Got to Take The Good With the Bad
Love them or hate them—Toyotas are here to stay. Depending on who you ask, a Toyota is a safe, reliable car or a dull, shabby mess. And depending on your standards, these can all be true. But as a budget-friendly automaker, there are a lot of things to love and hate about Toyota cars, so here are 10 reasons why people love them and 10 disappointments they share.
1. Reliability
Toyota devotees often cite the brand’s penchant for producing long-lasting, reliable cars as the main driver behind their purchase. With minimal maintenance and an overall longer lifespan compared to its competitors, Toyota cars simply afford people greater bang for their buck.
2. Fuel Efficiency
Toyota’s extensive fleet of cars is renowned for offering customers impressive fuel efficiency that makes things a whole lot easier on the wallet. This is especially true for models like the Toyota Prius, which helped revolutionize the hybrid market and bring fuel-efficient hybrid electric cars to the forefront.
3. Resale Value
Very much in line with the brand’s reputation for producing reliable, long-lasting cars, Toyotas often experience higher than normal resale values. Toyotas are seen as a great investment thanks to their renowned durability, meaning that you'll usually be able to make back a solid chunk of change on the resale market.
4. Innovative Technology
Although not necessarily known for best-in-class technology, Toyotas are generally adept at keeping up with current industry trends, as well as including some technological innovations of their own. Everything from the Toyota Safety Sense suite to their infotainment systems are a contributing factor in why people keep coming back.
5. Quality Construction
Toyota offers drivers a safe and durable quality that not only ensures adequate performance but also a greater sense of longevity. Drivers know to expect a reliable build standard from Toyota in all of their models, ultimately contributing to their long-term satisfaction.
6. Wide Range of Models
As one of the largest and most recognizable car brands in the world, it’s no surprise that Toyota offers customers a wide-ranging line-up of vehicles. Everything from compact cars to SUVs, hybrids, and trucks can be found brandishing the name, providing drivers with loads of options.
7. Strong Safety Record
Toyota’s robust safety features are a major contributing factor to its reputation. With esteemed organizations like the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) regularly giving Toyota high marks for its performance in several safety tests, it’s only reasonable that so many people flock to the brand when looking for a safe reliable car for themselves and their families.
8. Excellent Customer Service
Toyota’s customers regularly cite its customer service as a major reason why they keep coming back. Their dealerships are known for offering customers high-quality customer service in the form of positive interactions and dedicated support.
9. Environmental Commitment
Toyota is often beloved for doing everything it can to promote an eco-friendly approach. Whether it's investing heavily in hybrid fuel cell technologies or producing cars with greater fuel efficiency, it's clear that they're always on the cutting edge of environmental sustainability.
10. Global Presence
As one of the largest and most prominent car companies in the world, Toyota customers can always count on parts and services being readily available. Toyota’s global reach have cemented its reputation as a reliable and stable brand.
Unfortunately, such popular companies also contribute to their fair share of problems. For all the good it offers, let's dive into a few major problems drivers have with Toyota.
1. Cost of Repairs
Although lauded for producing reliable vehicles with low maintenance costs, nothing is ever perfect. When they do, many customers report frustration as they feel the car hasn’t lived up to its stellar reputation of being budget-friendly, especially when certain models require costlier parts.
2. Outdated Interior Design
Although Toyotas are known for being abundantly durable, one thing they aren't known for is reinventing the wheel on interior design. In fact, many people are often left dissatisfied with the brand’s no-frills approach to interiors, which are often rife with basic materials and bland designs.
3. Performance Limitations
If there’s one thing Toyota is known for, it’s being practical. However, that also means the brand isn’t exactly shooting for the moon when it comes to high-level performance. These cars are meant to reliably get you from point A to point B, meaning that those looking for a sportier driving experience will be left unsatisfied.
4. Infotainment System Issues
Tech-savvy drivers looking for all the newest bells and whistles will no doubt find themselves disappointed with most Toyota models. Although perfectly functional, their infotainment system is nothing to write home about. It's also slower and less intuitive than some of its more advanced competitors.
5. Road Noise
Many Toyota owners have levied complaints about the level of road noise. Louder cabin noise, especially during longer trips or at high speeds, has been reported in many Toyota models, leading to greater overall discomfort while driving.
6. Limited Rear Seat Space
Another knock against Toyota’s interior, particularly with specific models, is the overall lack of rear seat space. This is most noticeable for taller passengers or people who frequently transport larger numbers of people.
7. Lack of Advanced Features in Base Models
Toyota’s limited financial strain generally comes at a price: fewer features. Base models are often much cheaper by design, but this also means that the car lacks several advanced features that customers may have been hoping for.
8. Inconsistent Fuel Economy
Although generally known for their superior fuel economy, some users may find themselves disappointed with inconsistencies in certain models. In some cases, real-world mileage doesn’t necessarily correlate to what was advertised, leaving many unsatisfied.
9. Limited Off-Road Capability
Despite more rugged offerings like the Land Cruiser and Tacoma, many Toyota models are criticized for their complete lack of off-road capabilities. Although certainly a silly expectation for a base model, budget-friendly vehicle, many users are left disappointed with the lack of versatility.
10. Expensive Optional Features
Toyota is also quite keen on charging you the big bucks when it comes to upgrading certain features and packages. Unless customers are willing to simply settle for the base model, they're very likely to experience a ton of upselling to customize a car to their liking.
