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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  Reliability NOT GOOD ENOUGH - 2005 Toyota Matrix
  By Larry - September 12 - 9:23 pm

  This is the most underpowered vehicle on the planet. We have the XR 4WD, why didnt it come with the S motor? It is dangerously slow! We get passed by semis on the hi-way all the time. The Toyota auto-power locks are terrible, everytime you want to get into a door, it locks itself. And you cannot manually turn off the headlights, this is very annoying if you are approaching someones place late at night it is like a plane landing. Why does the window lock disable the drivers controls?? Poor interior lighting control. Overall a BIG disappointment. Poor interior colors, shows all the fuzz and dirt, poor tire wear, poor disc brakes.

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  A solid feeling car but... - 2009 Toyota Sienna
  By Beca - September 9 - 6:23 pm

  We purchased a 2009 Sienna XLE in October. I never thought to ask if it was winterized. With the first dusting of snow I skidded around, and found out the antilock brakes do work. My windows are frozen shut, it is 20 degrees here, but will be getting much colder. So I came home and got into my 13 yr old Ford Windstar, that I did not slide and the windows are not frozen, even though it too is sitting outside. I guess the all "season tires" that are OE need replaced for the winter. And I will have to be sure it is winterized. The dealers said you cant special order. It seems that for $30,000 you shouldnt have to "settle

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  Dissapointed Owner - 2008 Toyota Tacoma
  By 08Tacoma(ex owner) - September 9 - 7:00 am

  I bought this truck Feb 28,2008. I traded out of it with 17,000 mi Jan 1 2009. The front passenger floor board area was "creaking" whenever I drive over an uneven surface. They re-welded a joint that somehow came apart with only 13,000mi. My roof leaked because of a defect on the factory- installed roof rack (took them 3 times to fix). They replaced the outside seal around the windshield because it was making a "whistling noise" at 75 MPH. Truck wouldnt start sometimes and they couldnt figure out why. I just gave up on it and let somebody else worry about what else could go wrong with it. GOOD BYE TOYOTA FOREVER!! Its the end of an era.

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  1 Month Review: A Value Proposition - 2014 Toyota Corolla
  By triplebronze - September 8 - 7:35 pm

  I chose the Corolla over the 2014 Mazda 3. I have about 600 miles on mine now. In most ways, the Mazda is the better car - better handling, more power, better fuel economy, better build quality. But I dont regret my choice. The Corolla has more interior space, better visibility, and better features for less money, comparably equipped. Noise levels are on-par with the Mazda, but could be better (sadly, not close to the Chevy Cruze).The handling is well improved over previous Toyotas Ive driven, and the seats are supportive and comfortable. Overall this is an easy, economical car to live with and I quite enjoy it.

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  Not the same as my old Camry - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By Jennifer Golshen - September 8 - 1:50 pm

  I traded in my 1993 Camry after 14 years and 137000 miles with no problems. This Camry doesnt compare in any way to my old one. Its bigger and drives nice, but there are too many squeaks and rattles in the entire car. Very cheap feeling plastic parts.

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  No More Toyota - 1998 Toyota Camry
  By crappyota - September 8 - 10:00 am

  I bought this car with 36000 miles on it. Like most people I wanted something reliable and economic, something I could keep for a very long time. I have done all scheduled maintenance and tuneups. I now find myself, at 64000 miles, replacing the idle control valve for $350 and am dealing with engine noise of unkown origin. To find the noise even the ever helpful dealer said they woud need to "tear down the engine" for $1500, to start. So much for reliable. Honda Chevy here I come!!

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  Decent Truck - 2006 Toyota Tacoma
  By Mark - September 5 - 11:46 pm

  This is just another truck. No better or worse than all the others. I have owned every brand and I have not found a perfect truck yet. Why doesnt anyone complain about the truck being nearly undrivable on windy days? Other trucks are not blown all over the highway on windy days. The engine is great.

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  Far worse quality than before. - 2008 Toyota Camry
  By Dan Hogan - September 3 - 8:36 pm

  I have owned a 1993 Camry and a 2000 Camry. This 2008 is so much worse quality than those two. Very disappointing. Terrible rattles from the dash and the rear deck. Cheap plastic parts inside everywhere. The transmission shifts all the time. I will keep this car for as long as I can handle the poor quality.

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  Driver-side Window - 2008 Toyota Highlander
  By pikabill - August 31 - 9:06 am

  The build quality and reliability of my 2008 Highlander has proven to be poor with only 59,000 miles on it and Toyota Customer Service was a waste of time...for example, the driver- side window failed from a plastic part and the dealer charged me over $400 to fix it. Toyota Customer Service and the dealer provided no consideration whatsoever. Yes, it was outside the warranty and Toyota has no obligation to fix it and I have no obligation to purchase another Toyota.

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  Prius overrated - 2005 Toyota Prius
  By tg - August 27 - 7:36 am

  The car has been recalled for steering problems and has died twice on the freeway because of another problem. I get anywhere from 38 to 41 mpg. I do take short drives to work on the freeway which reduces fuel efficiency apparently. The car handles poorly and is very top heavy and sways while Im driving especially if there is any wind at all. Its hard to see out the rear window. C+ rating.