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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  No more Suburbans - 2003 Toyota Sequoia
  By martinadrian - December 1 - 10:00 am

  After eight years of having suburbans in our family, we decided to spend just a little more and get something we would not have to trade in every 2 to 3 years. It is amazing how much nicer this feels than a suburban. The turning radius is like a small car, it is more comfortable than our suburbans were and I feel that I wont have to be trading it in after 70,000 miles. You dont many used Sequoias for sale, that should tell you something!

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  Love it - 2003 Toyota Sequoia
  By HappyNH - December 1 - 10:00 am

  I love my new Sequoia. It handles like a dream and we can take long rides with the kids without a complaint. Wish there were memory seats since husband so much taller, even my 2000 Explorer had those. Great room and can actually seat 8 confortably. Would recommend to all!

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  GREATEST SUV - 2003 Toyota Land Cruiser
  By JERRY152 - December 1 - 10:00 am

  I HAVE SELDOM ENJOYED DRIVING UNTIL I PURCHASED MY LAND CRUISER, I LOOK FORWARD TO TAKING TRIPS NOW.

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  Its a real beauty - 2001 Toyota Avalon
  By Gary Tucker - December 1 - 10:00 am

  This car has been my best experience with a Toyota product. Started with a 4 Runner then to a Camry XLS and now have the Avalon XLS which there is no comparison. I was also quite surprised with the gas mileage when using the cruise control. Makes a huge difference when traveling to use the cruise control.

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  Toyota Strong - 2000 Toyota 4Runner
  By WSU92 - December 1 - 10:00 am

  This Toyota stands strong to the name it represents. The heritage of Toyota quality is passed on to this automobile. The five-speed manual transmission with the V6 is a fuel friendly, aggressive combination capable of handling suburban traffic entrapments and natures liberating climbs. The interior comprises an appealing approach to functionality and resourcefulness. This model and year is sure to please the toughest of critics.

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  Excellent - 2003 Toyota Matrix
  By DeShantra - December 1 - 10:00 am

  Ive driven this car everywhere!! No problems at all. I bought it a year ago and it still feels like new.

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  Top Tundra - 2003 Toyota Tundra
  By GN - December 1 - 10:00 am

  Serenely quiet in town and on the highway. Great acceleration and good handling. Gas milage okay - 17 MPG mixed. Fit and finish are remarkable. Havent checked towing yet, but expect it will be quite capable. 4X4 works well and transmits road feel to the steering wheel.

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  Better than I expected - 2003 Toyota RAV4
  By S.Baker - December 1 - 10:00 am

  We bought this Rav for the wife. She had some reservations about the 4 cyl. After driving it for a few months it has excceded her and my expectations. Off road its great as long as you avoid extreme situations.Ground clearance is fantastic, very little wheel spin and very agile. On the highway it really shines, it will cruise all day without breaking a sweat up hills included with close to 30 mpg.Once it gets too 3000 rpms its pretty impressive. The only real down side is the cup holders could use some improvement and it can be a real slug at stop light to stop light unless you activate the ECT.

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  The best midsize SUV - 2003 Toyota 4Runner
  By JSac - December 1 - 10:00 am

  My fiance and I has tested many SUVs including Highlander and Pilot. Though refine & relible, both look plain and limited off-road. We love the bold look of the new 4Runner. Seats and ride are comfortable with little noise. It has 5- star side-crash rating and loaded with safety like ABS, EBD, VSC. The 4.0L V6 VVT-i cranks out 245HP & 283@3400, much more than Highlander & Pilot. 0-60 under 8 seconds is faster than most SUVs. 5000lbs towing is also great. 4Runner is great 4 off-road, with low-4, HAC and DAC. 4Runner has legendary reliability. It now shares the platform with the Lexus GX470, manufactured at Tahara plant, ranked #1 by JD Power.

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  A True 4X4 SUV - 2003 Toyota 4Runner
  By 2003HELP - December 1 - 10:00 am

  What a blast. The best of both worlds. Great on the highway and AWESOME off the paved highway.I was tired of my Blazer and Grand Cherokee getting doors and scratches from the brush. CLADDING BABY, one of the reasons I bought it. The V-6 has torque to spare in 4 Wheel Lo. Toyota has a winner on the new motor design. MPG is fair for such a high compression engine. Using the DAC in sticky situations is UNREAL. For the money (under 30,000), nothing touches this. Dorado Gold with the Grey Cladding. This is a sophisticated monster on and off road...