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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  Mileage - 2014 Toyota Camry
  By jlking - August 8 - 1:38 am

  For all of you folks that state your mpg, I suggest that you do NOT believe what the car computer tells you. I have a 2014.5 Camry SE. Driving with a GPS the speedometer said 61-62 mph, the GPS showed 59 mph. I drove 332 miles and put in 10.155 gallons which equals 32.6 and the car computer stated and average mpg of 35.2 mpg. Do your own manual calculation, do NOT believe the car computer!

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  Wish is car was better - 2003 Toyota Corolla
  By George D - August 7 - 10:00 am

  The car is good looking. The visibility is a little on the poor side, we remover the rear head rest to inprove the vision out the rear window. The ride is not the best, it is rough and one feels every bump. If I had tested the ride a bit more, I would not have purchased the car. It rides like an old truck. There are also blind spots looking towards the passenger side. A driver must be extra careful. I reduced the tire pressure down from 30psi to 28 to try to help the ride. Not much gained.

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  3 recalls and counting - 2009 Toyota Corolla
  By Martha - August 7 - 9:56 am

  My car has had 3 recalls and a TSB. In the 14 months Ive had the car, it has been in the shop 6 times. The steering still isnt great after the TSB. Toyota has assigned me a different first name from day one, and after many phone calls and faxes, I still cant get it corrected. Calling TOYOTA headquarters in Torrance, CA. IS A BIG WASTE OF TIME. I only drive this car around town and would be too scared to take it on a road trip. I owned a Subaru before my Corolla and drove it for 19 years. I would get rid of my Corolla tomorrow if I could afford to.

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  Ehhh - 2016 Toyota Tacoma
  By joe - August 2 - 12:51 pm

  The transmission sucks - shifts hard, lunges out of park or during slow acceleration and cant find 5th or 6th gear while cruising. The yota fan boys play it down, but its terrible. The USB port continually loses connection with my phone and the BT requires me to forget the device and repair, otherwise the sound speeds up by about x4 for maybe a second and then stops, but repeats this cycle continually. MPG is pretty solid - 20ish for combined DC driving and up to 23+ on mostly highway trips. Another positive is I can fit my 5,4 and 2 y/o in the backseat.

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  Could be a lot better - 2008 Toyota Sienna
  By graysienna - August 2 - 12:42 am

  We bought this used model (2008) from the Toyota dealer with 70K on it. The price was reasonable. The interior is poor. The rear passenger air turns on and off intermittently without anyone turning on. I read a lot of similar complaints on the ToyotaSienna online forum. The dealer said it is what it is (as is condition). I tried to look up for the solution, no solution found. The seats are poor quality. The hand rest for all seats are poorly built. It is really not so convenient for the driver to use the hand rest (Right). The center console between the driver and passenger could have been made better (which I suppose is now taken care in the new model). Poor quality seat belts.

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  Died Before 2000 miles - 2014 Toyota Highlander
  By maddyg - July 30 - 10:28 am

  I purchased the 2014 Highlander after months of researching the 3-row SUV market and test driving about 10 different vehicles. I loved the new vehicle when I first got it, comfortable, smooth, quiet, and fun to drive. It started having problems turning over to start a few days ago, now it wont start at all. Ive had it for 6 weeks, less than 2000 miles. I turned off all the automatic dome lights, keep everything off when I turn it off and until I start it, music, A/C, EVERYTHING! Ive never had so many problems with a vehicle starting, worst vehicle I have owned, if you want to pay over $30,000 for something to sit dead in the parking lot then buy this car!

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  Reliable - 2007 Toyota Corolla
  By bob d - July 30 - 6:03 am

  Corollas are the car you can depend.

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  Maybe not for shorties - 2010 Toyota Prius
  By southerntier - July 25 - 7:06 am

  Just cant get comfortable. Back and bottom hurt after two hours, not like my former ride, a Grand Caravan, which was comfy. Has few adjustments, and I cant find a combination of seat and steering wheel positions that works for me. I am 5 1" and 125 pounds. The console thingy is annoying, maybe because I am so far forward but otherwise cant reach the gas. So this is why it has not been so fun to drive. Averaging 47 mpg.

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  Severely dissappointed - 2006 Toyota Tacoma
  By dunwithtoyota - July 20 - 12:16 pm

  Ive had my 2006 for 7 years now and until recently I loved it. Very reliable and very few problems (compared to the GMs I used to drive). However when I took it for the latest state inspection it wouldnt pass because the frame is rusting away. This problem now seems to be appearing on many 05 & 06 Tacomas. Both the dealer and I contacted Toyota separately concerning this. Toyotas response was basically too bad, now go away. Before this happened I was a big cheerleader for Toyota. Now, Ill never buy another Toyota again

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  great until hidden costs get you... - 2008 Toyota Highlander
  By 4inthecar - July 20 - 12:46 am

  many have noted the tire issue - i had to order mine online and have them delivered to my home - $952. then i had to take them to a tire shop and pay to have them mounted. NEW shocker - at 63k miles and 3 years of age, my water pump died. the dealer says 3 days labor - 24 hours @ $90 hr + the part, $2400 more or less. supposedly they have to drop the engine and the transmission to get to the water pump on the side of the engine. NOT acceptable TOYOTA! what a worthless design. had i seen this coming i would not have bought the car and would have stuck with honda. my honda element has 240k - and only rountine service. the locks are wearing out - but not the engine...