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:

• 

  We love this hybrid SUV! Best purchase! - 2011 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
  By nvman - August 9 - 10:54 pm

  We needed a small SUV to haul rigid hull inflatable boats (typically less than 2000 lbs). We had the 3500 lbs tow package installed (much nicer than aftermarket). I wanted a hybrid because "peak oil" is real, I want to be able to keep driving and boating foryears to come :) This is a technology wonder. We love it. We routinely take long trips for the business and nobody complains. Everyone is surprised how fast we get there although this is the first car I have ever own that I dont feel compelled to speed in. Its trained me that I can get at destination roughly at the same time without speeding. Its also trained me that fast starts are incredibly wasteful on gas. Easy to get 30 mp

• 

  TOYOTA is big mistake - 2009 Toyota Camry
  By meddoab - August 9 - 10:32 am

  I bought this car in July 2008 brand new from the dealership. I do maintenance regularly at the dealership where I bought it. The first year I had it, it lost a lot of oil but the dealership said it was normal, til now I lose a lot of oil. Now, I have 54K miles on it. Then one day, without any warning, the battery died. I bought a new battery from toyota and still the car wasnt working well. I returned to the dealership and they told me I need a new alternator, I had to pay all of this out of pocket because the warranty ended. I bought this car thinking that it would not give me any problems, I worked 10 hours a day to pay off this car in 3 years and now I this purchase was a HUGE mistake

• 

  Awesome car - 2006 Toyota Prius
  By junior 8 - August 9 - 5:50 am

  Had to learn how to drive again. Gas mileage depends on this and it went from 45 to 55 by just learning a new style. Awesome car. The fuel mileage is estimated at 64city/54 highway. I believe you can get 64 if you drive it correctly and live in an area with not too many stoplights. But realistically I would say 54/54, which is awesome. Thanks

• 

  Dons Salsa Red - 2005 Toyota Prius
  By donalldredge - August 9 - 4:03 am

  Took delivery of my 2005 Salsa Red Prius in December of 2004. I have owned about 20 cars in my lifetime and the Prius is by far the best yet. The "Gee Whiz" gadgets are a joy. The Navigation System is the best. No problem at freeway speeds and it handles like s sports car~

• 

  One year update with my 2000 Toyota Avalon. - 2000 Toyota Avalon
  By hondaacura21 - August 9 - 1:16 am

  Its been exactly a year since I bought my 2000 Toyota Avalon XLS from a private sale. I purchased it with 124,000 miles and its been very reliable with not a single problem. It is really impressive that my 13 year old Avalon still provides a silky smooth drive and is very quiet even compared to never cars. This Avalon is a "poor mans" Lexus. I drove 26K miles in this year: 450 miles a week due to work, a 1750 road trip from GA to TX, and 7000 miles of small mountain trips. Even with both leaky valve cover gaskets, leaky cam seals, old timing belt and water pump and blown struts this Toyota has never left me stranded and drove excellent. Before I give this to my mom I will repair it.

• 

  I love my Rav - 2009 Toyota RAV4
  By Deborah - August 9 - 12:26 am

  If you didnt know this was a four cylinder vehicle, you wouldnt know by its performance. It has far more useful extras, even in the base model I have, than any of the competitors. It also has more storage, hidden, accessible and functional storage - all three. The tailgate is easy to open and the drive is smooth for an SUV except at extremely low speeds (under 20 mph) and even then not bad. I love this car and am glad I chose it. Fuel economy seems to be greater so far than specified on the government websites. Seats are extremely easy to fold up and they fold up flat and low - better than any other model I looked at, and I looked at a lot of them. This is important as I have dogs.

• 

  OK - 1998 Toyota Camry
  By Jeff - August 8 - 1:30 pm

  1st time buyer of a Toyota, bought one because of (so called) reliability. I know I have over 100,000 miles on it now, but I bought this to replaced a Chevy with 160,000 miles on it and have sunk more money into this than I ever did in my Chevy. Look out when you reach 100,000 miles. I had to replace water pump (leaking), power steering pump (leaking), rear struts, tie rod ends, rear cam seal (leaking) and now I have noticed another leak on my garage floor and dealer tells me it is the front cam seal and they have to pull engine (very expensive). Rides rough and rattles. Feels like you are in a go cart it sits so low. Repairs are higher than domestic cars. My wife wants us to trade it in.

• 

  Great truck! - 2008 Toyota Tundra
  By ufd403 - August 8 - 12:46 pm

  Leave it to Toyota to make such a great truck. The quality, size, power and features of the truck make it the best truck on the road.

• 

  39MPG - Im still waiting :) - 2007 Toyota Yaris
  By Ivan - August 8 - 7:30 am

  Replacement for my 88 Corolla FX HB after it blew up. This automatic 2 dr LB is a perfect commuter car for me - point A to B with no nonsense. Plenty of room-I take it to Costco. Parks almost anywhere and turning radius is awesome. Although pricy,$16K out the door, but I really wanted auto windows & doorlocks. Im 64" and there are very few cars, even full size, thatll accomodate me. In this car my head, legs, knees, and elbows have room to spare. Major complaint - rated at 39MPG yeah right, at 1500 miles Im only averaging 34 which is great but I only drive freeway with very little stop and go & follow all the recommendations to get better mileage but havent gotten to 39MPG as others.

• 

  Love my Venza - 2009 Toyota Venza
  By LAL in Charlotte - August 8 - 5:03 am

  I have been in love with this car since it debuted at the Detroit Auto Show in Jan, 2008. I wanted an upscale car with just two rows of seats, but with the cargo area of an SUV. This fits my needs perfectly. Ive got almost 1000 miles on it now and I look for excuses to take it out for a drive. Its easier to get in and out of than my former SUV, but Im sitting higher than in a car. The front hood slopes so that all you see in front of you is road and I feel like I have good vision all the way around. The transmission is silky smooth and it has more than enough power. Getting ready for a trip this weekend I appreciated the low load-in height in the cargo area. Fantastic car!!