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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  a real lemon - 2014 Toyota RAV4
  By oldtoyotausser - November 19 - 8:09 am

  The Rav 4 has had 25 recalls, which should say it all. I have had to replace both front and rear brakes at only 50k miles. The sensors went at 25k. The battery died at 49k. The front end is so far out of alignment that I must replace tires every 16000 miles or drive on badly, unevenly worn tires. I have had the car to 3 different alignment shops which verify the car is badly out of alignment. This is an unfixable problem. Unfortunately it still falls within Toyotas specs. I guess it is easier to change specs than admit this problem should also have been recalled. I have also had repeated computer problems. I feel that this car is unsafe to drive and a money pit.

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  Ugh! At 7K the transmission went out! - 2010 Toyota Venza
  By Penny - November 19 - 6:53 am

  After a car accident with our 2007 Camry, we purchased the Venza with much optimism, With in 5K miles the gas pedal stuck on the floor mat, yikes! But we later removed the mat and had no more problems. Then the car was jumping forward and then the next day the all the dash lights were lit up and at 7,233 miles the transmission died. No help from Toyota, or the dealership to help us get rid of the lemon so we traded it into the Ford dealership and I am driving an Edge. I thought the negative comments about Toyota was just a bad press campaign but I guess the media got it right for once. My confidence with the car was eroded with these experience, and no one seems to care or wanted to help.

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  I should have looked elsewhere - 2006 Toyota Avalon
  By Jenny - November 9 - 7:33 pm

  Not a very impressive car for $35,500. Loud, and more problems as the miles add up. I had a Corolla back in college (thirty years ago) that I really liked but this one leaves me very cold.

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  Where mediocrity held sway - 2010 Toyota Matrix
  By wpsjesse - November 5 - 8:08 pm

  The second generation of the Toyota Matrix features instantly noticeable larger exterior dimensions, with predictable design cues derivative from the previous model. The interior is all Pontiac (as the Matrix shares a platform with the Vibe) and at a total loss for any real style. The drivers view offers a landscape of unbalanced, drab plastic shapes with chunky knobs and no real aesthetic appeal. Although the build quality seems solid, the lack of inspired design renders the interior joy-less. The blind spot created by the large C-pillar, combined an awkward angle and size of the third window makes the car very hard to see out of at the rear. Fuel economy on the 2.4 has been disappointing.

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  A great purchase - 2010 Toyota Camry
  By tappan01 - October 25 - 9:56 pm

  After 12 years of GM cars, this Camry is a breath of fresh air! I love the way the car rides, handles (plenty of power with the 6cyl). Im not crazy about the "smart Start" button stop/start - would like to feel those keys in my hand. The only problems I find with this car are minor design changes I would like to see: Poor "visibility" when backing the car up (cant see around the headrest. Trunk should lock in place when open. Seat belt placement is to low on seat - difficult to clasp. Cannot read printout on radio during day. All in all this is a great car for the money. Exactly the same as the Lexus ES350 except for some of the refinements.

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  Missed the target, Toyota. - 2003 Toyota Matrix
  By eric - October 20 - 5:56 pm

  The Matrix and its sister car, the Pontiac Vibe, are based on the Corolla platform. Ill just summarize by saying that this car, in all trims but the XRS, is tragically underpowered, particularly with the automatic, which is the only transmission available with AWD versions. Its very Japanese. Noise, firm seats, terrible steering wheel angle, and abusive ride are the most noticeable detractions from what could have been a nice car. On the positive side, it fits lots of stuff inside, and sees tolerable fuel numbers. Keep in mind, folks, reliability is a part of quality of life. Consider comfort and usability when considering your next vehicle. Or maybe Im just getting old.

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  crappy car - 2003 Toyota Matrix
  By tully2 - October 17 - 8:00 pm

  I would NEVER buy this car if I could do it again! I bought one of the first ones and it is a total LEMON and the dealership wont replace it. drawers and pannels fall off all the time, chrom has fallen off. The AC has broken 3 times and now the engine and transmission have a serious problem and the dealership wont fix it because it is 5,000 miles past the warrenty. I have taken good care of this car and done all the oil changes but it doesnt seem to matter. I expected more from toyota and I also expected a transmission and engine in ANY new car to last longer than 3 years!

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  isnt holding up well - 2009 Toyota Sienna
  By wmau - October 10 - 3:56 am

  We bought the sienna only because of the 8 seater and the local dealer offers a life time guarantee on the transmission. Everything seems to need to be replaced just as the warrenty runs out - brakes, tires, etc.. This spring (only 1 1/2 year old car) the left passenger door broke and recently at less than 2 years old the right side broke. The estimate is over $4000 to fix them. The reason I was told is that we drive too much. Dealer informed us that we should only be driving 13k miles per year.

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  lier lier toyota shame on you.. - 2005 Toyota Tacoma
  By teakrob - September 21 - 7:57 am

  I bought it in 05 for about $33,000.00 This truck with 50K miles is a money pitt. The service is way over priced. The recalls lists are long yet are minor compared to the list of problems toyota dosnt cover. 1 frame is so weak that it CAVED IN AT THE MOTOR MOUNTS. The result 8 weeks in the shop countless calls to toyota and b/s forever to have them say I need a new frame and it would be around $13,000 to repair my truck what a joke, not a funny one. 2 Newest problem @ 86Kmiles bad cats all four, around $5000.00 to replace. 5 weeks in shop to have them tell me that toyota will cover $1000.00 of it after I pay in full. I cant afford it and no smog w/light on so Im SOL save your money

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  Very Poor Fuel Economy -- Average 18 MPG only! - 2017 Toyota Highlander
  By Sam L - September 12 - 9:42 pm

  The 2017 Highlander is advertising as 20/26 MPG, so far I only get 18 MPG! And I drive mostly on Highway! This is totally fraud advertisement. My 2014 Acura MDX has 22 MPG at least. And the Acceleration of the 2017 Highlander is just painful. Overall its just an average car, and its not worth if you pay over 40K! Im so regret that I didnt add 5K-7K more to upgrade to an Acura MDX, Lexus RX, or Infinite QX60.