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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  Corolla -S Rocks - 2003 Toyota Corolla
  By brian m - July 2 - 10:00 am

  I have been driving a 92 Camry since 94, I drove it into the Dealer with 194k, I told them that since they only had 4 Corollas on the lot that I would have to order mine, the dealer assured me that the were not in production anymore, so I settled on a Black Corolla S, it had all the options I wanted and more, except for the moon roof, wich the dealer promised me they could install and it would be exactly the same as the factory install, turns out it wasnt nothing like the factory install and after the 24 hour waiting period, I pressed the buttons and it didnt work, its under warranty so I guess they will be fixing it soon, at any rate, driving this car is extremly fun

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  Not a full size - 2016 Toyota Tacoma
  By David Mandle - July 2 - 4:15 am

  Although I am very happy with this truck, folks stepping down from a full size will likely feel a bit cramped. Until they need to park anyway. Then the more reasonable dimensions are welcome.

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  How to ruin a great car - 2018 Toyota Camry
  By DisappointedOwner - July 1 - 10:00 pm

  How to ruin a great car? Put the worst pos nav system in it and discriminate against people who dont have or want a smart phone. Seriously, not offering integrated nav as an option is the worst decision toyota has made. Everything else about the car is great but we like having nav that doesnt require two apps and then tells you to drive through a creek.

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  Corolla LE - 2007 Toyota Corolla
  By paradise_city - July 1 - 8:53 pm

  For an economy car it has ample room for a normal sized person. I like the pep the car has and it can zip around with ease. Nice body styling with very easy to use dash panel controls. The interior does not appear "cheap" like some of the other economy cars. Smooth ride on good surface but you feel it when the road gets bumpy.

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  New Prius a Great Buy - 2007 Toyota Prius
  By DWood - July 1 - 1:33 pm

  Just got a 2007 Prius. Back seats hard & bench like. Wouldnt recommend long drive for passengers in back of this car. Back seats fold down for extra storage, its just right for my sweetie and me to take trips with all our gear, and fewer stops to refuel! Handles very well, fairly quiet, shift between the electric motor and gas engine not noticable at all, good pick up for passsing. Nice storage in 2 gloveboxes & center console. Holds 2 cups, large or small. Dash equip easy to read and operate, cruise control a bit awkward, under the right side of steering wheel. Overall, extremely happy with this car.

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  AWD Tires Frequently Replaced at High Cost - 2015 Toyota Sienna
  By Mike - July 1 - 1:27 pm

  This Van is very good except for the tire problem. The AWD version comes with no spare and run flat tires. The run flat tires last between 14,000 and 18,000 miles and come without a manufacturers warrantee. I drive between 25,000 and 30,000 miles per year. I am now at 35,000 (16 months) and am on my third set of tires. the originals were replaced at 15,500. The second set lasted until 34,700 miles. I just put on the 3rd set. The way we drive, if we keep this van for 5 years, I would spend over $11,000.00 on tires. DO NOT BUY THE AWD SIENNA. You can put on regular tires, but you would run without a spare. If you add a spare, you have to buy a mount for the cargo area, but hen you cant fold down the third row seats for more cargo...

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  first hybrid - 2013 Toyota Prius v
  By kittkatt23 - July 1 - 12:23 pm

  bought this used, <7k in January. it a big improvment over my 08 Mazda 5. The rear room is the same, but the mpg is 2x of Mazda 5! i have hubby, a toddler and 2 mutts. all of us fit just fine. Hubby loves it. it has planty of room for him (62") the entune sys is good. i just wish it would remember the settings so that i dont have to press a dozen buttons just to get pandora to play. i avg out 42.4mpg (fuelly) my computer tells me its almost XX, but its alway -3 of what the computer says. not sure why. love the low maintenence vs Jettas. just tire rotation and oil change. ill be keeping this one for over 5 yrs for sure!

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  Alignment Issues From Day One - 2013 Toyota Tundra
  By dontbuytoyota - July 1 - 11:36 am

  I was so proud when I was able to purchase this truck new, but the feeling didnt last long. After 100 miles of driving, I started to notice excessive wear on the outside edges of the front tires. Then, I started noticing a pull to the right, and hard pull to the right when braking. I went to the dealer with 300 miles on the truck and was told it was an air pressure issue. The pull continued to get worse, so I had the alignment checked, and it was out bad. The front end was aligned, but is not fixed. Now 5 more alignments have been done, and the front tires replaced at 3,500 miles. I contacted Toyota and was told there was nothing they would do because my truck has the TSS package.

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  Poor Toyota quality and service - 2007 Toyota RAV4
  By sandy - July 1 - 10:00 am

  I experienced a windshield tick soon as I purchased the vehicle. Toyota service attempted a fix and it got worse. The tick was intermittent and after several trips to the dealer, and test drives, the dealer resealed the windscreen. The problem resurfaced recently. The dealers are unable to diagnose and fix it. My 36,000 mile warranty is expiring. There is also a rattle around the dash on the passenger side. Toyota is unable to diagnose that problem as well. I occasionally hear other noises and vibrations as well in the interior from the sun roof area and around the passenger door. Toyota replaced defective sun visors, and the glove compartments. The radio display mysteriously would go blank.

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  Very Happy with purchase - 2015 Toyota Sienna
  By Asim - July 1 - 7:43 am

  Only issue is Premium AWD limited has NO ottoman chairs ,no 3rd row automatic recliners chairs,and NO middle console that slide back. ALL these features are included in LIMITED FWD. other wise great car , interior and exterior great , feels like LEXUS VAN in toyota lineup.