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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  Excellent Car - 1998 Toyota Avalon
  By SpyderMan51 - July 14 - 9:46 pm

  This car owes me nothing. It is highly reliable and has never left me stranded after 218K miles. It gets ~27 mpg in the DC beltway traffic. I purchased the XL new with very few options and it has all of the need to haves for traveling 1 hr to and from work.

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  Overall above average - 2002 Toyota Sienna
  By H. Zhao - July 14 - 6:53 pm

  Brought brand new in 2002. No major issues with van. Now over 150000 miles and still running like new with regular oil change every 3500 miles and timing belt/engine tune at 110000 miles. One problem was the front passenger side break squeaks often after 15000 miles and problem went away after replace front rotor at 110000 miles. Starter went dead at 85000 miles. Other than that, very reliable.

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  New 2010 purchase - 2010 Toyota 4Runner
  By John in So Cal - July 14 - 11:23 am

  New Purchase in Silver with dark interior. Very solid, secure feeling when driving, smooth shifts, 8way speaker system has a monster bass, not a quick-like-a-bunny feeling when getting on it, but a steady comer. Good viewing, very comfortable cloth seats, excellent handsfree system, ipod plug in, shift handle. 4x2 purchase for the highways.

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  Not what I expected from Toyota - 2010 Toyota Camry
  By Kay - July 14 - 1:30 am

  I purchased the SE model and enjoy its spunk. What I dont like is the numb steering feedback and the feeling that the car is not solid in contact with the road. The driver seat feels like sitting on slats of metal giving it spring instead of cushion. Its caused back issues and hip issues to climb in and out. The transmission is not smooth at low speeds with a slack or jerk feeling on take-off and at slow speed. The transmission feels indecisive. The SEs special cloth is a nightmare to keep looking clean. Two recalls on this car make me "regret buying it" and recalls have already decreased the resale value. The stock Michelin tires seem to generate too much road noise.

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  New owner - 2008 Toyota Sequoia
  By Bob - July 13 - 7:03 pm

  I traded my 2004 Sequoia in for this 2008 Limited 4WD and so far really like the 2008. In town and interstate driving I average 15mpg. I love the six speed on the console and down shift alot to save brakes and it is very simple to do. The 381HP is smooth and more than enough power. The transmission is very smooth shifting. I liked my 2004 so much I was a little hesitant to trade, but I wouldnt go back now that I have had this 2008 for three weeks. Room out the kazoo. The turning radius is great, three foot less than my 2004.

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  A Wonderful Car - 2002 Toyota Prius
  By kchandle - July 13 - 10:00 am

  The only negative about this car is: the back seats dont fold down. This car is one of the best purchases I have ever made. High mileage, clean, quiet, technologically sophisticated, comfortable throughout: a well- integrated whole. I wouldnt take it to the drag strip, but acceleration (due to the CVT) is smooth, consistent and perfectly adequate for any driving I need to do. My operating costs have dropped by 30% from those of my 1987 Saturn SL2 (imagine the difference if you have an SUV now!). I recommend it highly.

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  Great truck - 1997 Toyota 4Runner
  By Rossbo - July 13 - 10:00 am

  Just bought this truck a week ago and I love it. Was considering a 2002 Xterra, but the fact that the rear window goes down had me sold. Limited is great, love the factory chromes.

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  Its worth the $$... - 2001 Toyota Sequoia
  By JSundberg - July 13 - 10:00 am

  Ive had the Sequoia for over a year now and have put 23,000 miles on. Weve travelled through the mountains (pulling another car), driven on long trips, and used it for everyday work trips - and its been awesome! Havent had a single problem - everything works great and its been a great improvement from past unreliable brands (Dodge).

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  brand new v8 - 2002 Toyota Tundra
  By gatorman - July 13 - 10:00 am

  love my new tundra, had a tacoma double cab with the v6 but it just did not have the spunk to pull my 3800lb travel trailer with ease. No problem with the v8 in my tundra but i do miss that back seat. O WELL we can not have everything maybe next year they will come out with true four tundra.

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  rockys truck - 2002 Toyota Tundra
  By rocky barker - July 13 - 10:00 am

  i enjoy driving my tundra truck it is very dependable i have had only one problem with my truck and that was with the front end out of line. Toyota took care of the alinment and replaced the two front tires. I am very satisfied with my truck. Next time i hope i can get a extended cab.