to drive.

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  Peppy acceleration for 4 cyl - 2010 Toyota Camry
  By Best Value Seeker - February 20 - 8:26 am

  Peppy acceleration for 4 cyl, ride is serene (almost no road noise), steering is light & handles curves fine w/little body lean, auto trans shifts abruptly, esp. in city traffic. Too early to tell how reliable new engine and trans are.