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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  Old Reliable - 2001 Toyota RAV4
  By JBG - July 13 - 10:00 am

  Ive had my Rav for a little over a year. While its very easy to drive, it lacks power and handling. Its size is adequate, and its easy to park in smaller spaces thanks to the short front end. Im not too crazy about the exterior design. While its an improvement over the original body style, its a little too "cutesie" for me. Its almost like a station wagon on steroids. Anyway, overall, its roomy enough to be comfortable on long trips, and for the price, its a dependable little car.

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  Good & Bad - 2002 Toyota Camry
  By Calif Driver - July 13 - 10:00 am

  The overall design is fairly decent, however, the interior of my Camry has flaws. First of all, the radio has been replaced twice (its on the third one!), the console drink holder has broken and the brake pedal makes intermittent noise. The ride is very smooth and quite and the back seat is comfortable for evenings out with guests. Great turning radius and easy to drive. If Toyota can just get the interior problems corrected I would be overjoyed with the car.

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  I love my Corolla - 2002 Toyota Corolla
  By Love my corolla - July 13 - 9:23 am

  What I love about my Corolla: Great gas mileage; cheap car payment; minimal repairs; she always starts; Toyota service has been mostly great What I dont love about my Corolla: Shes hopeless going up hills on the highway; merging on the highway can be scary b/c her pickup is slow; Ive had problems turning the key in the ignition (just turn harder); my check engine light came on after a couple years (carbon filter replaced under warrantee); not enough leg room in the backseat (I am 511)

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  Great car, with room for improvement - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By Dinov - July 13 - 12:20 am

  I picked up my car two weeks ago. Great car and a very smooth ride. Good mileage (29 mpg for combined city and highway driving on my first tank). Within a couple of days, noticed that the car was pulling to the left. I took it to the dealer and he said that it needs alignment (due to being tied on a truck; why cant dealers check it before customers pick up their cars?). I also noticed that at 70 mph with cross-wind, the car almost seems to float and moves sideways quite a bit (not sure if it related to alignment or car is extremely aerodynamic). I have the same complaint about door strips.

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  hope it will last many years - 2009 Toyota Corolla
  By cdivers - July 12 - 11:43 pm

  noise in front suspension,dealer replaced both front struts and housing at 4500 miles. gas mileage great,steering is odd.I have owned 15 Toyotas before this one,car was too pricing for what you got on the vehicle,interior fabric and plastic could be better. Just hope this corolla last.

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  Excellent Workhorse - 1996 Toyota Avalon
  By tOMfOOL - July 12 - 11:26 pm

  While this car would not be considered a "workhorse" like a truck or whatever, it is a fantastic car for a salesman who has to cover a huge territory in all weather and have a car that looks good. Even though the car now looks somewhat outdated, it has kept its snazzy appearance quite well -- especially as compared to some of the Pontiacs and Fords Ive seen. The car has 125,000 miles on it and EVERYTHING still works as well as it did when it was new: windows, doors, sunroof, cupholder and yes, the TAPE PLAYER and CD. Im truly amazed at how many other cars Ive seen (like my friends Malibu) that never made it past the first 5 years. My Avalon still feels like a new BMW -- no joke!

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  We love this car - 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser
  By rpinsb - July 12 - 3:23 am

  We bought this car in July and immediately headed to Arizona, Northern California and Washington. Drove it on highways and up steep dirt roads. This car loves to climb but its great on the highway too. Put 8k miles in 6 weeks and we loved every moment of the trip.

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  Not great - 2005 Toyota Sequoia
  By CentralValley - July 11 - 9:46 pm

  We bought it to replace a Honda Odyssey because it was quieter and felt more solid. However, it performs worse, averages 7 MPG less and is not as comfortable or cargo-friendly. It refuses to get over 18 mpg on the highway and averages 13 in town. The socket to slide the 3rd row middle shoulder belt into will not hold it in place, so it dangles from the roof. One of the plastic moldings on the exterior of the rt. rear door came loose for no reason. The power rear window motor burned out and needed to be replaced. The dealer said that was common.(???) The rubber flaps in the front cup holders have torn out so cups arent held snug. Too many cheap, hard plastic surfaces inside.

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  Comfortable ride. - 2002 Toyota Camry
  By Viv - July 11 - 7:43 pm

  I bought it used with 38000 miles. Engine light came on a few months after purchase. I ignored it. At 86000 miles I had the 02 sensor and catalytic converter fixed. Paid 1200.00 to get car fixed. Was not a happy camper. Since then, no other problems. I hope to drive it for at least 250000 miles.

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  Awsome Car - 2007 Toyota Yaris
  By Old Man - July 11 - 6:40 pm

  I bought my 07 Yaris Hatchback and never had any problems with this car. Ive owned about 13 cars now... some new and some used...Im only 28 but I love cars. Drove VWs all my life but had too many problems. Needed a new car and tried the yaris. I love this car...it looks cool ..drives great (I get about 35-42 mpgs) how can you beat that. its simple and clean...even though the windows are manual and locks.. theyll never break!.. you get used to the speed of it..its slow but fun to drive. No tachometer.. but if you know how to drive .. you never look at the tach anyways..I recommend the car in white makes it look pricier...its more fun to drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow. I give it an 8/10.