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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  Pretty but painful - 2014 Toyota Avalon Hybrid
  By Jeff - April 16 - 9:25 pm

  If you are considering the current generation of Avalon - PLEASE read this and all reviews before purchasing. I drove my last vehicle for nearly 11 years before selecting the Avalon Limited Hybrid and was really planning that this vehicle would last as long - my conclusion after nearly 20,000 miles in the last 8 months is that the car might last but it wont be with me. The good - the car is beautifully styled, gas mileage is awesome for a car this size and the interior look is just really nice to be inside. Unfortunately thats about where the good ends - here are the negatives that I think you should consider before purchasing. First, ride comfort, EVERY person that has driven or ridden in my car has complained about the seats - front and back. They are dreadfully hard - an extra feature in the drivers seat is a nice lump that rests between your butt bones - I hope you are catching the sarcasm because Im laying it on thick. The driver and passenger seats both feel as though there is a baseball tucked under about 3/4" of padding right in that spot.

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  Some parts should be recalled - 2002 Toyota Corolla
  By James - April 16 - 2:00 am

  The door handle was broken in two years. I put two brand new catalytic converters on it the engine light comes back on again. It can not pass the annual inspection even though it still runs good with 125,000 miles on it. Its a pain to go through the inspection every year. It should last a life time.

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  2008 Toyota Tundra SR5 - 2008 Toyota Tundra
  By The Needle - April 15 - 6:06 pm

  My experience so far is that this is an OK truck. All windows are very small and obstruct views, especially the rear windows. Rear seating on my Extended cab is VERY uncomfortable on long trips. Gas mileage is miserable: around 14mpg with half city and hwy. Nice feature on the tundra is the rear video cam, but thats cause youll need it. Also the interior is cheap.

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  Faulty (Broken) Panaromic Roof one week after buy - 2018 Toyota Camry
  By Reddy - April 12 - 4:54 pm

  I was super excited when I bought this car for my wife, but the excitement lasted only for 7 days. The panoramic moon roof stopped working and stayed open on a freezing night of 5F. It was super frustrating as I could hardly get hold of any Toyota dealer or Toyota Motor Corp itself.

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  Toyota Reliability????? - 2005 Toyota Sequoia
  By John - April 11 - 11:00 am

  I was always told that toyota had the best vehicles out there, I dont beleive that anymore. At 28,000 miles I could already feel the transmission going out on this suv. I took it 3 times to 2 different dealers and none of them would admit that it had a problem. I was at at the middle of a huge intersection when I decided I had to make a u-turn, and guess what? the car just died out on me right there in the middle. Dealer found nothing wrong with it. I purchased this car with 25,000 miles on it, and it was a certified vehicle. Is anyone surprised about all the recalls toyota is facing right now? Im not. Thank you for your failure to me toyota. I am going all american from now on.

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  NO NOT CE PLEASE................... - 2001 Toyota Corolla
  By Amol - April 11 - 10:00 am

  I bought the CE in May 2001 have 18500 on odo. The car is fun to drive except with ac on which feels like dragging a ton behind. The worst part is the CE is 3 speed automatic which pulls the fun to drive, but once over 30 it is good. It have a good milage and pretty smooth engine. The steering is a bit scary on highway (above 60) ans can be a problem if u have a huge lorry besides u. The interior is cramped and good for 4 small size adults or 2 tall adults. Another part is CE does not come with Rear folding seat and u have to dig a small hole in u r wallet for that.

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  Love/Hate relationship - 2010 Toyota Venza
  By ricksreview - April 8 - 5:25 am

  Love the vehicle. Hate having the Toyota sevice department know me by first name! All was well in the first year and half of owning our fully loaded 2010 Venza AWD. Recently the car developed a clunk in the rear, this required an extensive rear suspension repair. the noise has returned 3 months later! The transmission started to shudder and slip, Toyota replaced it saying its fairly common on the AWD model. This car only has 27,000 careful miles. I think it has more squeeks and rattles than the 02 Dodge Caravan that this Venza replaced.

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  overrated - 2001 Toyota Tacoma
  By george d - March 30 - 2:00 am

  for the price the truck is a total rip off. i have a dash rattle that will not quit. broken sway bar link which the dealer will not fix. my corner lenses are taking in water every time it rains. the toyota factory bedliner is destroying the paint on my bed. my rear end "clunks" every time the truck is put back into gear because of what toyota and many other loyalists call "axle wrap". the timing belt idler pully is chirping now. all in all im extremely displeased with the truck as a whole besides it offroad ability. never will toyota see another penny from me. early age to lose a customer (18 years old). :(

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  Does The Job - 2011 Toyota Tacoma
  By mitchelld - March 25 - 5:32 am

  Previously owned a Ford F150 with V-8. After 7 years, I made the decision to down size to the Tacoma. The Ford was more comfortable and much easier to get in/out of. Additionally, (and somewhat incredibly) the Tacoma only delivers about 1.5 better MPG. However, the Tacoma is much easier to park in tight spaces and rides on a par with the larger F150. Brakes on the Tacoma are adequate in spite of feeling as though there is air in the brake line (mushy). Also, be aware, the brakes squeak/squeal & you will be told by Tacoma that this is "NORMAL" If you are down sizing, be willing to accept less vehicle in interior/exterior space, ride, and hauling capability with little MPG improvement.

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  Buyer Beware!! Dont be fooled by Toyota legacy - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By Mario - March 21 - 4:39 am

  I own the 07 Camry which has excessive oil consumption issue. See…http://www.toyotaproblems.com/trends/excessive-oil-consumption/. Toyota recongnized the problem but will not repair the issue under warranty. They declined our car even when we brought the car in at 59,508 when we noticed the car was using 1 qt of oil each 1,000 miles. They did repair the issue on some camrys and then stopped the warranty once they realized how many camrys have this issue. It should be a recall on the failed piston rings and Toyota should repair. There is a class action suite against Toyota but little or NOTHING will be done for the individual owners. Shame on Toyota for failing to take care of a manufactures issue.