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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  Uncomfortable!! - 2011 Toyota Camry
  By brownt90 - November 12 - 1:57 am

  Traded my 02 camry xle 4 cylinder for this car in April. Wished I would have stayed with my old car or chose a different model. The car has a good powerful v6 and a decent nav system, but those two things dont make up for the other downfalls of this vehicle. Window switch button fell inside the door, and the car suffered from a roof popping noise that the dealer fixed by stuffing felt around the sunroof. What happened to toyota quaility? To top it off, I have not found a comfortable driving position in this car. I am 63, and the seat bottom does not lower low enough to the floor like my other camry did. Because of this I am suffering leg/heel/foot pain on a daily basis.

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  3rd Toyota purchase - 2011 Toyota Highlander
  By rma581 - November 11 - 10:18 pm

  I purchased this SUV 5 days ago. after driving 390 miles I calculated 27.8 MPG after my 1st tank fill, 70% hy 30% city driving. The 4cyl is a little noisy in the lower gears as oppose to the v6 however it performs well. I purchased the base model with the tech package option. (a must to have if you own a IPOD) I have 3 kids & decided to choose this model when Toyota changed the 3rd row on the 2011 Highlander from a single row to a split. This allows my son to sit in the back with the other seat down for more storage.

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  So smooth - 2016 Toyota Highlander
  By reuben powell - November 11 - 12:43 pm

  This car is way better then my last great ride smooth engine best decision I made in a car

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  Rattle trap - 2012 Toyota Camry
  By David Fass - November 11 - 12:53 am

  I am disappointed in Toyota. Besides the several recalls for this and for that, there are persistent rattles in the cabin. I thought that at the very minimum a Toyota would have a silent cabin. My 2002 Hyundai also had annoying rattles, but that was what I expected when I bought a used Hyundai. When I bought a brand new Toyota, I expected silence. No sir. Dashboard rattles and seat belt rattles, thats what I have. Also, the brakes squeal intermittently on the highway, and dealer says theyre fine. Great, thanks. Not to mention, this car did poorly on the IIHS small overlap test. I dont think Toyota deserves their reputation for quality anymore. I would have probably done better with a Hyundai or Kia.

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  Only the Best Car EVER!!!!! - 2005 Toyota Prius
  By Tamara - November 10 - 9:16 pm

  This was my very first brand new car and I couldnt be happier. With all teh features of this car I almost feel like Im in my own little space ship. I cant get enough of teh navigation system or the voice commands. I have such a great time talking to the car.

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  Disappointed - 2008 Toyota Avalon
  By cadllac man - November 10 - 3:46 pm

  After 1500 miles our 2006 Toyota Avalon needed a new engine because of a condition know as valve lash. Fitzgerald replaced the car with another new Avalon at no cost to us. We purchased a new 2008 Avalon. After 13,000 miles this engine when first started and driven has begun to make knocking noises. The noise gets lower when the engine warms up. There is nothing that be done. Just hope for the best and change the oil sooner than factory specks.

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  Quality-built, Fun Car - 1999 Toyota RAV4
  By Mellie Mel - November 10 - 10:00 am

  A sure-footed, compact pseudo-SUV thats fun to drive. Consistently gets 26mpg and drives great in all weather. Feels nice sitting high but it cant corner without feeling tippy. Acceleration is poor (compared to my 98 corolla). Hate that the tailgate doesnt open down or up or have a window that opens. Theres no way to carry long items such as a ladder or PVC pipe. Cargo footprint really is no bigger than a Camry so "SUV" seems kind of a misnomer. Due to small cargo space, non-opening rear window & lack of power we are looking to replace our RAV4 with a Suburu Baja.

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  Solid as a Japanese Rock - 2001 Toyota 4Runner
  By 09oo1 - November 10 - 10:00 am

  Ive driven this SUV over 75000 miles. Other than regular maintainence, I have only had to replace a burned out fog light and two burned out tail lights. I am still on the original Goodyear tires which are as smooth as the day I bought the car. Im not crazy about the new design, but how could I buy anything else that doesnt have this kind of reliability and resale value.

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  Good & bad - 2004 Toyota RAV4
  By paperpushette - November 10 - 10:00 am

  I enjoy driving my RAV for the most part. However, I cant rely on the gas gauge, it goes up and down. I have to use the trip meter. Also, it doesnt get the gas milage we were told to look for, which was one of the main reasons we purchased it over other small SUVs. Also, it sometimes revs up to 4 rpms g when going uphill (not a big hill). Ive never had a car that did that. If I had it to do over, I would probably not buy this car.

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  Toyota Camry: Luxurious. Boring. - 1999 Toyota Camry
  By Chill Will - November 10 - 10:00 am

  The good: stiff chassis, roomy interior, high-quality materials, 60/40 split foldong rear seat, and well- finished trunk. The bad: boring design, wallowy handling, numb steering.