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:

• 

  A sweet ride for computer geeks - 2009 Toyota Venza
  By Ron Weber - July 1 - 3:20 am

  We got the navigation system, which I really thought we didnt need, especially since you cant get it with the entertainment system. But the touch screen just cant be beat for information and fun if you like computers. The car is very luxurious and the ride is just about a perfect compromise between comfort on the road and on dirt or sand. I dont know what those folks who knock the ride are talking about. The 20" wheels do make for a little harshness, but big bumps are taken in stride. Dont even think about getting the four cylinder engine. Even the 6 cylinder is short on low end torque, but pulls nicely once you get moving.

• 

  So far, awesome! - 2009 Toyota Yaris
  By stephen portier - July 1 - 12:16 am

  I have only had this car four months and I already have 20,000 miles and nothing has gone wrong. I am in my car all day for about 175 miles on average and I have nothing to complain about. Sure its not the fastest thing in the world but who expected that? And everything else about it is perfect. Mine stays in a straight line for hours. Not to mention perfect gas mileage for not even being hybrid. I may not know everything but I love this car.

• 

  A fine car for the money... - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By faldoc - June 30 - 8:10 pm

  I bought this V6 XLE only 3 days ago, but I already have about 450 miles on it. This is a very smooth car to derive, with a compliant and supple suspension. It is very fast, with smooth shifting, yet it is very quiet with very good isolation from road noise. It has a bit of thump on certain road surfaces. The V6 is very responsive. In mixed driving I got 27.8 mpg. On the highway it seems to get about 32 mpg. I like everything about the car: styling is good inside and out, with a luxurious feel and attractive leather and fake wood. I find the seats very comfortable, driving on the Interstate for an hour a time, or on country roads for 2. There is adequate trunk storage, and useful nooks.

• 

  Toyota Camry - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By Paul - June 30 - 7:10 pm

  Very soft to be driven. I think it is one of the best cars I have owned. I would recommend this vehicle to anybody who wants a sedan.

• 

  Transition from performance to economy - 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By DB1947 - June 30 - 3:16 pm

  Replaced a 2002 Acura TL Type S, went from fast driving to a more relaxed pace. Hybrid has made this transition easy. While responsiveness and acceleration is less, overall performance is on par. I drive a little slower, dont take the passing lane as often, but end up arriving in the same amount of time, but feeling more relaxed and having used way less gas. I still routinely hit 80 MPH, but try to keep it lower, while averaging about 38-39 MPG. Interior is comfortable and very quiet. Handling is a little soft, but adequate. No major complaints: steering wheel is too narrow and hard to grip for long periods, rear visibility is difficult, brake pedal angle is to high.

• 

  Dont buy into the hype - 2016 Toyota Camry
  By John Mason - June 30 - 12:30 pm

  We have a 2016 Camry with perpetual brake problems and has been into Toyota dealers (2) numerous times. We are so frustrated by the issue we tried to take back to the dealer we purchased from and see if they would allow us to trade to another Camry with similar features. They would not accommodate. This was our first Toyota, and will be our last.

• 

  Cabin Noise is terrible - 2016 Toyota Highlander
  By pjd - June 30 - 12:00 pm

  We set a decibel meter in the the cabin and at 70 mph the 93 db reading requires hearing protection by the federal government. You get engine noise at low speed and tire noise along with wind noise at speeds higher than 45 mph. The engine always seems to act as if it is working to keep up at the 55 - 65 mph and the fuel mileage on two long trips of Interstate in excess of 300 miles has not been above 19.7 miles per gallon, currently only have 4100 miles on auto. JBL radio speakers are poor and there is not a setting that will pair volume with increased sound so in town at 40 mph your radio volume is set at 12 for volume and on the highway at 70 mph you need to turn the radio up to a setting of 28. This is my forth Toyota and it will be my last.

• 

  2003 Toyota Corolla LE - 2003 Toyota Corolla
  By brian - June 30 - 8:40 am

  This is one of the best cars in the world for the price and more. I love my Corolla. Turns on a dime, great gas mileage avg 25-27 mpg at speeds of 80-90 all the time. Over 6 yrs ownership, and oil changes and tire rotations are your only maintenance items needed. Excellent ride, great interior, lots extras, @ 74,000 miles it still feels new, with new tires and struts, this will feel like a brand new car. Everyone that drives in my car, complements it in one way or another. Compare it to any car out there and it can compete. Better reliability than a BMW or Mercedes for half the money.

• 

  Defects in design - 2014 Toyota Corolla
  By flyhi152 - June 30 - 6:50 am

  whenever something is wrong with the car, Toyotas answer is: the car is designed like that. The GPS is designed to take me to addresses several miles from their actual location. it is designed to take me in circles and it is designed to take me several miles into dead end streets. (I paid about $ 1,500 Dollars for this feature and have to stick my 4 year old Garmin onto the windshield). Also, I got a speeding ticket because the speedometer is designed to be unreadable when the sun shines through the window. Within a few months I have seen several 2014 Corollas driving with the taillights off.

• 

  Not Impressed - 2008 Toyota Corolla
  By nomoretoyota4 - June 30 - 6:44 am

  Bought this car end of 2007. Car would just accelerate while I was driving it or putting the brake. Almost caused an accident; very scary. Had to take it in for the recall; check engine light went on; occasionally would not start. Had a leaky brake; mechanic stated it was flaw in manufacturing. Have approx. 53,000 miles on the vehicle and the exhaust pipe rusted through right before the muffler. Other issues include: hard to see out the back window due to backseat head rests, archaic design, ice freezes in the trunk cover in the winter; ends up in the trunk every time its opened. In other words, I did not care that the car was ugly, just wanted something reliable. I am NOT IMPRESSED.