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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  Not impressed! - 2001 Toyota Corolla
  By Ibrahim - August 19 - 2:00 am

  The Corolla S sport dissapoint any driver. It had a great potential to become the leader in its class, unfortunaly Toyota are very tradional when coming to introducing a small popular sport car.

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  Problems Galore - 2001 Toyota Highlander
  By mbaker1277 - August 19 - 2:00 am

  I purchased my Highlander in 2001 after seriously considering other vehicles. For the first year it was great. Now I have had major problems with the quality of the vehicle. I have had to totally replace the air conditioner, totally replace the heater, and have the rear leather seat repaired as it came loose from the seat. Alot of the moldings have separated and come loose around the seats. There is also a very loud rattle in the front of the car. I dont expect this many problems with a $30,000 car with only 23,000 miles on it. I am seriosly considering selling it.

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  annoying transmission bump - 2009 Toyota 4Runner
  By kj23 - August 17 - 11:50 am

  Bought late in season and have had it for 2 years now. Truck drives and handles well. Fuel mileage better than expected. Only complaints are for an upscale truck many little things left off, ex:no vanity lights, no power seats silly heat/ac controls. But the most annoying is a bump you feel after you stop and let your foot off the brake. It feels as if you are bumped from behind. It has been to the dealer many times hoping they will come up with a fix but no luck yet. The dealer is aware of problem, they call it differential backlash and it is a design defect. In the long run it cannot be good for transmission or my sanity. I am trading truck for another make any day now. Stay away.

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  Disappointed - 2006 Toyota RAV4
  By T. Thompson - August 12 - 1:26 am

  Couldnt wait to get a RAV4. I did get one in April 2006, trading it tomorrow. Complained to dealer on the 11 mpg around town, 17 on trips. I was told it would get better after 4-5000 miles. Now have 8400 miles - yes after 11 months and getting 17/21 and the small tank, not good. Three times I have had my ignition key not turn and keep trying, one time it took 4/5 minutes (no joke) before it turned, almost ready to call for help. I dislike the swing tailgate and find it very hard to clean. So, no more RAV4, taking a chance on another SUV that is well reviewed and hoping for better mpg.

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  Design Flaws in my Toyota Convertible - 2004 Toyota Camry Solara
  By Nancy Yanes Hoffman - August 9 - 10:00 am

  1.NO TAPE DECK! Tape deck removed and replaced with useless map guide. 2. Passenger front seat is not electric. 3. Neither trunk nor passenger door can be opened with a KEY. Can only be opened from INSIDE the car. 4. Huge pillowed blocks bar rear-view visibility. Even with cushions removed, rear bar hinders visibility. 5. Only one electronic key given at purchase. 6. Coffee holders not firm and secure. Coffee always spills over. 7. Clock not brightly back-lit and poorly placed. You cant read the time from the drivers seat. 8. Virtually no room between front and back seats, which make the back seat useless. 9. CD only plays one CD at a time.

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  Not thrilled with Quality does not feel like Toyota product - 2005 Toyota Sienna
  By gigi24 - August 8 - 2:36 pm

  I am really disappointed about the quality of 2005 Toyota Sienna. It has 112,000 miles and about 8 months ago things starts braking one at a time. Here are some of the issues I have uncounted. * Tries are rotated at every 5,000 miles and alignment at every 15,000 miles still Tires wear at an angle. * Cracks start appearing on the dash board, now cracks are expanded across entire dash board. * Power steering rack start leaking on the both ends and dealer wants $1,800 replace it * Rubbers hosing that holds antenna broken and other rubber items stats cracking * The glue that holds glass to the windows motor came off . * Tailgate struts broken rear door does not keep up.

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  Toyota Quality? - 2005 Toyota Matrix
  By Keith - August 8 - 10:23 am

  Issues: 1)Noisey front end. Dealer says its the tires (Continentals) and wont do anything about it. 2)Needed a serpentine belt at 12,500 miles. Why? 3)You have to sit on the passenger seat to move it. 4)Auto locks will automatically relock 30 seconds after you hit the button. 5)Driver side window broke at 11,000. Took the dealer 2 trys to fix it. 6)Auto Transmission is "iffy" coming down hills. 7)Rear windshield wiper is noisey even if its new. (And a new one costs 20 bucks) 8)Spoilers are too low to the ground. Every matrix XR I have seen in parking lots have theirs broked right in front of rear wheels (they bottom out over speed bumps.)

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  Dont buy this car - 2004 Toyota Prius
  By biker bob - August 7 - 9:20 pm

  The Prius has had 2 recalls so far, the CD player was replaced once already and the new one doesnt play most CDs, I have a bad leak behind the dash and my floors got soaked and now with the cold weather my floor is frozen. Im waiting for my appointment to bring the car in. Ive had the car 8 months and its been in the shop 3 times already and its going again. My fuel mileage isnt the same since the computer recall, and no one can tell me why. The best city mileage Im getting is bet. 28 and 35 MPGs. I cant wait to sell this thing.

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  wobbling sound - 2002 Toyota Sienna
  By francis sanchez - July 31 - 10:00 am

  Upon releasing the accelerator @30mph to 25mph with windows close at night. You will noticed like a humming sound.Which cant be detected/fixed by TOYOTA.

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  could be better - 2007 Toyota Corolla
  By camille brooks - July 31 - 4:23 am

  I am not happy with my 2007 toyota Corolla.....Le....Had to replace brakes already...and tires, as well....have 47,000 miles...car bucks upon acceleration......have been a Honda owner most of my adult life...will go back to HONDA...no more toyotas for me