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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  Squinty eyed driver - 2016 Toyota Camry
  By Starr Grubb - January 23 - 12:03 pm

  If you are driving where there is sunshine.....surprise! The visers in this car are of NO benefit, they are much too short to block sunlight. When I make a left turn, no way to see side of car or how to navigate a turn. I see the panel at the windshield and the mirror! The console is pushed back so I cannot open it..while I drive...it is a nuisance more than anything. This Camry takes off slowly and most times, it gets past that and jerks as it groans to pick up speed! My 2003 Camry is the reason I wanted another one! But I wished a thousand times I would have gotten a different vehicle! I would love to sale this Camry now! Or if I could turn it back in and get a refund...I would completely satisfied! I can honestly say I hate my new Toyota Camry. 2016. It may have several airbags for safety but the way they are arranged in car is mind boggling and blinds your vision to things outside you should be aware of on the road! Yessirreee.....my eyes are tired from squinting to see how to drive this vehicle and yes I hate the whole package!!

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  EXPENSIVE JUNK - 2004 Toyota Tacoma
  By santafenm - January 16 - 12:00 pm

  Cannot drive when snowing as transmission linkage freezes in Drive. Have to carry cement blocks in bed so I can block wheels when frozen. Have to wait til temp is above freezing to get into N or P to start. Took to dealer. They didnt fix it - just thawed it out and gave it back to me. Just got out of shop as a rock hit the underside of truck on a dirt road and punctured the gas tank ($700 to fix). I own a $30K 4WD pickup that cannot be driven on dirt roads or in the snow - AWFUL.

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  Just RUN! - Burns Oil, Toyota wont fix. - 2009 Toyota Camry
  By John in San Diego - January 12 - 9:15 pm

  At 100k miles, we had to replace both axles, as the CV joints failed. Headliner started falling at 6 years old. The WORST part is the engine: The 4cyl engine, used in a number of Toyotas is junk. They burn oil like crazy. Toyota recognizes the design flaw, but wont fix anything unless the car burns more than a quart of oil per 1,000 miles. Thats NUTS! My Tundra at 170,000 miles burns NO oil!

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  Great car if you like Squeaky Seats - 2011 Toyota Sienna
  By marktuyet - January 11 - 12:22 pm

  Nice looking mini van but Toyota skimped on the quality of the interior especially the seats. Imagine your surprise after buying an expensive automobile and every time you or a passenger are in it the seats squeak terribly. I am talking about all the seats. The seat backs squeak and the seat bottoms squeak when you shift your body weight the slightest. They squeak when you pull away and when you brake the van. The second row seats can be removed but you are left with a big,bulky track above the floor level. Terrible design ! I have owned this vehicle over 1 year and have over 20,000 miles on it.

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  Dont buy this truck! - 2003 Toyota 4Runner
  By JVaughn4 - January 10 - 10:00 am

  This is an awful vehicle. It has horrible emissions INSIDE the cabin. The gas mileage is also terrible - 14 mpg on the hwy on premium fuel and horrible emissions INSIDE the cabin. Research before you buy. Take at look at the sulfur problems on Edmunds.com car discussions. Take a look at NHTSA site too at all the complaints of emssion smells inside the cabin.

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  dont do it!!! - 2016 Toyota Tacoma
  By Jr - January 9 - 9:42 pm

  I just got this truck and only has 1500 miles on it. I like the interior and technology. I actually like everything about the truck except engine/transmission combo. The engine is pretty good in ECT mode but the problem is you have to hit that button every time you start it. The transmission is by far the worst i have driven in the 24 vehicles i have owned. I am cruising at 55mph on flat ground and the truck is shifting up and down at a steady speed as it doesnt know what gear its supposed to be in. Completely takes away the enjoyment in driving it. In the last 15 years i have only bought toyotas as i cant believe i am saying this, this will be my last one for awhile and Im going to open a case with Toyota to try and get my money back. Its really too bad cause i really wanted to like this truck since i spent the money on it. The good thing is i only make mistakes once.