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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  Sienna 2004 XLE Limited - 2004 Toyota Sienna
  By bph - January 14 - 2:00 am

  The Toyota 2004 Sienna XLE Limited is the perfect minivan. I absolutely love this van!

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  Wonderful Van - 2004 Toyota Sienna
  By BWW2 - January 14 - 2:00 am

  Purchased my XLE Limited with the Nav package (HO)from a dealer rather than the Special Order that I initially had tried - 5 months of pure frustration. The van is a lot of fun to drive and maneuvers very well in parking garages and while driving on curvy roads. Its very stable. I can now accelerate with most vehicles, something I couldnt do with my AWD T&C. The van is exceptionally quiet, smooth, and solid. The all around driver visibility is head and shoulders above other vans, pickups, and almost all cars. What fun it is to drive and I can actually feel the road while driving.

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  Can you really see safely - 2010 Toyota Prius
  By Alice - January 13 - 11:50 pm

  Dont be talked into any Series under a IV. You need the back up mirror since its impossible to see what is behind you especially if its low. This car has dangerous blind spots in the rear and the front. TEST TEST TEST. Yes, the fuel economy is great, but its not worth the injuring myself much worse someone else. The seat adjustments are stiff. Impossible to do from the inside. If you are 52" or under definitely dont buy this car. You cant see out the front either. The interior design is very confusing. Ive yet to find the trip odometer. Maybe it doesnt exist. Many rattles too. Im trading as soon as I can make time.

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  Defective Electronics - Toyota Avalon - 2006 Toyota Avalon
  By The Gadget Guru - January 13 - 8:20 pm

  Having spent 20 years as a Technology Reporter, I may not know much about transmissions, but I know consumer electronics. While the 2006 Avalon delivers a smooth ride and a great "bang for the buck," its electronics are defective.

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  Great car except for the transmission :( - 2003 Toyota Matrix
  By tuxristo - January 13 - 7:13 pm

  I have found it to have just enough power, just enough size. I can fit anything in it. Its very comfortable on long trips. The manual transmission makes it nice to drive, since the engine is a bit small, but the great gas mileage more than makes up for it. But I dont trust it. Since the transmission failed at 108,000km with no explanation from Toyota, I am always worried that it will fail again, or that some other bearings will fail and leave me stranded, so for the last six months its been stressful to take this car on a longer trip. Theres nothing worse than not "trusting" your car! All in all, I love my Matrix, but I dont trust it.

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  Great Vehicle - 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
  By rav171 - January 13 - 3:20 pm

  My Highlander has over 33000 miles. To get the best mileage, the driver should make maximum use of the cruse control. That allows the computer to control the engine torque and continuous variable transmission (CVT). That way, the computer maximizes the gas efficiency while maintaining the speed that is set. I get 32 MPG driving 60 MPH on up and down highway roads in upstate New York. I couldnt be happier with the mileage.

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  Loved the car at first, but beware! - 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By grako - January 13 - 2:50 pm

  I have 6000 miles on the car, which has developed many rattles and annoying clicks. I have been back to the dealer three times, and if one click or rattle is fixed, others appear. Very disappointing for Toyota. I have owned Toyotas my last six cars and was excited by the hybrid. The engine is smooth, but the car is a crate as far as body construction. Nearly everyone has a rattle in the console, the drink holder make noise if you have a drink in it. The big problem is everything is plastic and all connected by clips that dont really hold things in place. With no cloth or barriers to all the plastic on plastic, these annoying sounds appear everywhere. Wait for the next model

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  Artenas Funtoy - 2005 Toyota Sequoia
  By Artena M. Tharp - January 13 - 12:40 pm

  I have wanted this particular for years; now that I finally have one, I am more than pleased with all the features and I am completely satisfied with the amount of gas the tank holds, the mileage that I get with this vehicle, and the complete luxury and comfort of this vehicle. I would strongly recommend this vehicle to anyone that can/cannnot afford it. Its worth the money and the experience. This vehicle itself is a look of the future comings. I just really enjoy this vehicle to the fullest; the children enjoy the entertainment as much as I enjoy driving and owning it!

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  BAD AC unit on this year 4runner - 2003 Toyota 4Runner
  By ballinfur - January 13 - 11:19 am

  $3000.00 fix for parts and labor @ Toyota dealer to fix AC/Heat relay and blower related problem. Dont buy any 4runner from the late 90s to 03. Problems with AC unit, Heat, clutch relay, not cheap to fix at all. Problems are recurring too. 2004 and newer are fine. Other than those problems listed, this SUV would of been GREAT.

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  2 years experience - 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
  By Tracy - January 12 - 10:56 pm

  Ive had my Highlander for two years now. I still find it a great car. My mileage varies tremendously, depending on my driving frame of mind and on the temperature. This past summer I consistently got trips of 30-40 MPG around town and tank averages of 29 MPG. But the cold weather is coming and this will knock me down to about 20 MPG avg per tank. If I zip around town and dont glide a lot or try to keep it on electric, the mileage goes down. This car has taught me a lot about how to drive to save gas. Its a comfortable car for both long and short trips, and the flexible seats allow for multiple configurations. I agree with other reviewers that the 3rd row seat is not needed.