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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  Unbeatable! - 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser
  By Rustler - December 3 - 4:36 pm

  There is no 4x4 sold today or in yesteryear that beats this machine! Even stock it will school most other 4x4s. Add a 3" lift, some larger tires (e.g., 33"), rock rails, an onboard 4x4 equipment, and youre ready to rock the big trails, e.g., Fordyce Creek, Rubicon, Moab. This is THE offroading vehicle of the century! Ive owned many vehicles, driven jeeps, etc., and this is the finest and funnest vehicle Ive ever owned! You can miss with this one!

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  Good Commuter, Off Road, Cruiser - 2010 Toyota 4Runner
  By Leon - December 3 - 4:20 am

  This truck replaced my 04 Highlander Ltd. I was afraid of the gas mileage, but its almost a tie (19 mpg avg.) The cabin is very well appointed. The seats are very comfortable. Fit and finish are impeccable. My 4Runner LTD Edition is not wallowing excessively at all, as some reviews indicate. While the ride is not as carlike as crossovers, the good olÂ’ feel of the body on frame is worth the compromise. On the positive side, it glides over New Englands potholes with aplomb without any sign or sound of the suspension destruction. I hope that this truck will be safe, much more durable than my previous, and last longer with little maintenance."

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  executive car - 2005 Toyota Camry
  By rahul - December 3 - 4:16 am

  it is awesome car i have seen in comparison to benz c-class

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  Best Crossover - 2010 Toyota Venza
  By Robert S - December 2 - 11:50 pm

  My wife and I fell in love with this car the moment we saw it. We liked the Blizzard Pearl exterior paint the best. Great styling,Very pleasant ride, and the interior is designed very well. I could hardly believe the way it handles the road. Our Camry was OK, but this car is far and away more fun to drive. We also enjoy being able to enter and leave the vehicle without any hassle, owing to the added height. I would say that this is the Best Crossover on the market for the money.

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  Awesome place - great service and cars - 2014 Toyota Camry
  By Danielle C - December 2 - 7:27 pm

  My family and I loved this place! We went to purchase a new car since my old one was crappy. Sam was the absolute best, he walked us through the cars I was interested in, showed us all the background information on each one, was straightforward with all our questions and was overall a great person to work with. Perry was also great and Ismael helped with financing so much. We will definitely be back for the next car and will recommend to friends!

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  We Picked The Right Car For Us! - 2011 Toyota Camry
  By showskyline - December 2 - 7:47 am

  We have leased 2 Toyotas previously to this one, and really shopped around for the best deal and best car for the money. We had a Matrix, and wanted more leg room, so the Camry was the natural choice. Toyota beat out ALL other companies on price, and we are very pleased with the quality of the car. Sharp look, smooth ride and handling. Wonderful gas milage too! For an entry level model, it has a lot of extras, and I really dont think its a boring ride at all. Love the car, and cant think of anything I dont like. Leased it the end of Dec.

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  Best! - 2008 Toyota Sienna
  By Will - December 2 - 6:20 am

  This is the best van on the market today hands down. It has a powerful engine that gets good gas mileage, about 21-22 mpg mixed city and highway driving with up to 26 mpg on the highway. The JBL system is amazing. The dvd player is great and it shows clear. The navigation system is great with a nice review camera. The power folding 3rd row is wonderful. The seats and ride are extremely comfortable.

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  Toyota Prius - 2005 Toyota Prius
  By Dolores Reig - December 2 - 6:16 am

  I am delighted with my experiences driving the Prius. It drives like a much larger car. I feel as if I am driving a computer assisted vehicle which intuits my needs. I had a very close call when a car suddenly pulled into my lane in front of me without warning. I did not think I would stop before impact. With the Prius, I felt as if the tires were velcroed to the ground; it stopped immediately without any fishtailing or any sidewise movement. I do not believe my Nissan would have stopped so quickly or made me feel so secure. I have been driving Nissans most of my adult life (my other car is still a Nissan) but after the Prius, I am now a convicted Toyota advocate.

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  Love my Matrix - 2003 Toyota Matrix
  By jacben - December 1 - 12:20 pm

  Having driven and owned many different vehicles, I have never encountered one that I enjoy as much as I enjoy my Matrix. It responds quickly, drives smoothly, gets great gas mileage, holds 4 people comfortably enough for a 3000 mile road trip and looks sporty and fun. Complaints: The air conditioner quit because of an internal air filter that neither I nor my mechanic knew existed. (Once it was discovered and changed the A\C began to work again.) My standard transmission stalls too easily when starting off in first gear. The body has been marred in several places by minor bumps.

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  Gotta have it! - 2003 Toyota Sequoia
  By zenak - December 1 - 10:00 am

  I have the LOADED limited. With everything, every damn option including the grey emblem package and the DVD.