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:

• 

  I am looking forward to years of enjoying driving - 2016 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
  By mike chinnock - November 22 - 10:23 am

  You can read all the expert reviews, and I pretty much find no fault with most of what is said. To get the most out of the hybrid I think requires learning a different way of driving. I drive down the interstate at 55 mph and I am getting 40 mpg on the straight and level, 30 mpg on the gradual road elevation increase and 325+ mpg as the road elevation decreases. On acceleration I see 6 mpg, on deceleration I see 9999 mpg. The Highlander has normal, ECO and EV modes, with specific conditions under which they function best. I am still learning to use these modes to get the best mpg I can. I pretty much think I can expect 27 mpg combined with 1/3rd highway & 2/3rds city driving if I drive this hybrid the way it is ment to be driven ... no rapid starts (Use EV mode), long gradual slow downs to stop (gotta drive well ahead of the traffic) in ECO mode, and cruise the interstate 55-65 mph.Your mileage may vary, and will based upon your driving habits. This is no Magic cure for poor gas mileage. However I must say I am am really pleased that this big, good looking and comfortable beast can achieve such respectable gas mileage. It does take effort though. Update: I have been driving this Highlander Hybrid 6 weeks now. I still find it a very comfortable and pleasant vehicle to drive. I bought the right vehicle for me. I have learned that unlike most hybrids, and my previous hybrid (2009 Ford Escape) I do not get better gasoline mileage in city driving where I am constantly slowing to a stop, then accelerating to operating speed, then repeating often. During these cycles I am seein 6 ... 9 .. 14 ...19 ... mpg fuel economy. It is with the steady 60 mph highway speed that yield the 30+ mpg fuel economy returns. I have noted that the more highway verse city miles I drive the better my combined fuel economy. I have also concluded I need to be very gentle with the accelerator pedal. If you like to start quick, zoom to the next red light, come to a quick stop and await the green light just to zoom to the next light, I do not think this is the vehicle for you

• 

  my go-kart: - 1994 Toyota Corolla
  By PsychUOut13 - November 22 - 10:00 am

  i love my car. i got it junior year of high school. its been great to me. i always did all the oil changes and tire rotations, i never had a problem. the alternator and start went around 160K, but thats to be expected. i traded up for an audi and im already worried that i shouldnt have. rollas are great for younger people and those looking for great mileage in the city.

• 

  Nice Truck - 1998 Toyota Tacoma
  By steve44 - November 22 - 10:00 am

  Great truck! Knocks the shine off anything Ford or Chevy ever turned out.

• 

  Hopelessly helpless in a Toyota Solara - 2003 Toyota Camry Solara
  By Barbb - November 22 - 10:00 am

  I had this car since 6/2003 and started bring for repair service 7/2003. It has been serviced at Gateway Toyota, of Toms River, NJ 13 times in the last year. Anything that could go wrong, did, from tires already needing to be replaced, to most recent the catalytic converter falling off. My car currently has 22,000+ in mileage and I have a lawyer to claim lemon law. After all this Toyota wanted me to go thru mediation with a company they chose. Both Gateway Dealership and Toyota have been absolute helpless and actually made me feel like I was losing my mind. DO NOT BUY THIS CAR!!!!!!

• 

  Great Looking - 2003 Toyota Matrix
  By Jeff03 - November 22 - 10:00 am

  Bought the car brand new fully loaded except for the DVD navigation (I dont usually get lost) and the car has been excelent towards me. I mostly have been driving it on the highway averaging about 400 miles/wk and with no problems. I was getting about 36- 37 mpg when highway driving. Now that I do mostly city driving I am averaging about 32mpg. Great car for the money. I would not really buy a new one again because of deperasion.

• 

  MOST TUNDRA - 2003 Toyota Tundra
  By sydney bresto - November 22 - 10:00 am

  This I really love my v8 Tundra, well except for gas, but thats the goverments fault. darn :( I look soo cute and its so fun to drive

• 

  What an improvement! - 2004 Toyota 4Runner
  By riverguy - November 22 - 10:00 am

  Traded in a 2002 Yukon Denali. Everything about this 4Runner is an improvement. Especially handling, comfort and driveability. It will do everything the Denali would do better and will also go off road with authority. Gave up power driver seat only for $15,000 less. Very impressed so far.

• 

  I never thought Id say this... - 2004 Toyota Sienna
  By Rich Baker - November 22 - 10:00 am

  They arent kidding when talking about a Lexus-like interior. It is so smooth, build quality is superb, and it can carry large loads while keeping the second row intact with our 2 year old there. I actually like driving the thing. Complaints: I am tall. The seat bottoms are short and I find the end of the seat meets the middle of my thigh and my feet go numb if I dont move around. Also, to remove the second row, the seats are large even when folded, and weigh an ungainly 49 pounds, and it can be a challenege to lift them out without killing your back since it is an odd angle to lift them out. Otherwise, an excellent choice.

• 

  Dreary, dreary dreary - 2009 Toyota RAV4
  By Honest Abe - November 22 - 4:30 am

  Owned for 6 mo; traded in and GLAD! Stripped appearance inside and out. No rubber cladding to protect lower part of car. Almost all other SUVs have this. Lousy sound system, mpg worse than stated; quirky transmission: car rolled backwards when in drive but going slow. Had to step on both break and gas to keep from going downhill. Service department in constant hissy fit and very unhelpful. Given recalls and safety issues, do not buy this car at any price.

• 

  2nd time owner - 2016 Toyota Camry
  By krystle - November 21 - 12:40 pm

  I had a 2012 Camry sport I loved it loved how it grounded to the road the 2016 is sleek love the new design its a tad bit smaller than my 2012 BUT I love it my 2012 was having some shuddering problems with the transmission but totally love my 2016