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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  Foreign Cars are Not Always the Best - 2005 Toyota Camry
  By water7apple - August 26 - 7:46 pm

  I have had this 2005 Toyota Camry XLE V6 for two months now. I am surprised how disappointed I am with the driving experience of the Camry. I had a 1997 Buick LeSabre with a 3.8L V6 engine that got better gas mileage than this car, and it was about 500 lbs HEAVIER. This 3.0L is should get better gas mileage than it does (for me 15 city, 23 hwy). My Buick glided on the road, more bumps with the Camry. And the transmission is the worst. It hesitates going between 20 to 70 mpg. Not good for city traffic. I can hear the wind and outside noises much more than the Buick. I am trying to trade-in for an American car this time, at least for a better performing V6 engine.

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  camry - 2002 Toyota Camry
  By sc - August 23 - 5:36 pm

  Too often i had to pay out of my pocket for work that im not responble for when I know that i bought a plan. and is still covered dealer warranty and manufacture warranty.

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  WILL NEVER TOYOTA AGAIN!!! - 2008 Toyota Avalon
  By tanniel - August 20 - 8:44 pm

  I have always owned a Toyota vehicle. I am a loyal customer of that brand. However, I WILL NEVER BUY A TOYOTA AGAIN!!!!! EVER!!!! Marietta Toyota on Cobb Parkway is CRAP!!!! The service center is HORRIBLE!!!! Worst attitudes there this morning as if I owe THEM SOMETHING!!! I have a 2008 Avalon that has a headlight out IN LESS THAN 5 YEARS and they will not replace it unless I pay $300!!! Toyota is crooked, and CLEARLY doesnt stand by their work/products... Hyundai has warranties that last up to TEN YEARS and 200K miles and their cars are way cheaper!!! That is a HUGE slap in the face! I was looking to get a Lexus next year but after this experience my next car WILL NOT be a Toyota!

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  2006 Matrix 5spd - 2006 Toyota Matrix
  By shartman - August 20 - 4:53 am

  I truly expected more out of this 18,000 dollar vehicle. It is very roomy, good on gas and is a pretty color. That is about all I can say. I have had no major problems with it. The stereo sounds terrible. And the hydraulics that open the hatch dont work well. I have to push it up. I really expected more out of this Toyota. I also have to mention it runs like a car that is 6 or 8 years old. It idles very hard and rough for only having like 11,000 miles on it. Not what I expected!

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  Poor mileage for me - 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By michigandriver - August 16 - 3:36 am

  I traded in a 2000 Lexus for a 07 Camry Hybrid. I dont like it. It does not even compare to the Lexus in quality or comfort. The ONLY time I have gotten close to 40 mpg is on the highway with the cruise set at 60. Otherwise I average between 32-35 mpg, tops. I drive very conservatively and have tried different driving styles to try to improve the mileage, but no luck. Handling (especially cornering) is a bit sloppy with this car (no comparison to the Lexus). The heat/air is also noticeably less efficient with this car than with the Lexus, and also with the previous 3 Toyotas I have owned. Im going back to Lexus!

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  Love the looks, but not the quality - 2008 Toyota Camry
  By Linda(*65 - August 14 - 5:23 pm

  I owned a 1998 4Runner and finally couldnt deal with the gas mileage anymore, so I traded it in for a top of the line XLE 4 cylinder. I LOVE the looks of this car, however, the quality is terrible compared to my 4Runner. TOO MANY squeaks, rattles and noises from everywhere in the car. I have also had transmission problems, but they have been fixed.

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  03 Camry LE Review - 2003 Toyota Camry
  By g - August 13 - 1:26 pm

  Ive had this car for 5 years and have put over 100,000 miles on it. Comfortable riding car but with a fairly generic feeling interior. Okay stereo. Not a good handling car, tends to float over the road providing a fairly vague feel. Taking my eyes off of the road to adjust the radio can result in drifting into other lane, even if just for a second; no feel of the road here. Reliability is not what I would have expected. Did sunroof cables and intake manifold at 70k ($1500). At 107k miles, now needs a new steering rack. Nice car for trips, but disappointing otherwise.

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  2005 Sienna failures - 2005 Toyota Sienna
  By bahnted - August 9 - 3:20 pm

  My Sienna ran fine for first 36,000 miles. The next 20,000 miles have had numerous failures: 1) Fuel injector - $383; 2) Catalytic converter - warranty $0; 3) Fuel hose disconnect - $105 leaving me stranded 20 miles from Cody, WY; 4) Drivers door check strap $380 - the door can fold back against the fender making closure impossible! I wrote and contacted Toyota Customer Service. They initially refused to do anything, taking no responsibility. After I wrote Seiichi Sudo, President and CEO, suddenly they wanted to "help" with a $600 good faith payment on nearly $900 of repairs. I now find the door check strap cannot be re-welded and door must be replaced, a $2000 repair! Stay away!

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  One Dumb Purchase - 2008 Toyota Tacoma
  By flemdog - August 9 - 2:03 pm

  There is no position on the heater/AC controls that will shut off outside air from coming in through the vents, which is a problem if you live in a colder climate as I do. The wind noise overpowers conversation and the radio, the wipers make an irritating “thunk/thunk” noise, and the outside temp/compass indicator is difficult enough to read due to a reflective glare. The seat bolsters are narrow and uncomfortable. Gas & brake pedals are too close.

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  Suicide Doors were a mistake!!! - 2003 Toyota Tundra
  By intuit4fun - August 8 - 2:00 am

  While looking at this truck it never crossed my mind that the suicide doors would be such a problem. Imagine trying to put groceries or anything youve purchased in the back seats in a crowded parking lot... You have to open the doors and be inbetween them...