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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  Long Term Love Affair - 2002 Toyota Camry
  By joeshed - March 2 - 10:13 am

  This car surpasses all competitors when one considers quality, features, comfort, design, room, performance, reliability, and value. Yes it costs more initially, but Toyotas hold their resale value, so focus on total ownership cost. Those who scoff at the Camry as an "appliance" generally are trying to defend their choice of less reliable, less cost-effective car purchases, because this car is luxurious, user-friendly, and a delight to drive, without the schmaltz. The car is quiet, tight, and smooth, handles predictably well, and has a smooth power curve. In 65K miles its total repairs were 2 new sets of brakes, a new battery, 4 new BF Goodrich Traction TA tires, and a steering gear lube.

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  good - 2003 Toyota Sequoia
  By cperez - March 2 - 10:00 am

  excellent car with many features. A very fun car to drive. It is also a very comfortable car and has a nice interior and exterior.

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  super car - 2001 Toyota Echo
  By volunteer - March 2 - 10:00 am

  This is a well-made car that is so very fund to drive. The high seating position makes for terrific view. You can see traffic so well in this car. It is simply fun to drive--so smooth yet peppy. Ive only two minor complaints: my 2002 seems a bit noisy at highway speeds, and the wind tosses it a bit. I spend 99 percent of my driving in commutes, and nothing beats the ECHO for this.

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  The best car in the entire world!!!!!!!! - 2003 Toyota Celica
  By aznla - March 2 - 10:00 am

  Can not compare to any others car. The best car in terms of power train and tranny. Not like any cars that made in Detroit. Im going to keep this car forever. It has the power which I expected to have and it gets up fast and run fast as well. Over all this is going to be my babbbiiiii forever. Toyotas are the best. Keep it up.

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  love em - 2000 Toyota RAV4
  By mommamel - March 2 - 10:00 am

  fun,sporty,but still big enough for the family

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  Absolutely love it! - 2003 Toyota Matrix
  By Allie - March 2 - 10:00 am

  This car replaced my Volvo wagon. The matrix has tons of room, great fuel economy and is a breeze to park in the city. The seats fold completely flat. My two boxer love the fact they have more room than they did in the back of the volvo. The seats are are contoured and very comfortable. They adjust updown, back front, tilt. It is our vehicle of choice for road trips and our other car is luxury cadillac STS. At the home depot last weekend I bought an 8 ft ladder and it fit no problem in my Matrix. So far no problems with reliablity. The only time its been to the garage is for an oil change and tire rotation.

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  I so love this SUV! - 2003 Toyota Highlander
  By akinca - March 2 - 10:00 am

  I have had this SUV for two weeks and I love it!! It handles well. Its quiet. It has all the options that I wanted. Its not too big or too small. Its just right in size. It was less expensive than the Pilot (and it came with all the "bells and whistles".) Im very pleased with my purchase.

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  A Fun Corolla - 2004 Toyota Corolla
  By Tim R. Y. - March 2 - 10:00 am

  My 2004 Corolla S Looks Good & drives Good.. Fuel ecomomy exceeding 35 is amazing.. My Indigo Blue color shines during the day & is really cool during the Hot Vegas Nights..

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  BEST SUV EVER PURCHASED! - 2005 Toyota Sequoia
  By dplandry - March 1 - 3:13 pm

  Weve had our new Sequoia less than a week and my wife and I already love it! It is by far the best riding vehicle we have ever owned. Im very impressed at how powerful it is for being such a large vehicle and how unusually quiet it is inside. We have plenty of room for our 3 kids and their friends.

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  Truck of the year - 2005 Toyota Tacoma
  By Superman_54 - March 1 - 2:43 pm

  This truck is awesome. I get so many compliments of the truck and the color I chose which is speedway blue. It stands out in a crowd of all types of vehicles and it has the power to pass all of them. Gas mileage is pretty bad though. It handles quite well off road with its TRD suspension and fairly high stock ground clearance. It beats all of its competition in most categories. and its a Toyota.