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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  New corolla is Awesome - 2004 Toyota Corolla
  By bethaney11 - January 6 - 2:00 am

  I hated the looks of the 80 and 90s Toyota Corollas. There is even a song about a really ugly brown Toyota Corolla that makes fun of it. But I put my stereotypes away and test drove the 2004 model and fell in love. I drive alot with my job so it is important that I feel safe and comfrontable and get good mileage. Add these features to envrionmentally savy, reliable, and very sporty, it is a car well worth its price and I feel it compares well with vehicles that cost $20,000 more. I feel like this vehicle and I will be many miles together. Very awesome. Good Job Toyota!!!!

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  I am glad I got rid of my honda accord.. - 2003 Toyota Corolla
  By Letitia Fyfield - January 6 - 2:00 am

  I was having trouble with my honda accord and I got tired of putting money into this car and I am so glad that the dealership talked me into getting a corolla because this is the best car that I have driven I love the color and the body style of the car and it is built like that of the camary and I heard people say that this corolla is a baby camary

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  great little car - 2003 Toyota Corolla
  By pbrunn - January 6 - 2:00 am

  Our 2004 corolla s is a good looking fun to drive car. It handles well, has very good gas mileage, and suprising exceleration.

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  SIENNA 2003 - 2004 Toyota Sienna
  By LAU367 - January 6 - 2:00 am

  THE VAN DOESNT FEEL LIKE A VAN, IT HAS INCREDIBLE PICK-UP. LOTS OF ROOM FOR CAR SEATS, ALL THE FEATURES A PARENT IS LOOKING FOR FOR STORAGE, SAFETY, AND COMFORT

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  My Corolla S - 2006 Toyota Corolla
  By My Toyota Corolla - January 6 - 1:50 am

  Ive had my 06 corolla s for about one year now and Im very pleased with it. Before I purchased my car, I was driving a 03 corolla ce. At that time it had 52,000 miles, currently 120,000. I didnt like the BASIC trim with no pwr windows, door locks, cruise, abs, etc. The 03 is in great condition, despite some maintenance thats needed. The 06 s is way better. I love the exterior design with the full body pkg. Rated at 126 hp is not much, but really doesnt feel like 126. Ive taken the liberty and placed a v6 badge on the vehicle, of course I raised a few eyebrows, but hey, why not. Fill the tank with 93oct, and you notice a big difference. Overall Im satisfied with it. Its a great car.

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  Very pleased - 2007 Toyota Tundra
  By pleased - January 5 - 5:13 pm

  I picked up my new SR5 CrewMax yesterday. It is a gorgeous vehicle, Silver Sky exterior, with black leather interior. It seems to have very good road manners, tracks very straight and stops very straight. It is fast and very smooth, like a luxury sedan. It is also a big vehicle and you sit quite tall in the saddle. My truck is equipped with a lot of the extras that come standard on the CrewMax Limited, but my truck was $4300 less than a Limited, so I feel like I got a very good value for my money. The fit and finish are fantastic. It is the first vehicle I have ever owned where I can find no blemishes, interior or exterior.

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  Great Luxury Car at a Reasonable Price - 2006 Toyota Avalon
  By Goldstreak - January 5 - 2:03 am

  My new 2006 XLS drives much smoother and has a great overall feel compared to my prevous 2001 Avalon and all the other competitors that I tested in its class. The 2006 also seems much roomier, especially in the back seats. Gas mileage is exceptional for a car with its size and accelaration.

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  Gr8 Car - 2006 Toyota Corolla
  By LuvCorolla - January 4 - 6:53 pm

  This is a good handling and turning car drives well and quiet. For the money I recommend it.

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  Great vehicle - 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser
  By csuziwin - January 4 - 11:26 am

  Comfortable, great on jeep trails. not too big or too small.

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  This RAV is the Mac Daddy - 2009 Toyota RAV4
  By glowwing - January 4 - 7:16 am

  Im 52 and this is by far the nicest car i have ever owned. i would never have guessed any car would beat my 4runner but i was wrong. The loaded 4 runner is great but all things considered the RAV takes the gold star!