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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  Disappointed - 2009 Toyota RAV4
  By Dissapointed - October 15 - 2:30 pm

  Leased this car for my kid. The transmission shifts and sounds like a cement mixer. The interior is wall-to- wall plastic with no soft areas. The push button glove box is kind of quirky and small. The center console that houses the radio looks and feels like something from a K-Mart appliance center. The fuel filler door is riveted on and has the feeling it is going to be pulled off if too much pressure is exerted. Car is relatively slow. I should have leased the Jeep Patriot or Ford Escape. RAV4 is acceptable, but certainly not anything that is above the others including the domestics. This is the last Toyota I will purchase.

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  My report on 2006 Sienna LE - 2006 Toyota Sienna
  By c. fill - October 15 - 4:56 am

  I purchased this vehicle because I had a 99 Sienna and was quite pleased with it although it had over 100,000 miles and felt like a new one. However, I have been disappointed in this purchase and wish I had my old Sienna back and repaired what was wrong. The ride on the new 06 is very rough and when I asked about it they said it was the way it is made. Also, the gas mileage is much lower than I expected. So far only getting 16 mile per gallon in city. So with the rough ride and the low gas mileage it has been a disappointing experience considering the price. I really expected a much nicer ride and nicer vehicle all around and feel like it is not.

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  Compromise - 2015 Toyota Corolla
  By Noemi - October 6 - 3:49 am

  My son insisted I get a Toyota. Within two weeks after getting my 2015 Toyota corolla, my lower body began to experience discomfort and pain. After a month of driving my car I visited my chiropractor and explained to him that since I purchased my car (never told him what I purchased) I have been having hip, knee and ankle/foot issues. He asked me "did you buy a Toyota? My eyes got big because I knew this was the problem I just did not know what was causing the problem exactly. He said the seats do not have the support the body need to function well. Getting out of my car feels like I am an 80 year old woman. I am still having issues and what is most interesting, my son also purchased a 2015 Toyota as I did and is having the same issues. This is the biggest regret when purchasing a car. I like to say I love my car but I do not. It is a pretty car no doubt. By the way, we are not the only ones having these issues and now that you know my experience you will probably realize that the pain and discomfort you are feeling came from driving your Toyota...at least a corolla! Yes, I am looking into trading this virus in. Toyota compromised comfort for looks.

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  Read this before you purchase a Camry - 1997 Toyota Camry
  By rickaroo1122 - October 5 - 10:00 am

  I had purchased this car from my mother who had bought it brand new in 1997. It has been trouble since. One problem after another. Rebuilding its engine didnt help. Still blew a rod and basically had the whole engine built again. Get around 20 miles to the gallen highway driving. I drive it like a old lady and very rarley floor it. I am selling it and going with a acura. Somthing a little more reliable hopefully. Basically three engines in it and still runs bad. My vote is never by another Camry.

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  just a car with noise... - 2016 Toyota Camry
  By Amin - September 27 - 4:47 am

  this car is the worst car I had ever. weak engine, very noisy dashboard, very slow transmission. when you want to reach for example to 50 mile this car goes to 30 and after put the transmission on the higher level. sometimes more than one!!. and after that you feel that you have nothing under you feat. Toyota just wants to show fuel consumption. the dashboard on two side has noise the same sound. when I toke the car to deal for 3 times they just said no we didnt hear any sound!!!.

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  What a Mistake!!! - 2004 Toyota Tacoma
  By Cravix02 - September 19 - 12:46 pm

  I have a very annoying clunking sound when stopping and when taking off; seems like the transmission was slipping, and or the drive shaft was very loose. Took it to the dealership in Greenville, and Greer, and they said it is normal, that they drive like that... What a piece of junk. I bought it believing it was going to be like my old 87, but it is not even close. It also has a whistling sound in the cabin, even when at idle, Toyota also said it is normal, it vibrates, and nobody seems to find the problem, I have new tires and rims, balanced and aligned 4 times, at different places, and Toyota says it is not too much of a vibration!

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  Front seats extremely painful - 2006 Toyota Corolla
  By Nancy - August 29 - 2:40 am

  The seat is hard and made in 2 lumps. The one at the back is where upper truck puts all weight in one spot on buttocks causing pain and numbness of the entire leg. The lump in the front tips upward and presses on the pressure point of artery on the back of the leg. The foot rest keeps prevents the leg from having any place to strech the leg that is numb and tingling from the pain caused from the seat. The footrest is so high that if the leg is somewhat in a less painful position, you cannot reach the clutch engagement point. The lower section of the dash is so low your the shin bone hits it when engaging the clutch or trying to move leg from bent position forced by footrest.

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  Very Bad in The Snow - 2006 Toyota Avalon
  By The Rev. J. Wilson - August 21 - 10:06 am

  I really liked my new Avalon until it snowed. The traction control keeps me from going up any kind of steeper hills!! I was not able to get up a slight grade near my church because once the front tires started slipping the traction control shut off all power. I have never experienced anything like that. The dealership says I cannot turn off the traction control device, which leads me to believe Ill go back to driving my old Lincoln in the winter, which I gave to my son too early!

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  Under Powered - 2002 Toyota Tundra
  By joel7 - August 14 - 5:30 pm

  Underpowered for hauling and towing.

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  2008 Rav4 - rough ride - 2008 Toyota RAV4
  By Lee - August 13 - 10:03 am

  Just bought a 2008 Rav4 4cyl fwd, base model with a few extras. A friend has an 05 and loves it; another has one of the original Ravs and loves it. Something must have changed. You can really, really feel the road; very rough ride. Seats are very uncomfortable. The interior is new milenium plastic. The car has an unexplained "clink" on shifting, exceleration and braking. Burned plastic smell (like I picked up a plastic bag on the muffler - hope that goes away). Really disappointing ride