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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  Hotrod People Mover!!! - 2003 Toyota Matrix
  By cwert99 - November 9 - 10:00 am

  I am probobly one of the few who has put over 30,000 on my XRS. This car has aged like fine wine. After turning 25,000 miles on it, the engine runs smoother, notably quicker acceleration and the shifter is a little less figity. I love the little VVTL-i engine and the versitility. Perfect for me and my yellow lab and a few friends on a weekend camping trip. No issues with the car to date (not bad with a production number of 4,122). Be sure to have a TRD cold -air intake installed.

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  I am 18 Years Old - 2001 Toyota Camry
  By Romeo - November 9 - 10:00 am

  I am 18 Years old To me the car needed to become more sporty so I have made some changes to the car performance wise. The car alone does need some help in handling and some pick up. I have added an air intake which has boosted HP by about 15 HP. I have also added 17 inch rims that are wider that help give it awesome traction around curves and I notice I donÂ’t have to break around certain turns that, because the car sticks so well to the ground. I have not had any mechanical problems yet. Personally this isnÂ’t the best car for a person my age.

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  Large Blind Spots make it less then good - 2003 Toyota Camry
  By mukesh - November 9 - 10:00 am

  Its been about 7 month since I have this vehicle. Its quite and powerful vehicle with lots of room. Everything is build nice and works well. Drove it 600 miles in one go and no problem. The mileage I am getting is about 18 in city and 23 on highway.

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  Did I say this thing is big? - 2008 Toyota Tundra
  By CATFISH - November 9 - 5:10 am

  This truck is big! It drives, rides and handles great. Its big? It has enough power to handle anything you want to hook it to. Toyota did cut some corners with the tailgate, its light weight compared to the rest of the truck. This thing will fill up a garage, because its big.

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  Lots of fun but only for fun - 2004 Toyota MR2 Spyder
  By erysipelothrix - November 8 - 6:33 pm

  We bought the MR2 from the original owner with 25,000 miles. My wife really wanted one. It is a great car overall but absolutely not practical. Hardly any more room than a motorcycle. I take my daughter to school on the way to work. With my laptop bag, her and me, not much room for anything else. Strictly a car for cruising.

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  Mediocrity - 2012 Toyota RAV4
  By peter - November 8 - 4:20 pm

  I have owned multiple RAV4s; and my family has purchased 6 Toyota cars/SUVS in the past nine years. Our feeling is that the management is profiting by diluting the quality of the brand. The 2012 RAV4 is a relatively competent vehicle, in that it handles all kinds of weather with little drama. It also has large and flexible capacities to move people and goods and very good visibility. The platform has not evolved over a decade of changing oil prices and it remains highly inefficient at 23 miles per gallon in combined driving over 36000 miles for the 4 cylinder model. The 4 speed transmission belongs in the stone age. The brand dilution is most notable in some of the interior materials and the quality of the electronic interfaces. The seat materials in the base and sport models are poor. The seats have relatively good padding but they will stain if water is poured on them inadvertently. Either the company did not test the materials or is profiting from the sale of Scotchguard. The arm rests on the doors are akin to sand paper in the summer; make sure when you test drive this car you do not have on heavy coats as this flaw will become apparent in the warmer months. Most of the interior is lower quality harder plastics, which scratch with ease. The stereo options are uninspired. In our case we experienced electrical problems just after the warranty expired and the dealership had little sympathy. As mediocre as the ownership experience was for this car, it appears the newer models are even less desirable. I look for Toyota to refocus on solid engineering platforms and the highest quality customer experience and to eschew their search for marketing gimmickry and the bottom line that keeps their cars in a constant state of recalls.

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  2008 Highlander Hybrid a success - 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
  By TLB - November 7 - 11:56 am

  The Highlander Hybrid is almost everything we hoped for, typical Toyota near perfect fit and finish. Mileage is averaging 25 after 1st 1200 miles. High tank on Oregon Coast trip of 29 MPG, low tank MPG 23. My experience with hilly areas with any hybrid CVT produce lower mileage figures and holds true with the Highlander. I have owned Escape, Prius and Civic hybrids with this being smoothest drive train transition of any hybrid. Decision between RX 400 and waiting for Highlander has been good one. More room and seating configurations, better mileage.

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  Huge Improvement over previous - 2005 Toyota Tacoma
  By Skylandry - November 6 - 7:23 pm

  I owned a 2000 Frontier and a 2002 Tacoma crew cab 4wd. The 2005 is light years ahead of the both. Ride, comfort and inside finish are excellent. I compared it to the Nissan which had much to offer but the ride and seats were marginal. If you want a compact 4wd truck, the Tacoma is the best truck/value in the game. This truck is even great for long highway commutes. Only thing they need to add is the power window in the back like the Tundra.

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  First Prius - 2010 Toyota Prius
  By Ed Weissman - November 6 - 6:16 pm

  First hybrid owned. Amazing amount of interior space; most versatile small hatchback around. Interior fit and finish a little disappointing (large gaps on chrome trim on steering wheel) and the color matching on the hard plastic surfaces is peculiar. "heads up" display of steering wheel controls not particularly useful; soft control buttons annoying. Handles well for a car with 15" tires. Have noticed the braking issue on uneven surfaces, though. Getting 55+ mph combined mileage without driving abnormally.

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  Unbelievable Drive!! - 2011 Toyota Sienna
  By dustino - November 6 - 6:42 am

  This Vehicle is Worth every last cent!! Went in to trade our 08 Nissan Quest in and wasnt totally sold that I wanted to be upside down in the loan but after driving this vehicle for 2 min I knew we had to have it. The smooth steering and the way this van glides on the road is very impressive.