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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  I wont buy a used one of these again... - 2012 Toyota Camry
  By Wendybabendy - August 23 - 1:56 pm

  I purchased my Camry used, approximately 2 years ago (so it was only 2 years old) - and while it was obviously abused by the prior owners, I have had nothing but increasing issues with "non-abuse" areas of this car. Rattling (something in the rear - I think a heat protection piece by the exhaust), the front end scrapes badly (not sure whats up with that, I think a bolt fell out), plastic parts falling apart, horrible upholstery... not my favorite car by a long shot. I had to put a dash cover on to prevent glare (it was nearly blinding), and there is WAY too much plastic. I know thats the going "thing" these days (less expensive, etc), but for the price of this car, even used, I expect more. It is comfortable, and has good amenities, but that doesnt make up for the overall poor workmanship otherwise. I am going back to Scion and hoping that they didnt screw that line up like they did this one.

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  Catastrophic Engine Failure/vvt oil leak - 2007 Toyota RAV4
  By Deb - August 19 - 12:10 am

  I used to love this car. I ordered it specifically. We own several Toyotas. After only 37000 miles I had a VVT hose leak spraying the car engine and making loud grinding sound. The dealer will not examine the valves or open the drip pan. I have found this is more common than Toyota is letting on. Toyota has only replaced the hose (60000 power train warranty) and will not agree to look for any damage that may have occurred. The warning light does not come on until the oil is gone and the engine is frozen. Horrible combination. Hope this helps someone else avoid this situation.

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  My mistake, dont make it yours - 2012 Toyota Highlander
  By edgeta - August 18 - 8:26 am

  I made some assumptions & mistakes in buying this car Note the drivers seat on the SE v/s the Limited, Limited has seatpan depth adjustment, SE does not. SE drivers seat is very firm, Limited is not as bad at all. A/C, you cant control the back A/C from the front except to turn it off and on, wherever the back seat passanger left it last, is were it is until you go in the back and change it. (I assumed front could control it). Not enough storage areas within drivers reach. If you have the "silver/grey" console, it refelects sun into your eyes when the sun is high, (I have to use a towel to cover). Now I understand when some reviews say "there is a lot of hard plastic in the interior" ouch

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  Poor Mileage Unreadable Climate Display - 2006 Toyota RAV4
  By R Grimes - August 14 - 1:16 am

  This car is acceptable. I dont get anywhere near the promised mileage. The Premium Radio and Climate control display is unreadable in sunlight while wearing sunglasses. It is a clear safety hazard to try and operate them while driving. They need to be better lit as they are fine at night.

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  LOREN MOORE REVIEW - 2004 Toyota Sienna
  By LOREN MOOORE - August 12 - 10:00 am

  THE NON ADJUSTABLE STEERING WHEEL, OTHER THAN TELESCOPING FEATURE IS NOT AS COMFROTABLE AS THE CHRYSLER LIMITED VAN THAT I OWNED PREVIOUSLY. THE NON MEMORY DRIVER SEAT AND MIRRORS IS ALSO A DRAWBACK. THE POWER FROM THE 3.3 ENGINE DOES NOT HAVE THE POWER EXPECTED WHEN DRIVING IN MOUNTIANS OR HILLS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN CRUISE CONTROL--IT CONTINUES TO DOWNSHIFT WHICH MAKES THE RIDE QUITE UNEASY. DEALER HAS NO ANSWER FOR THIS PROBLEM.

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  Disappointing - 2003 Toyota Camry
  By Richmond - August 9 - 2:53 pm

  Disappointing car considering cost; transmission seems confused at times; poor dash layout; mediocre fuel economy; paint chips easily; overall, not much better than my 99 Camry.

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  My first and last Toyota - 2007 Toyota Corolla
  By lkt82961 - August 7 - 11:03 am

  I bought this car recently with 35,000 miles. I cant say much about the reliability yet, however, this car has a really rough ride as compared to my Nissan Sentra and Honda Civic. The rough ride was unbearable so I spent $590 on Michelin Defender tires which have improved the ride, but it still rides rougher than the other two cars I mentioned. The handling on turns is also poor and there is a rattle in the back ceiling that has been reduced with the new tires, but the car still tends to vibrate and bounce. Also the driver door locks to not work. It also has a very high idle and I dont believe I am getting as good of gas mileage as my other two cars. I am considering reselling.

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  HATE it LOVE it - 2016 Toyota RAV4
  By justadriver - August 7 - 7:18 am

  My version of the 2016 rav 4 is the most expensive with the birds eye view and thinking that spending 40,000 on this car would last me a lifetime, but I am slowly starting to count down the days until I am able to trade it in. Dont get me wrong the birds eye view is great, the blind spot sensors are great, the car is awkwardly high and low at the same time, but what bothers me the most is that I can never get the Pandora or Iheart radio to work. And the apps for Toyota are really horrible. The car itself is spacious if you are no taller than 5"10 so far the Ive only had one oil change, and seems to be running fine, but I only get 23mpg city which seems very low for an eco friendly 4 cyl. car.

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  Failure - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By danger - August 5 - 10:20 pm

  Watch out for ball-joint failures. Toyota wont cover. Dealer claims theres nothing wrong, but car wont go straight above 45mph. It rattles, the rear shocks thump loud and hard every bump (like the 1996). JBL radio is low quality cd, fm, and mp3 all sound the same. You cant open the rear windows above 30 because of the deafening wind noise. The large trans-tunnel gets hot and is tight to the drives right leg.

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  My Big Mistake - 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser
  By FjLoser - August 5 - 5:40 pm

  This vehicle is a Big disappointment. In wind over 25 MPH it is all over the road like a hound dogs breakfast, too many blind spots due to oversized pillars, paint is chipping off faster than you can touch it up. At 3000 mile rear diff replaced. Weather stripping on windows deformed roof leaking form roof rack mounts and the list goes on and on. And the dealer I go to would not do anything about the problems other than the diff. This was the first Toyota I have ever bought and the LAST!