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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  Tacoma double cab prerunner - 2005 Toyota Tacoma
  By Nelson Hernandez - April 13 - 6:20 pm

  So far, an excellent truck. Ride is great in the highway. Fuel economy is excellent with myself filling the tank every week and a half and I use the truck to go to work everyday with an avarage of 40 to 50 miles per day.

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  Incredible Value - Great Car! - 2008 Toyota Yaris
  By casqueiro - April 13 - 8:40 am

  I cannot believe the quality for the price. The car is almost perfect, its extremely roomy and comfy inside, runs quiet and smooth and is super fun to drive with hands down the best turning radius of all time. I have gotten between 37-40 MPG on each tank with a 50/50 combo of city/freeway driving, except on one tank I got 35 with 5 people in the car the whole way. I havent had it long enough to really judge reliability, but having just gotten rid of a lemon, I know what bad quality feels like, and this is a different world. Love this car!

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  The most Bang for your Buck - 2006 Toyota Camry Solara
  By Jean - April 13 - 8:20 am

  Feel secure, comfy, and in control. Love the roomy interior, along with the easy use of all controls. Looks stylish inside and out. Easy to get in and out of. Drove all the vehicles in this class, this was superior. I love the gas mileage - the 4 cyl has enough getty-up to perform on highway entry and passing. Handles well on highway and bumpy roads.

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  2ndTimeAround - 1997 Toyota Camry
  By LanePie - April 13 - 2:03 am

  I am the 2nd owner of this great Camry. I bought it with 114,200 miles and drove it to 159,000 miles with no problems at all. The first owner kept all maintenance up and I followed. Unfortunately my husband with involved in a hit and run. The car was totaled and both airbags deployed. The car really looked like a pancake, but my husband walked away. It saved his life. I never had one problem with it except for the brake light going out. I drove 44,800 with not even one problem. Last but not least I loved my Camry. I will most definitely buy another one over and over. We still own a 2007 Camry. We had a 10 year difference in Camrys and I still preferred my 1997. The V6 power was great.

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  Fun Fun Fun till the Reaper takes it away - 2005 Toyota Camry Solara
  By Beachboop - April 12 - 6:56 pm

  Just bought it, love it love it. Drove 300 miles on the first day, 200 the second. Comfortable & stylish lines. This is a plush ride. If you are wanting a hot rod, go to the strip. If you want comfort style and class this be da ride.

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  first toyota - 2010 Toyota Sienna
  By marian107 - April 12 - 6:49 pm

  Bought our first Toyota sienna 2010.. Have own 5 other vans villager (awesome) venture (awesome) voyager (ok) uplander (worst ever).. So far our sienna is neck and neck with the other 2 vans.. Comfort is wonderful, with fibromyalgia and RA, long rides no longer hurt.. Seats are so comfy.. After owning the sienna for 3 weeks the tranny started acting up.. Took it to our tranni man , he put it on the comp. no issues.. He said, for some reason the trannies do act up. Some how it straightens its self out and they have no idea why or how.. Every tranny tht has come into his shop has done this.. Well it has fixed its self and havent had a problem since... :)

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  Too good to be true - 2000 Toyota Echo
  By John Green - April 12 - 2:33 pm

  I bought my "new" echo with 195k miles this year, it drives perfect. Its the second echo I own. I still regret that I sold my first one to my friend. I made 10k in about 5 months and have nothing to complain about. Im a mechanic and I would recommend it to everybody. I drive mostly in city and get 36 mpg. Highway around 44 mpg. Its the most reliable car you can get for your money. I bet it can last more than 300k miles (I will try it). I still have original clutch with over 200k, no leaks at all. First it was ugly but now its a pretty nice car, it takes time to get used to it. :)

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  What a Vehicle - 2010 Toyota Venza
  By Danl12 - April 11 - 8:00 pm

  I have spent the last 8 months going through Edmunds.com, Motor Trend, Car and Driver, and the Consumers Reports magazines reading about this vehicle and it is every bit as much as these companies said it was. The ride, the handling, the Toyota name, I have a 2008 Highlander, and traded in a 2005 Highlander and the Venza is a much better vehicle than those two. I compared the Venza to the Ford Edge, the Nissan Murano, and the Lexus RX350 and the Venza came out on top in every category. The Surround Sound system sounds great no matter what you play.

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  2006 Toyota Tundra - 2006 Toyota Tundra
  By I KNOW TRUCKS - April 11 - 12:43 pm

  Well I did it, I bought this truck and am 100% satisfied. I wont be buying anymore of the big 3, I have owned all the trucks and none compare to the Tundra. I almost bought the Honda Ridgeline (had it prepped and ready for pick up) but after driving the Tundra I changed my mind. If you want a truck for truckly things the Tundra is the best deal. I was expecting a lite, lazy, over revving imitation of a truck. Not so! This is a truck in the truest sense of what trucks are supposed to be.

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  Great! - 2000 Toyota Camry
  By Saujoe3k - April 11 - 7:53 am

  Awesome car, smooth and quiet ride! Comfortable for long trips, and everyday commute!