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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  Toy Truck For Kids and Women - 2003 Toyota Tundra
  By capitolone - March 2 - 10:00 am

  This truck is a 7/8 scale of a full sized truck, it is about like a Dodge Dakota. The back seat is something to look at not sit in. Texaco loves the 14-15 mpg its gets, I dont. The brakes are weird. It doesnt haul a full load, like the Chevy C/K 1500 or Fords 1500. The interior is well designed and it is nice driving. This is a poor imitation of a full size truck. Sorry I got this looser.

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  Major Driveline Problems, wont buy another, Toyota offering arbitration - 2012 Toyota Tacoma
  By 12tacoowner - March 2 - 12:31 am

  I have a 2012 double cab v6 TRD Off-Road, 100% stock. Lemon?? My first Toyota. Bought new from dealer out of state, arrived by transporter and immediately had major drive line vibration. Been to local dealer 3x; in contact with Toyota USA because the dealers cant fix. Read up on this at TacomaWorld, there are many 2012s with this prob, sad. If you must buy, test drive from a dead stop through 30mph, up hill if possible. Putting a load on it makes the prob especially noticeable if its there at all. Toyota modern day quality is sub-par, unfortunately theyre the only mid-size truck with a v6, 4x4, double cab w/ manual trans option. btw, manual trans is made by Aisin = not goo

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  Suspension Problems - 2010 Toyota Tacoma
  By john1961 - March 1 - 1:32 pm

  I am very disappointed with the weak suspension caused by poor design. This is my 3rd Toyota truck and after poor response from Toyota Canada probably my last. For the sake of $350.00 for a solution they are willing to lose a longtime loyal client. If anyone has had success with Toyota to correct the problem I would like to know. Toyota were once known for their quality and durability but now I feel its all about money

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  Disapppointed - 2004 Toyota Corolla
  By disappointed - February 28 - 5:53 am

  I had a Camry that I loved. It averaged 30 mpg. It was a 1993 so time for a new car. I decided to go down to a Corolla since I didnt need such a large car. But I am so disappointed. I am averaging 17 miles a gallon city driving. I took it back to the dealership and they claim that is the average for this car. Of course when I bought it the sticker said 29 mpg for city driving. I would never have purchased it if it said 17 mpg. I did buy it used. It was 3 years old with low mileage. Also was certified. But have already had dead battery twice, which they did replace.

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  Poor Quality in a Corolla - 2004 Toyota Corolla
  By merh - February 24 - 12:26 pm

  My family has owned Toyotas for as long as I can remember. We had a great 1984 corolla that lasted FOREVER, over 200,000. My 2004 corolla however is not match. I am rolling up on 100,000 miles and had more small problems that I can stand. So far in the a 6ish years that I have had the car, I have had to replace the serpentine belt twice and the pulley system once. To add insult to injury, the belt started squeaking again with in a year of it being replaced! The lights on the gear shift are burnt out and Ive had to have the window pulley system replaced. The steering wheel is too recessed in the dash. Toyota made the car more "lux" but definitely skimped on the quality. It feels cheap!

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  The Herky Jerky Car - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By Chuck - February 23 - 8:40 am

  As a twenty year devout Toyota owner, I regret greatly that I bought this car. Acceleration is anything but smooth, especially when the engine is cold or the air conditioning is on, but it will unpredictably falter on you even with no air conditioning and a hot engine. This is the most frustrating nuisance and can occur just when you need that expected response most - creating a danger as well. Visits to the shop result in them telling me that it is functioning as desinged. "Get used to it" is the best they can tell me. Test drive before you buy. I am told that not all 2007 Camrys perform like mine.

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  Cramped design - 2001 Toyota Corolla
  By Rich Speaker - February 18 - 2:00 am

  This was my second Toyota. My first was a Tercel and lasted me twelve years. Ive had this one for two months and I gave up and traded up to the 2003 model. The front was cramped and difficult to get into. I am only 5 7 1/2" but I found that the seat would not go back far enough so that I could use the pedals without turning my feet in uncomfortable ways. In addition the suspension was very flimsy. It would bottom out on simple bumps. Otherwise it was a Toyota. It handled well and was well made.

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  Wish I kept my 08 Highlander - 2010 Toyota Venza
  By jane lebel - February 15 - 2:00 am

  Carpet between brake & accelerator soggy & lifted, keyless entry does not always work. When drivers seat is up for a short person review mirror is right in line of vision, seams on dash reflect 2 black lines on windshield (very distracting) I would never recommend this particular Toyota to anyone! This is my fifth leased Toyota too recent a purchase to have experienced any of the mechanical problems I have read about I only have 1,700 miles

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  Not Toyota Quality - 2006 Toyota Sienna
  By daddio1 - February 15 - 2:00 am

  Bought the Sienna after my Caravan died 4 years ago. I hate to say that this Sienna has been worse maintenance- wise than my Caravan. Im on my third set of brakes, my power door locks have all been replaced and my A/C compressor went out twice. Every time I take it in to have the power door locks fixed they look get this look on their faces like its the first time theyve ever seen the problem although a friend of mine who works at a Toyota dealership told me its been a fleet wide problem for years to include the same 4 Lexus door locks Ive had replaced. Now my left CV joint is clanking. The staff at the dealership acts like they work at Rolls Royce or something. Frustrating.

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  We Expected Much Better - 2007 Toyota Corolla
  By waldteufel - February 14 - 2:47 pm

  Our 2007 Corolla LE AT was our fifth new Toyota purchase since 1989, and it will be our last. The quality of design and build, ride and fuel economy of this vehicle are very poor. The AC compressor didnt work from the start due to a small projectile impact that damaged the fins; the thing is placed low, in front and has more than a foot of open air space between it and the road. $1,200 to replace it. The road noise, stiff ride, and engine vibration is off the chart awful, but what worries me is the loud ticking when the engine is cold. It sounds like the valves/lifters are starved for oil, or what Toyota service people call "normal."