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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  the right choice - 2003 Toyota Tundra
  By cb4176 - November 14 - 2:00 am

  handles great corners on 265/75/16s like a car no sway not loose in the rear like you might expect on a pickup good pick-up but the overdrive sticks it up on a jackrabbit exceleration ie. on on-ramps steering maneuverability was impressive on a close call when the other guy blew a stop sign to make a left in the pouring rain within 30 or so feet from me at the mall!

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  Size does matter - 2016 Toyota Camry
  By Rob Crews - November 13 - 3:34 pm

  Its lower to the ground compared to vehicles Ive rented. This makes it difficult getting out, not so much in getting in.

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  Undecided - 2008 Toyota Yaris
  By PhillyGirl - November 13 - 12:03 am

  I bought my 08 Yaris sedan in May after trading in my 01 Mustang. Going from a Mustang to a Yaris was a little scary. But the savings in insurance and gas balanced out the decision. Right now Im undecided on the Yaris. I love that its fun to drive and packs a good punch for a car with a 1.5L engine. However, in the month and a half Ive had it, its now been in the shop twice. When the car was 3 weeks old the keyless entry stopped working. Now, after the car shuttered violently, a bearing broke in the AC compressor, causing the AWFUL noise. I got it home, limping. The car was towed yesterday (how embarrassing for my brand new car!) and Im now waiting for it get done at the shop.. again.

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  We went back for seconds!! - 2011 Toyota Highlander
  By financeman2 - November 12 - 8:36 pm

  The lease on our base model 08 AWD Highlander concluded this month. We very much enjoyed the 08 and decided to purchase a replacement. On 12/18/2010 we picked up a 2011 with the tech package. We especially appreciate the upgraded stereo/sat. radio, blue tooth, back up camera, and rear window hatch in the new vehicle. The drive is identical to the 08. No signficant problems noted following delivery...just a minor rattle from the rear hatch that we will have the dealer address at some point.

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  Great Car but horrible seats - 2002 Toyota RAV4
  By Kristin S - November 11 - 3:23 pm

  I love my Rav4 with the exception of the seats. Toyota really skimped on the comfort factor. The seats are not supportive and feel like they are made out of foam. Other than that I have never had ANY problems with my RAV4. It is the most reliable car I have ever had. Great storage, especially with the large pack "trunk". Handles great, has a great turn radius. Easy to drive but it could definitely use more torque going on hill and passing cars on the freeway. In the next couple of months I am looking to sell my RAV4 and I am looking at Lexus and Acura. The number one feature I am looking for are ergonomic seats and dash board placement which the RAV4 certainly does not have.

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  Takes a licking... - 1998 Toyota Land Cruiser
  By logmusic - November 10 - 4:23 pm

  Our Crusher was given to us by relatives that used it as a parking lot princess. In 10 years it had been dinged, scraped, dirtied and unloved as it was a family workhorse. NY winters did not help. NO scheduled maintenance ever, just generic oil changes, tires and brakes every so often. $4K later (a bargain!), it looks and rides just like new. Best of all it has only 60K on the clock! Even after 10 years of short trips and substandard preventative maintenance, this LC still runs like new! This vehicle is rock-solid and its reputation precedes it, making my analysis superfluous. ;-)

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  Coming from a BMW - 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By Mookie - November 10 - 1:40 pm

  OK, so Im a 4X BMW owner. This time around I decided to try a hybrid. The TCH is no BMW, not in performance, handling nor build quality. But I didnt expect it to be. What did surprise me is that its fun to drive, has a lot of conveniences (with the nav package) and Im getting 35+ MPG. Thats the whole point. I went from 20 MPG to 35 MPG and Premium to Regular. Ive about halved my weekly gas costs. I dont regret my decision. But if I win the lottery I will buy an M6.

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  LUV MY TOY! - 2001 Toyota 4Runner
  By Mike & Millhouse - November 10 - 2:00 am

  Ive been sold on Toyotas reliability since I purchased my 95 Camry. I love the MANLY MAN appearance of the front end (with the non functional, yet asthetically pleasing hood scoop). My 4Runners gotten me everywhere I needed to go, everywhere I wanted to go, and almost back again, which brings me to one drawback. This truck is deceptively heavy! Dont take it into a soft, muddy field! (Incidently, I was doing fine, until the running boards started to drag!) Two hundred thirty dollars is the price of my pride!

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  Superior To American SUVs - 2003 Toyota Sequoia
  By jimmyd - November 9 - 10:00 am

  I have owned Ford and GM SUVs. Tried their 03s including the new Expedition. Sequoia had far superior build quality and materials than Ford or GM. It was quieter than the Expedition for the same money when loaded equally(within $900). It is still rattle and squeak free after 10,000 harsh miles(regularly off road and rough road).

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  Not a bad vehicle - 1996 Toyota Camry
  By bbb - November 9 - 10:00 am

  I bough the car in florida for use in NYC. It had 82K miles at the time, 102K now. The car has been very reliable, just wear and tear, breaks, plugs, oil. However, the car is not suitable for use in the New York Metro area becuase the suspension cannot withstand the potholes. I have had to replace all engine mounts and now the front struts and strut mounts are gone, a 500 dollar job that I am not about to do becuase it is not a safety issue. A friend with a 97 camry has the same problem. So, I think the car is a great choice for a used vehcile, just realize that it will not come uscathed from NYC potholes.