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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  Great Car - 2005 Toyota Camry
  By Dan Parnell - September 23 - 2:23 pm

  I have owned many cars over the years so I speak from experience. The Toyota is one of the best driving cars I have ever owned. The outside appearence is no show stopper, but the inside is very nice and it drives like a luxury car. I have a Corvette convertible, but like driving my Toyota better.

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  Not Happy - 2007 Toyota Sienna
  By Brian - September 23 - 8:16 am

  Had the van 6 months and had to be in the shop every other month. First the battery died and I had to drag the van out of the garage with 5k miles. Then the tire sensor had to be replaced, check engine light comes on, electric motors jumpy, rear latch broke and the door wouldnt even open. All this with 10k miles. I bought a new vehicle so my wife (works nights) and small children would have a reliable vehicle and I wouldnt have to worry. Now I have to spend a Saturday taking it to the shop. Cant get rid of it because the dealer says I still owe more than it is worth. Cant wait to see what happens next!

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  Caution - 2004 Camry - 2004 Toyota Camry
  By traveler464 - September 23 - 3:30 am

  Please note that if you have a 2004 or 2005 Toyota Camry, you may want to dump it now before it is too late. The vehicle has a part called the throttle body assembly which was of a faulty design and was redesigned. Toyota sent out a technical service bulletin reference number EG023-05. This part, the throttle body assembly with motor, costs $934. On our 2004 Toyota Camry XLE, replaced this on 08-06- 2007. On 09-09-2009, this part quit again and my wife had to walk an extended distance and Toyota refused to repair this faulty part for less than $1100.66. They had every excuse imaginable. Bottom line - Toyota does not stand behind their product - DUMP THEM.

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  2005 4Runner 4x4 - 2005 Toyota 4Runner
  By vishnan - September 23 - 1:13 am

  Great performance on paved road and offroad. Powerful, comfortable and fun. Best vehicle I ever owned.

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  2nd Rav 4... love it... with a few concerns... - 2013 Toyota RAV4
  By rosco804 - September 22 - 7:25 pm

  I had a 2009 Toyota Rav4 which I really liked... I am one of the few that like the rear swing open door... my wife takes our two golden retrievers with her to work and it was very easy to get the old guy (13 years old, blind, deaf but still loving life) into and out of the back with the wide door and low floor... to jump right to it.... I love the 2013 which I bought in the U.S. (yes I am Canadian, and the Rav4 is made 20 minutes from where I live but I saved almost $7,000 in the U.S.) my concern is the exterior black plastics... when they get dirty and you wash them and then the car dries off, the dirt marks still show !!! has anyone else experienced this? please let me know. thx

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  Solid, all-around truck - 2003 Toyota Tundra
  By Fester - September 22 - 6:40 pm

  If you dont need a heavy-duty work truck, this is the pickup truck for you. The V8 is a good compromise between power and gas mileage--if youre lightly-loaded. It has a smooth, quiet ride, high build quality and (so far) excellent reliability.

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  Love my VENZA! - 2009 Toyota Venza
  By NJMOM - September 22 - 5:36 pm

  I got my Venza after lots of research in March 2009. Being a long time Camry owner, I truly love this car. Its built like a bulldog, wide and low, great design and aerodynamics. I havent had any problems with this car so far, and I have over 20,000 miles on it now. We took it on a trip to Cooperstown, NY and it was a great, very comfy.

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  Awesome Truck - 2007 Toyota Tundra
  By Randy - September 22 - 5:26 pm

  I owned a 2001 and this one blows it out of the water. My dad has owned both Chevy and Dodge which I have driven and neither is close. You cant go wrong with a Toyota. I love everything about this truck.

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  My new hybrid - 2014 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
  By Tony Mergist - September 22 - 3:03 pm

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  A tool for the job - 2010 Toyota Prius
  By LouFrez - September 22 - 1:20 pm

  Im an outside sales rep, travel approx 2000 miles per month. I Always have driven BMW or Acura, great cars, However I noticed that a lot of colleagues in my industry have gone to the PRIUS especially since the 2010 model, so i decided to switch to a PRIUS. Here are some reasons, 1- lower my fuel cost from $300 per month to $120 per month, 2 - we do our part in helping the environment, our clients like that part and it shows smarts by us. 3 - by far the best Hybrid buy in the market. 4 - The tools Toyota provides are second to none, like the bluetooth, navigation, stereo, and the cockpit is cool. I got the solar panels as well and they are worth it. Great Car would recommend it!