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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  Ava-lux! - 2014 Toyota Avalon
  By Chris - October 7 - 4:34 pm

  If you like a touch of class, style, performance and panache from an automobile, this is the one for you. Several weeks ago I purchased a used 2014 Toyota Avalon. Having recently moved south from the Midwest, I wanted to shed my 4-wheel drive for something smaller. Initially I went looking for a gently used Lexus ES350. My reasons were simple: I’m getting closer to 40 and my automobile needs are starting to bend more toward function and less form. This meant arguing my ego down from the thought that I needed to ‘sit high’ or that I need 3 rows for the few times a year we use the 3rd row. So on to the car; I initially drove 3 or 4 ES’s and on one return test drive I ended up parking next to an Avalon. “What’s this?” I asked the salesman. He responded ‘the Avalon’ and proceeded to tell me of how the car rides a variation of the same platform as the ES. Really? Also that the engine and powertrain were virtually Identical. Really?? So I gave this car –which I had never even glanced at, much less considered before- a good once over. Lowered front end profile w/quadra-beam headlights, Aston-Marton inspired lower intakes flanked by chrome enveloped fog lamps. A clean and handsome profile with a slightly ‘windswept’ greenhouse profile and a beautiful tail end w/LED lights and dual, trapezoidal exhaust…. “Hmm, will you get the keys for this”??? I asked. Got inside. ‘Whoa, seriously, nice! A 6 inch touch screen w/digital readouts for the HVAC just below. Mine has the lighter interior w/contrasting taupe, chocolate brown and black color scheme. It’s a very rich look accented by liberal swaths or chrome. On to the drive; the ride was the final deal cincher. The engine is buttery-smooth with plenty of power for passing. In fact, I had to learn how to properly finesse the engine when I am passing because stepping down too hard gives way more power than you probably were looking for. I want to address the ride quality itself though. Many have written that the car clunks or crashes over bumps. Honestly, I hadn’t noticed it at all. I think the ride is quite appropriate and I have to believe those that don’t care for it are exactly the buyers Toyota is getting away from. The geriatric set. The only place I have to give the car less than stellar marks is the sound system. The base unit’s graphics seem a generation behind the two vehicles I have most recently owned. Also, the basic sound system is very thin and has very little bass. They are merely adequate and I have been accustomed to far better utility. (the unit doesn’t even show album artwork for ipod songs) All told, this car is a serious sleeper that most likely are unaware of how good it is. After spending days if not weeks looking for the perfect gently used Lexus ES, I finally found it. Just so happened that it wears a Toyota badge and prefers to be called Avalon.

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  The Best Could Be Better w/o Much Cost - 2007 Toyota Sienna
  By BWC - October 7 - 12:33 am

  The third minivan weve owned: a 1990 Dodge Caravan, a 2001 Honda Odyssey, now a 2007 Sienna. Each was best on market at the time. This year it was between Odyssey and Sienna. The Sienna had more comfortable seating and the XLE package #5 had all features we wanted without requiring navigation.

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  cool Matrix - 2006 Toyota Matrix
  By vjns - October 6 - 7:16 pm

  Excellent design and quality. Although the ride is higher compared to my civics, it still feels very sporty and responsive. Since it is designed as a ULEV crossover, it is really versatile, affortable and comfortable. Auto transmission is really smooth and gas mileage is great. Very happy with the car since I got it new and fully loaded in Mar 2006. Great price and great looks, all my friends love it at my work place. Only other car that generate so much attention at work is a 2006 Mustang GT but he is suffering with his gas bills and insurance.

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  8 celica owner - 2002 Toyota Celica
  By celica52 - October 6 - 5:20 pm

  My 2002 Toyota Celica gts hatchback has been extremely reliable and I have bought celicas since 1977. I am sad to say I will not be buying any more toyotas because they delayed so long in telling people about the accelerator problems. As a matter of principal, this is my last toyota.

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  Great Car; Worst Seats Ever - 2009 Toyota Camry
  By ALC - October 4 - 10:10 pm

  This is a wonderful automobile, especially for the price. We find the ride relatively smooth and quiet; wonderful on trips (36 MPG w/AC). Unfortunately, after 60 minutes, one finds that Toyota has designed the WORST front car seats ever placed in an automobile; your back and bottom will suffer! We are so upset, I am shopping after 18K miles. In prior vehicles, I have driven for days for over 12 hours per; not in this car. Two of my relatives, who have never had back pain, now have problems when they drive their Camry (same yr). In todayÂ’s market, this is inexcusable. I would gladly provide Toyota with a design solution, if they cared.

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  1999 Rav AWD - 1999 Toyota RAV4
  By John Capp - October 3 - 2:00 am

  Excellant car for the young and small family. Only problem was that it lacked some needed power. In 3-1/2 years I only had to change the oil. Never a mechanical failure of any kind. Additionally, the resale value actually decreased the year to year expenditures relative to like vehicles.

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  Mostly excellent - 2003 Toyota Tundra
  By nonesuch - October 3 - 2:00 am

  I use my truck for towing a racecar and part time commuting. If you have heavy towing (I tow about two tons) dont bother with a six cylinder. Even if you think you might someday want to use your truck for "real work", get a V8! It cruises quite comfortably and quietly at extralegal speeds while not towing and the "pickup" is good. It even has very little trouble towing up steep California hills. Its too major faults is that the two rear seats arent really useful, and the range isnt great (I get ~12mpg towing with a tank capacity of somewhat less than 30 gallons).

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  Nice car with some minor quirks - 2003 Toyota Corolla
  By syau - October 3 - 2:00 am

  The Corolla is very roomy with a hugh trunk. The interior is the best part of the car, it looks expensive. However, I can not get a comfortable driving position. I am 6 feet tall, if I push the seat back far enough for my legs, the steering wheel is too far away. The suspension could use a little more refinement. The car seems to get affected by cross wind quite a bit. Sometime the car kind of float on the highway. The best gas mileage we seen was 32 at a highway only trip. Our average in mixed driving is around 29. This is not bad, but I expect a little better considering the advertised 30city/38highway.

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  On the fence - 2010 Toyota Tacoma
  By Rod - October 2 - 3:13 pm

  Purchased this truck after owning a 2001 Tacoma. Unlike the 2001, I feel the quality of the product has diminished some. I love the truck overall but I am on the fence regarding the overall performance and reliability of the truck. I hate the fact that the automatic model searches for a gear at low speeds. In addition, the engine sounds like it has a "ping" in it. I understand this may be te fuel injectors. After test driving a competetors model, the truck feels more like a "toy." Nonetheless, the truck is fun to drive and the V6 has nice torque to it. Short bed is really not that much different from the standard, and the doublecab leaves plenty of room for passengers

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  Great purchase - 2005 Toyota 4Runner
  By cd1791 - September 30 - 3:10 am

  I owned an 01 Pathfinder and was very happy with the car, but it was time to trade up. After reading as many reviews and going to as many sites as possible the only logical choice was a 4Runner. Well, after nearly two months of ownership I must say that I could not be happier. The 4Runner definitely has a better overall feel than my 01 Pathfinder and the 05 Pathfinder I looked at. The fit/finish is excellent. The material quality is high. It drives very well for a SUV (quite interior). Bumps on the road are absorbed like a sponge. I purchased the V8 and it is very quick. If you are looking into purchasing an SUV in this category the 4Runner requires serious consideration.