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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  2002 Toyota Echo - 2002 Toyota Echo
  By S. Mahadevan (Rajan) - October 31 - 6:34 pm

  Dear Echo lovers, I bought mine in 2007. It had 50K miles on it. Now it has 226K miles and I spend less around $250 a year in maintenance (oil change and other basic stuff). I do not do my own maintenance but I love my Toyota dealership who take great care of my car. Have been doing so during the 16 years I've had the car. I love my car and won't sell it ever.

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  Want a car that goes 400k? - 2001 Toyota Echo
  By 2001 Echo - October 1 - 3:16 pm

  It’s 2023, and I’m still driving my 2001 Echo. I’ve seen these go for 480,000 miles. If you don’t get 200,000+ then you are doing something wrong. So easy to resell, so reliable. Simple, does the job, easy to fix. If you stay on top of oil changes and inspections, you’ll never have a problem ever. Be good to your Echo, and it will be good to you. If you can’t find an Echo, the Yaris was what it evolved into —same deal.

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  Wonderful car - 2018 Toyota Avalon
  By Rus Stilwell - July 13 - 2:08 pm

  Excellent car! Drive and ride are wonderful. Crises so smoothly you need to watch your speed. Good fuel economy. Highly recommended.

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  Unbelievable - 2001 Toyota Echo
  By Alex linares - July 13 - 12:09 am

  I own a repair shop in martinez CA, I did basic oil changes, brakes,ect on my customers 01 echo for years, he called me one morning and said it won't start, the car had just went over 400,000 miles and he asked me if I wanted to buy it, I said ok just have it towed down, I bought it without checking it, a couple weeks later I diagnosed it, fuel pump failed, installed new pump and have been driving it the last 8 years, does not leak a drop of anything, drives like a sports car, well over 500,000 miles, I have beat this car for years and it just runs and runs,,unbelievable???

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  Best car I ever owned - 2002 Toyota Camry
  By Larry - May 30 - 11:56 pm

  Bought this car new 2002. I still drive it every day . The car looks great for the year and miles that I’ve put on it. Has no rust just a few parking lot dings. Everything still works great uses a little oil. The actual miles on the car is 460,000 miles and it is on the road every day. By far the best car I’ve ever had!!!

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  Toyota solara 4 cylinder SE - 2004 Toyota Camry Solara
  By James giannisis - March 12 - 12:49 pm

  Love the car when I first saw it pearl white 4 cylinder SE very classic lines looks looks more expensive than it is my only problem was that I've been the original owner for 17 years but the dashboard literally cracked after 10:00 by then it was too late for to get warranty work still on the car .

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  Toyota prius nearing 500k miles - 2006 Toyota Prius
  By JOSEPH S. - December 30 - 5:27 pm

  I've owned a lot of cars. This prius is by far the most dependable, least amount of maintenance, and best mpg vehicle I've ever owned. I started using an oil additive after 200k miles and I'm currently at 492k miles. Still runs like the day I got it. My only issue is I'm getting tired of looking at it, but I refuse to buy a new prius till this engine quits.

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  2005 Echo Hatchback - 2005 Toyota Echo
  By Ian - December 21 - 9:57 pm

  Bought this car in 2015 with 170,000 KMS , have owned this Gem for 6 years going on 7, I have 275,000 KMs on it and all I have done is Oil , Filter , Brake Pads and Air Cleaner and Serpentine Belt and Tires, We live in Vancouver Canada and have driven 3 times to California in it and had no issues, the car with its front wheel drive has no issues in the snow, the 5 speed manual makes it fun to drive, and parking in small spots is no issue, we have the 2 DR hatch so smaller wheel base, the car as many say here get super gas mileage, There are fewer and fewer for sale, the clutch in this car has never been replaced, its a warrior

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  Brake/accelerator warning - 2001 Toyota Echo
  By Kate S. - November 6 - 1:29 pm

  A friend gave me this Echo and it's an impressive little car. However, it took some close calls for me to realize it's possible to brake and accelerate simultaneously. The pedals are too close together and my feet aren't so big that this should be a problem! Can't believe I'm the only one that's had this experience......

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  35 years of Toyota - 2018 Toyota Tacoma
  By Charles Cribb - September 15 - 6:54 am

  I’ve had Toyota’s for 35+ years of Toyota from Corolla T-100 Camry Tundras 4 Runners and Tacoma never had a problem with any of them I just do a oil lub and filter and rotate the tires and keep on going