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:

• 

  6500 mile 7 month old corolla made me stranded on the HWY - 2012 Toyota Corolla
  By texaslover - December 28 - 10:02 pm

  I cant believe this. I have been royal toyota customer, I always trusted toyotas reliability until now. I have 1999 toyota sienna and I had 94 corolla and those cars have been wonderful even though they are old and high mileage on them. So I purchased another corolla. Yesterday, I went to another city (about 80 miles away from my home town) and this 7 month old 6500 miles corolla just quit on the express way. Check engine and trac off light on and no response from gas pedal. I was almost killed by other car. I had to tow 80 miles. And this morning toyota care towing car came and made big mess on my interior with lots of dirty oil mark all over the door. Big disappointment!

• 

  Only A Toyota..... - 2005 Toyota Tacoma
  By lighteninglarry - December 28 - 7:33 pm

  Very pleased with this truck,almost bought the Dodge/w hemi but so glad I did not!! Plenty of room for three kids,had an 04 double cab TRD but to stiff & to small. At first my wife liked the 04, but drove the 05 and loves it! No doubt best truck on the market today!!

• 

  Not the Corolla it use to be - 2009 Toyota Corolla
  By Sad College Student - December 28 - 12:53 pm

  I had noise in front suspension,dealer replaced both front struts and housing, Hubcap fell off for no reason, tire pressure sensor replaced, brakes recalled, glove box popped off for no reason, breaks still squeak, weird steering that when traveling over 55 MPH car will not stay put in a straight line

• 

  Like A Dream - 1996 Toyota Tacoma
  By BroncoTBone - December 28 - 10:00 am

  I purchased my 1996 Tacoma a few months ago, and have had nothing but beautiful experiences with it. It drives very well, has a buttery smooth (if a little stiff) manual tranny. The ride is a little harsh, but its a truck, not a Lexus. It tackles gnarly dirt trails, and twisty mountain pavement with equal tenacity. The V6 is tremendously flexible, and has a wide, useful powerband. The only complaint I have is the lack of power options (windows, mirrors) but I didnt buy the truck new, so I cant whine too much. Id recommend a Tacoma to anyone who needs a capable light truck.

• 

  98 4 Runner Review - 1998 Toyota 4Runner
  By brian9123 - December 28 - 10:00 am

  Just change the oil and keep going. This vehicle is the standard of reliability.

• 

  2003 Toyota Sienna - 2003 Toyota Sienna
  By Dianne Scott - December 28 - 10:00 am

  This is the second Sienna I have owned, the first being a 2000 model. I absolutely love it! It is comfortable, easily holds 7 people and rear cargo, is pretty economical on gas, and WOW does it go! I love the way it drives like a car. The only think I really dont like is there is a serious blind spot on the right rear side, but I have learned to compensate for it. Also wish the paint was more durable. I travel in my business and absolutely cannot afford to have my car in the shop. I have owned a Dodge Caravan (loved it but went thru 2 transmissions after relatively few miles) and Ford Windstar, again transmissions and it was a lumbering gashog! Not a mi

• 

  Sequoia Review - 2002 Toyota Sequoia
  By Chad Gosda - December 28 - 10:00 am

  Very quiet ride and engine; extremely reliable; very spacious, with great usability and versatility on use of the cabin/cargo space; easy to operate; respectable gas mileage, better than peers; for such a powerful V-8, nice look. Do know that this is a large, full-size vehicle, tougher to manuever and drive for those inexperienced.

• 

  Reliable corolla - 2003 Toyota Corolla
  By bcalvin - December 28 - 10:00 am

  I bought the 2003 corolla S when it first came out. I have had 0 trouble with the car and love it. Gets great gas milage and you can even get a supercharger for the 03-04 model. I have drove it from california to new mexico back and forth 2 times and ran into 0 issues. The only minor problem i had was orange peal on the side of the body and the alloy wheels would started to rust.

• 

  Love the Sienna - 2004 Toyota Sienna
  By arwenone - December 28 - 10:00 am

  With two children and a baby on the way, it was time to move into a minivan. My oldest child gets carsick, so that immediately limited the field to the MPV and the Sienna for the side roll-down windows. The Sienna won out for its large size, extra features, extra seating room, ride, and value. I have no idea how I made it so long without a minivan, and I highly recommend this vehicle to anyone and everyone.

• 

  Wow, where to start... - 1999 Toyota Sienna
  By stayhomemom94 - December 28 - 12:23 am

  Got new, little over 110k now. On 5th set of tires. Cant keep pressure consistent. Front left tire 1st to be replaced. Radio knobs broke in half. Driver window off track. Need new starter now and front right making awful noise (maybe cv joint needs replacement?). Automatic door sticks and now hardly working. Dash lights barely visible. Had wreck and when dealership repaired, broke piece that held passenger window mechanism into door. Never fixed. Corners of luggage rack have come unglued. Dealer never told us of major saving coupons in middle of manual or we had liquid weatherproof for paint. Tire pressure light on most of time as it wont stay aligned and balanced.