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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  My First new car - 2005 Toyota Highlander
  By spindry - August 12 - 2:36 pm

  Firstly, my last car was a 95 minivan. The HL handles better than the minivan, its mileage, however, is about the same: 14 mpg city (NYC) and 20 mpg HW. I do not accelerate quickly. It brakes and control is far superior!!

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  Avalon is Great Value - 2005 Toyota Avalon
  By Alan - August 12 - 11:06 am

  I test drove Buick Lacrosse, Chrysler 300 and Ford 500. There was no comparison for me. The Avalon blew them away with build quality, comfort , reliability and mpg. It has a 280hp 3.5 liter engine and still gets the best gas mileage of this group. Definitely consider this car!

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  2005 Tundra Double Cab - 2005 Toyota Tundra
  By MM - August 12 - 8:50 am

  I love my new 2005 Tundra. It has plenty of power, looks great, smooth transmission, quiet cabin. I chose the SR5 because you get more choices on colors and I like the Chrome bumpers, mirrors and grill. Chrome isnt available on the Limited. I had the dealer put in the wood interior finish, navigation system, leather seats, heated seats, 17" wheels and tires. I tried to make it as much a limited as possible and saved some money too.

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  Love love love my 2015 Toyota Venza XLE - 2015 Toyota Venza
  By Chelsea - August 12 - 3:46 am

  I test drove countless crossovers and suvs before settling on the Venza (highlander, 4-runner, pilot, escape, explorer, outback, forester, etc). It provides the luxury, comfortability, and safety that I require in a vehicle. I wish it got a little better gas mileage, had a better turn radius, and the Bluetooth were a little clearer. Other than those minor complaints, the Venza has more than lived up to my standards. No complaints from passengers either. Easily fits 63" 250# males in the back seat, without feeling squished. Plenty of leg room for all passengers. I would not trade it in for anything. It was also a great value at $32k new, having all my required features (leather heated seats, panoramic sunroof, keyless entry). Wish they wouldnt have discontinued this model.

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  Great SUV - 2002 Toyota Highlander
  By Great SUV - August 12 - 12:10 am

  Coming up on 120,000. I guess Ill get a tune-up. Every time I take it to the dealer they say its fine. Replaced the brakes once and had a ball bearing replaced. Other than that, it runs great. Husband bought me a new VW CC as an early Christmas gift - but I cant give up this SUV, so hell have to take the new car. I know this sounds crazy -- but why replace it if its running great!!! Plus it has more room and can haul more.

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  Love the Dependability of Ride, BUT NOT the Brakes - 2016 Toyota Sequoia
  By G. R. Ferris - August 11 - 11:50 pm

  This model is in serious need of updating. The style is old & outdated. We were going to potentially purchase a new, Platinum model, but we dont want the old style/look. If Toyota doesnt produce a serious update , well probably purchase some other SUV. Biggest complaint: The brakes. We have constantly had to replace the pads and rotors all TOO often. Corporate office doesnt seem to care about the issue. They need to use vented rotors, to reduce the heat build up. But, thats expensive too. Weve driven across the country a few times and this vehicle has been VERY reliable. The navigation system is in desperate need of updating. Its way behind the times. Radio reception is horrible, compared to our Lexus.

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  Toyotas New Policy: Clunker for Cash - 2010 Toyota Sienna
  By Toyota Victim - August 11 - 12:26 pm

  I bought a brand new Sienna. My wife drove the car with my mother in the passenger seat when we left the dealership. After half an hour, when my wife turned the heater on, the engine started making loud thumping sounds. My mother noticed a glow in the hood. A considerable amount of thick dark smoke started rising from the hood. My wife stopped the car immediately and turned the engine off. Thinking that the engine was about to explode, they leaped out of the car and ran away to a safe distance. The car kept emitting smoke for 30 minutes. Toyota could not diagnose the reason for the problem. Still, it insists that I take this dangerous car back.

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  Bought car used - 2004 Toyota Avalon
  By avalonowner4 - August 11 - 10:26 am

  I bought mine off the Toyota lot used. and it was a great choice. the quality of the leather and the interior design is good for being a Toyota. The roominess of the car is also great enough room for four people to sit comfortably and stretch out.

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  great car! - 2005 Toyota Avalon
  By court811 - August 11 - 2:06 am

  This is my fourth toyota and my second Avalon (last one was a 98). This car rules! Its gorgeous, rides so smooth and has tons of room. It also has lots of interior storage for stuff like cell phones, etc. Love love love this car!!!

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  Great truck, poor gas mileage - 2017 Toyota Tacoma
  By Art - August 11 - 12:58 am

  This is my first truck, after owning bars and small SUV. I have a model with manual transmission. Im getting only 18 mpg on the highway. I expected a little bit better. I bought good stuffed tires and took the truck on snowed in mountain passes. In 4wd it holds the road like a champ. I have a full confidence in it. In 2wd it gets some fishtailing that is immediately corrected by traction control (I didnt have any weight in the bed). Breaking is great. I could feel ABS activating only once, when doing aggressive breaking from 60 mph on sheer ice. It partially may be thanks to good winter tires. Low beam headlights are good, high beam--best Ive seen. Build quality seems to be OK. I found cross-threaded bolt holding belly pan. I have yet to address it with the dealer. I think materials used on dashboard could be better. My wife has 2010 Subaru Impreza and it feels much more refined, although cost just over 1/2 of a price for Tacoma. Telescopic steering wheel is a joke. I cant lift it high enough to comfortably get out of truck. It traps my right thigh between the wheel and the seat. The truck is also missing drivers side handle to assist in getting in and out of the cab (Im fairly fit in late thirties). The biggest gripe I have is the fact that heated seats come only as part of $2000 package. I dont need parking sensors or moonroof, heated seats are nice to have in cold climate. All in all, Im happy with the truck.