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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  best buy for your buck - 2003 Toyota Corolla
  By eq - September 14 - 10:00 am

  I have very little if any complaints about my corolla. The ride is very smooth, and the design i far more improved over the previous corollas. The only issue that I have is that the engine is not the quietest in the world, and the gas mileage on the auto. version is nowhere near their alleged 38mpg. Other than this the car is wonderful and I hope to enjoy it for many years to come.

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  A little worried - 2002 Toyota Camry
  By rock - September 14 - 10:00 am

  Good looking, lots of extras, fun to drive and really good acceleration. Great stereo system and wonderful navigation system. Had to replace the transmission at 40000. It still jerks between 45-50mph.

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  Yukon to Highlander - 2009 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
  By Tom - September 14 - 3:30 am

  Great room for a big guy. Seats very comfortable. All the bells and whistles, maybe a little too much. Having a hard time with the quiet start and the sound of all the hybrid stuff.

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  Awesome car - 2016 Toyota Corolla
  By zen - September 13 - 3:46 pm

  Excellent spacing. For a 6" driver this is awesome, I had tried Corolla 10 years back and it was small. Very spacious and has excellent capabilities. Moonroof. Gps etc and all for $19300 invoice in Jan 2016 for a 2016 Model.

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  2012 corolla best deal around! - 2012 Toyota Corolla
  By mcblowme - September 13 - 12:13 pm

  Bought this corolla for 0 percent financing for 5 yrs! Plus edmunds.com gave me a $750 check for buying this on top of any and all deals!!! out the door for @$14k with auto and air/ pw/locks/cd,ect...Now I got 7000 miles on it and get 33.4 mpg ave. I drive 80 miles a day up a mountain road and this car flys. I put aftermarket wheels and tires on it and that really improved the handling. Go up to 225/16/65 size and it really makes difference. Engine is smooth, car is a delight, nice and quiet, but will scoot is you rev up to 4 grand.

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  VERY Satisfied - 2010 Toyota Prius
  By thkim - September 13 - 11:36 am

  I owned a 2004 Lexus LS430. I was VERY HAPPY with my Lexus. The thing is my family grew by two kids. My wife changed to a minivan and I needed to get something more fuel efficient. Did the math and I am saving tons on fuel. The Lexus made me feel good because it is the best luxury car. The Prius makes me feel good because its the most fuel efficient car. Took me a while to get used to losing some of the luxury feel, but over all I couldnt be happier. I also love the fact that Im less dependent of foreign oil for my energy needs. The biggest thing to get used to has been having more people pass me on the road because I drive slower. In my Lexus I was always passing people.

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  Former Mustang Driver - 2006 Toyota Camry Solara
  By ex-Mustang driver - September 13 - 10:50 am

  The Toyota Solara is an exceptionally fun car to drive. With over 30 years of experience driving only standard transmission vehicles, I love the clutchless transmission which gives me the capability of shifting on winding roads or when I want quicker acceleration.

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  Disappointed in shift - 2005 Toyota Camry
  By JimmyC - September 13 - 6:30 am

  Car is OK but the transmission shift problem drive me nuts. Dealer says its normal, I just dont buy it. This is the only car that I have ever owned that has had a problem like this and it is my first foreign car. I have had cars since 1969 and never had a transmission shift like this. I have driven rental unit Camrys that were great. Why my car and why will the dealer not fix it?

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  Entry/Exit Not Easy - 2008 Toyota Avalon
  By Petals - September 13 - 5:20 am

  I had a 99 Avalon and now 08. New Avalon has smooth and solid ride and gives sense of safety. Turning radius is tight for a big car and this is a plus. I miss the bench seat in the 99. Entry and exit on new Avalon is terrible. I am female-56" (sr) and have to practically back in to enter and swing my legs out (they still hit the side of car) to exit. Door is too big and heavy. Toyota might be trying to appeal to younger buyer and may lose seniors if high beltline, heavy doors and entry/exit are not improved. My husband who is 511" cannot get into this car without extensive planning and exact maneuvering-not enough leg room for driver. Need more room in front-not back

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  A MUST HAVE!!!!! - 1996 Toyota 4Runner
  By greatdane - September 13 - 1:26 am

  I have enjoyed owning my 4runner immensely. Its a very dependable and long lasting rig. I have 168,598 miles on it w/ out a lick of problems, "knock on wood". Anyways I would recommend it to anyone.