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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  Poor Quality - 2009 Toyota Camry
  By Denver - January 22 - 5:56 am

  I have had this Camry for almost a year, and have put nearly 25K miles on the car. I realize that I purchased the basic model, the LE, but the quality of this vehicle is extremely lacking. Just a few of the issues: - the plastic covers on the sides of the seat are coming off - the automatic lights come on and off in the bright sun light - the radio speakers sound horrible - the gear shifter is not very rigid and easily slides into other gears when shifting - the drivers window squeaks and sticks All of this is on top of all of the recalls. This was my third Toyota, and will be last for a while. I would not recommend purchasing the newer Camry model.

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  Unpleasant Toyota Experience - 2007 Toyota Tacoma
  By Dirtydog1776 - January 20 - 3:40 am

  Purchased this truck to get better mileage than my old 1999 Dodge Dakota. So far gas mileage has been terrible ( I am a careful driver!), the engine is under powered and the rough downshifting on even slight inclines makes the cruise control useless. Ride is spongy, steering is loose, lots of noise from the engine and road.

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  ITS A BUDGET SUV, DRIVE THE COMPETION FIRST - 2017 Toyota RAV4
  By Goose - January 19 - 9:02 am

  I had my vehicle, 2004 4Runner, in the dealer shop and had to rent a car. The Toyo dealer rented cars and I decide on the RAV4 AWD LE. First thing I did was reduce the tire pressure to the vehicles door jam specification. Here is my take. Its not as quiet as my 2004 4Runner, especially on rough roads. On the Freeway it is quiet, so long as the road surface is good. Seats are comfy but the hip bolstering can make it difficult to get out of the vehicle. Stereo sounded pretty good at a stop or stop light, but the sound quality goes down hill as the speed increases. Its nimble and the short wheel base takes all of the credit. The MPG was around 24 with lots of city driving, Im not a lead foot or a grandpa driver. So would I consider this for purchase? No, the deal breaker is the amount of noise that makes into the car. Id like to add that on the previous day I had a 2017 Ford Fusion hybrid and that thing was luxury quiet, on any road surface. I use to have a 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport and that thing was quieter and more fun to drive than the RAV4. So there is my take, good luck with your decision.

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  Not impressed - 2008 Toyota Camry
  By lmarie517 - January 17 - 12:53 am

  This is my first Toyota, and I must say I am not impressed. The car is sluggish at best, transmission shifts often and hard (especially noticeable during braking). The car cant seem to get out of its own way. Transmission also has a very noticeable delay. I cant get rid of this car soon enough.

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  Toyota Tacoma - 2003 Toyota Tacoma
  By Dane Coleman - January 13 - 10:00 am

  The plain Tacoma truck run okay. Not enough of power in the 4cyl. Just little more torque. Cheap seats and interior doors. Thin metal bed and box. The truck should be about 2" higher off the ground. Could be quieter in the cab while the engine is running/ 4cyl

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  Not your favorite toy. Beware!! - 2002 Toyota Sequoia
  By redmanct - January 10 - 3:46 am

  Purchase the suv with 69,000 miles. My wife had been on me about one so I got it for her. First the rear window motor went out. The reason I purchased it Edmunds had such good ratings and its a Toyota. Now at 82,000 miles my transmission went out while my wife were driving it. (@ 82,000 miles) I will never buy another Toyota. Very disappointed.

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  My Third Avalon is a Lemon! - 2011 Toyota Avalon
  By lindy_lou - January 6 - 7:31 pm

  I bought my 2011 Avalon Limited new in Dec.2011. It is not the same quality of my two previous Avalons. Last one was 2002 with 176K miles and it ran smoother and quieter than the new one. Wind comes in window, Im told its normal due to mirrow (doesnt do it on passenger side). Rides rough, worse than my husbands F250 4x4 diesel. Lots and lots of road noise. Not a quiet car at all. Rear passenger window broke (fixed now), rear reclining seat broke (part ordered). Brakes feel mushy, Struts seem non-existent. Car really sat low when 2 adults and 2 teens with 4 bags packed (not heavy..trunk too small to pack much). Toyota dealer tells me everything is normal and up to Toyota specs. Bad Car!!

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  too fast to market? - 2004 Toyota Sienna
  By neil e - January 6 - 2:00 am

  . transmission late kicking down to first . vague steering . weak brakes . 2nd row seating difficult to remove/install . plastic bumper easily chipped . wind noise near top of windshield . rattle in drivers door . poor stereo . difficult to adjust heater controls . position of rear heat/air outlets

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  Fix gas pedal lull - 2004 Toyota Sienna
  By mjroderick - January 6 - 2:00 am

  Acceleration pedal seems to be disconnected from vehicle. When the vehicle is coming to a rolling stop and then you need to accelerate there is no gas pedal for some distance, give it a little extra and you spin the tires when it catches. The problem is amplified in slick road conditions.

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  not impressed - 2002 Toyota Camry Solara
  By zippo - December 30 - 10:00 am

  Rode in one that of friend owns. Can you say rattles? Actually considered buying one and Im satisfied I didnt. The ride and mileage wasnt very impressive either.