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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  Matrix XRS - 2004 Toyota Matrix
  By Tanamoor - May 26 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car because it was so much fun to drive and had a lot of acceleration. But at 11,000 miles, the transmission had to be replaced. Ever since then, there is not as much acceleration and you have to fight with the gears (sometimes cannot get it to go into the gear). I am very disappointed. This is not the car I bought. I have been to the service department and they say there is nothing wrong with it. I would not have bought this car as it drives now.

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  Tarnished Quality Reputation - 2001 Toyota Sequoia
  By cahrensntx - May 22 - 8:13 am

  I value quality and reliability above all else, price, feature, comfort etc. Both consumer data and experience convinced me Toyota is the best here. So it is with high expecatations for a long life vehicle I bought my 3rd Toyota, this Sequoia. After 5 yrs of dealer only scheduled maintenance and 100K mi, I am very, very disappointed. In reverse chronological order: transmission failed 100K, brakes replaced 5 times (even with total system replacement at 60K), fuel gauge failed 80K, dashboard ignition key receiver failed 70K, dashboard drive gear LED out 70k, traction control oversensitive and grinds 50k. Did not meet expectations of Toyota quality.

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  nice - 2004 Toyota Sequoia
  By hot one - May 21 - 10:00 am

  real nice suv that stands up well againt others suv in the middle of the pack!real nice

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  NAVer again! - 2018 Toyota Camry
  By DCinNC - May 17 - 4:21 pm

  I was taken in by the cars look, enjoyed the test drive and believed I paid a fair price. I never dreamed a company of Toyotas caliber would fall down flat on the technology side. The Entune 3.0 system was a major disappointment. (I should have required a phone to be setup on the system before purchasing it) I have only had the car a week and regret the purchase. This of course is an opinion; I would however suggest if the technology inside the car is important to you, have a phone paired to the car and see for yourself before you sign on the dotted line.

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  Shame on Toyota - 2003 Toyota RAV4
  By KC Cookie - May 17 - 2:00 pm

  Our Toyota 2003 Rav4 was very nice. My husband did all the oil changes, rotating tires, brakes and any other kind of maintenance on car. It was fine until about a week ago and our transmission started acting up. We took it to a transmssion shop and they said to replace transmission at $5000. We decided to check out reviews on the internet and found out we werent the only ones with this problem. I use to trust toyota, but now I feel betrayed. They knew about it and didnt tell the consumer. Besides their Gas pedal problems now they are recalling not the RAV4s, but 2003 Sequoilas. This is for that cars transmission. Go figure ! Im going to Honda now!

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  Storage space, dashboard lighting logic - 2015 Toyota Tundra
  By Mike - May 16 - 10:50 am

  In the 1794 model, there is absolutely no storage space other than the console. The jack and tire tools are behind the back seat almost impossible to remove or replace. No place to put trailer hitch equipment or anything else. Tools etc,? The dashboard lighting logic is completely bassackwards. Plenty light at night. Easy to read gauges, speedometer etc. Daylight, the video display, "mpg, miles to empty, outside temp, odometer and even the guages are not lit up. They should be lit up brightly during the day and low light at night. If you need to wear sun glasses, You might not be able to read the speedometer. The dashboard lighting logic needs to be upgraded. Dashboard lighting was my fault. Its o.k. I enlarged the front mud flaps because with the existing ones, the tires pile mud up on the running board. Sometimes over an inch thick. Storage room is still a problem. I get better than 16 mpg.

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  Stay Away, Bad Brakes - 2000 Toyota Tundra
  By TundraBummer - May 15 - 4:20 am

  After about 6000 miles the truck started shaking when I stopped. I took it back to the dealer who did a complete brakes job. It drove great for about another 8000 miles then started shaking again. In total, I have had 3 new rotors, 2 new drums, 2 new front calipers, including the last time when they installed the updated brakes, just before the warranty ran out. now it still shakes when I stop. The dealer tells me there is nothing htey can do, since it has all the latest updates for the brakes. Also, the exhaust manifold leaked, and the check engine light has been on 4 seperate time for various emission problems that have totaled over $900.

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  I love this vehicle, except... - 2014 Toyota 4Runner
  By Angela Mac - May 11 - 9:05 pm

  The windshield tint or glass causes eye strain, dizziness & headaches on long trips or when commuting daily. I loved everything about this car so much the first 3 months I owned it until I began commuting an hour to work every day and realized that there is something about the windshield that extremely bothers my eyes. My local dealership had a technician drive it and they agreed that it seemed to have a warp to it that made his head hurt while driving it. They replaced it with another factory glass windshield, but it continues to bother me and they say that there is nothing left they can do. I never would have noticed it had I not been driving it so long everyday. Around town or short trips seem completely fine. Other than that its an amazing SUV that I really love driving! Much roomier than the older 4runners inside. Cant wait until I can get this issue fixed or Toyota recalls the windshield!

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  Dont be fooled - 2005 Toyota Tacoma
  By Dan - May 10 - 3:43 pm

  My father always said, never buy the first year of a new model or redesigned model and I didnt listen to him. This truck has had so many problems I cant even count them. It has been in the shop repeatedly since day one. To this day, I still cant get anyone to admit that the exhaust sounds like it has a leak. I thought I was buying quality, but I was fooled. Dont be. Buy a 2007 or later. By all they have learned about mine, those next years should be great!

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  No more Toyota Camry! - 2004 Toyota Camry
  By 2ben91 - May 9 - 4:53 am

  I was gifted this car two years ago after a family member purchased a new car. Having a 2000 Nissan Maxima, I decided this would an upgrade. Boy was I wrong. This car gets the same MPG as my Maxima, about 20-22 in town and 26 on the highway. For a vehicle with only 70,000 miles when I got it, and a Toyota, it sure has a lot of problems. It eats tires and brakes, it leaves me stranded, and its most recent repair needed, a new Throttle Body, costs upwards of 1,400 dollars at only 95 k! I am going back to my Maxima after two years in the Toyota, and couldnt be happier. Newer and more expensive isnt always better!