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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  Dont be afraid to dream - 2006 Toyota Camry Solara
  By Barb - May 18 - 12:53 pm

  I bought this car on my 50th birthday. I was looking for a convertible which would go in the snow, have enough trunk room to carry my families groceries, have more than two people in the car and make me feel like a kid again. This car has it all. One summer day with the top down and the fantastic factory stereo turned up to a favorite song of the 70s, I felt like a 16 yr old in my dads car. I dont think any other car could give me that. The only complaint, if it is one, is that on cold days going over some bumps the window glass seems to creak until it gets warm. The car looks like a more expensive and exotic model without the price tag. A hybrid model would have been perfect.

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  Now I know why Toyota is the worlds best selling ! - 2016 Toyota Highlander
  By Steven Glass - May 18 - 10:21 am

  My Highlander is the top of the line with every option. It is very lux and actually an easy replacement for my previous SUV a BMW X5. It is lighter by 1000 lbs and has 45 fewer bhp. The performance is comparable and the quality is superior! Im looking forward to not having $3000 repair bills to replace an alternator and then an air conditioning compressor.

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  Love the Car - Not the Corporation... - 2007 Toyota Prius
  By Iowa Driver - May 18 - 8:13 am

  I bought the car new. Really ticked me off when it didnt (and still hasnt) gotten the 65/55mpg that it was rated. I get 44-46 most of the time. Really like the storage in the back under the floor. I like the quiet running what I call "Stealth mode". Some things I dont like are how blazing hot the top of the display gets in the summer, the reflection of the light from the dash display onto the windshield at night, but most of all the bad, bad, bad customer service. The paint just peels off of my front bumper and because the territory rep wont approve fixing it (even tho it was still under warranty) they wont fix it. So now I drive around a car with peeling paint.

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  I gave up on my 2014 hybrid for a 2015 XSE V6 - 2015 Toyota Camry
  By Tim Ziemba - May 17 - 11:31 am

  My last car was the 2014 Camry XLE hybrid. Due to handling, performance, look, and whirring sound I took a heavy loss and rolled it into a new 2015 XSE V6. The hybrid was ok for certain consumers but my aggressive driving style, and I guess I even wanted a car that looks great as well. Some bonuses are better stereo, much more technology (entune apps, qi, nav, backup cam, homelink, LED lights, and more), sunroof, incredible handling for a camry, excellent performance in all driving conditions, comfortable seats. All the good things that existed in the 2014 still carry over such as toyota quality, good mileage, roomy interior and trunk , easy to use controls. The 18 low profile wheels look amazing, definitely not camry like, the sport mode and paddle shifters can be quite fun, the v6 glides to an impressive 6 second 0-60 and is easy to keep quiet under brisk acceleration (unlike my previous hybrid).

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  Experience of a former Corolla Driver - 2008 Toyota Prius
  By PriusDriverInKaty - May 17 - 3:36 am

  I have been averaging 50 MPG in my first week of ownership, driving on the Grand Parkway/I-10/Beltway 8. The car does not handle as a peppy Corolla, but has more passenger room. The cargo space is not as big as a Corolla, but adequate to haul the weekly groceries. Be sure to buy "vehicle shield" or the road noise will get to you. As a techno-geek, I enjoy driving the car.

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  LOVE THE CAR...HATE THE BUMPY RIDE!!! - 2010 Toyota Venza
  By wjfun - May 16 - 2:42 pm

  I purchased my car in Nov 2011, didnt notice the bumpy ride right away. I love everything about the car except the ride. Ive been told its the tires. Does anyone else have this problem and if so what have you done about it? I hate to spend the money on new tires and that does not solve the problem. Although I have read other blogs and people have complained of the bumpy ride....great car but I want a smoother ride....HELP!!! wjfun

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  I will always own a Prius - 2012 Toyota Prius
  By Johnny Wang - May 16 - 5:06 am

  Bought my 2012 in 2011 brand new to replace an Infiniti G35. Was tired of wasting $350 in premium gas each month with all the driving that I do. My brother convinced me to get a Prius so I figured I would give it a try. I am hooked. It is a wonderful feeling to know you can go anywhere you want and gas will never be an excuse not to go. The car has really held up through all the miles and 4 minor accidents I was involved in. I took a look at the brake pads at 115,000 miles and they were only worn down halfway. Thats ridiculous. My G35 needed new brakes every 60k miles. All I do is change the oil & filter after 10k miles. Gas it up and go. Tires cost me about $260 every 3 years. I also take my Prius up to the mountains for snowboarding. I have studded tires and my car can pretty much go everywhere the Subarus and SUVs go. Have not had any issues with the battery pack but I already set aside $1500 from the gas savings over the last 6 years to replace it with a remanufactured one when it does fail. Everything still works on the car like brand new, the only things I have replaced are the headlight bulbs. I will always have a Prius. They are pretty much bulletproof.

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  New 2011 Prius owner - 2011 Toyota Prius
  By wizard10 - May 16 - 2:16 am

  I bought a 2011 Prius 3 3 weeks ago and I love it. I wanted to post here for others that might be looking and save a step. I bought the Prius because of my 150 mile daily commute and had prevoiusly owned a FORESTER. As much as the Forester is a great car I was avg 24 miles and filling up 3 times a week. The Prius is great to drive, comfortable for a 6 ft person, great gas mileage.. the car is easier to get into than the Forester, seats are firmer than the forester.. Anyway, I looked at the new Hyundai Sonata Hybrid and it does not compare..main reason besides gas is the trunk- the battery takes up so much space that you only have 10 sq ft of space- you cant put anything in there.

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  Best car I ever owned. - 2008 Toyota Prius
  By Bernie Neumann - May 16 - 12:13 am

  Comfortable car which performs well. Repair costs were minimal, and fuel economy is great.

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  A pleasure - 2009 Toyota Tacoma
  By feesey - May 15 - 10:06 pm

  This truck surpasses my 2 previous Toyota trucks in comfort and features, inside and out. Last Toyota was a 99 SR5 4x4. After 10 great years, lost to the 08 frame recall for which I was reimbursed . No other vehicle was better in its class. Looking at fuel prices and my new status as a senior, a modest baseline, 4x4 4 banger was my choice. I tested heavily before I bought, steep mountain grades on gravel to blacktop straightaways with 1/4 ton of clay aboard (quite a sight at the dealership!). Pleasantly surprised at power and agility. The 2.7-4 really performs, unexpectedly quiet, watch the tach. Front transmission is now on a switch - nice touch. Cab is roomy.