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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  Fun to drive and cant beat the price - 2001 Toyota Celica
  By Boots143 - May 26 - 10:00 am

  I have had my Celica for a year now and still love it. Its great with mileage and its fun to drive. Im only 52" and I have some problems with the size but its what I wanted. I have had no problems with it, except for a couple of speeding tickets.

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  review - 1996 Toyota Camry
  By Sofashack - May 26 - 10:00 am

  EXCELLENT! AFTER 123000 MILES IT STILL DRIVES LIKE THE DAY IT WAS BORN!

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  Awesome car! Needs minor improvements - 2000 Toyota Celica
  By GT-S happy - May 26 - 10:00 am

  What an awesome car! If I get to decide again, will buy the exact same car! Own since 03/2000. Regularly receive lots of compliments. No major problems. Handling, performance, reliability and looks cant be beaten.

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  Cool car - 2000 Toyota Celica
  By `Rebecca - May 26 - 10:00 am

  I chose this car over a toyota spyder. I have not been disappointed yet.

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  Like a Rock! - 1999 Toyota Tacoma
  By GWHunter - May 26 - 10:00 am

  Vrreeeeep!!! Thats the sound it makes with a supercharger!! Truck is a blast to drive. I had to retard the timing a little for the supercharger (TRD says you dont need to, but you do to avoid pinging). Anyway, the truck has more punch than anything Ive driven. I can outrun any truck on the road and still maintain better average gas mileage. Ive put 17000 miles on it since I bought it and I have no complaints. GET ONE!!!! Supercharge it!!

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  Disappointed - 2003 Toyota Camry Solara
  By JPA - May 26 - 10:00 am

  Actually I own a 2000 SE V6 Manual and I am very disappointed to see that Toyota has dropped that transmission from the V6 lineup. The manual is the reason I went with the Solara versus the Accord. Now for 2003, the Accord comes with a 240 hp V6 AND a manual for about the same price as a now underpowered and not so fun to drive Solara (in comparison to the competition). I very much enjoy the Solara but in a year or so when ready to buy a new car, I wonÂ’t consider the Solara without the manual transmission.

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  pinch me - 2001 Toyota Sequoia
  By Double J - May 26 - 10:00 am

  This truck is the one! Its fun to drive and the quality is TOPS! I do alot of travel (40,000) and this truck is awesome! Previous owner of a few 4- runners and thought the added room would come in handy. The resale on toyota product is great if you take care of your vehicle. Cant say enough good things about the sequoia. Go out and drive one today..........

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  We Love Our Truck! - 2000 Toyota Tundra
  By ra_fiki - May 26 - 10:00 am

  Prior to buying the Tundra we owned a fully loaded 1996 4WD V6 Tacoma, which was a very impressive vehicle in its own right. The Tundra surpasses all expectations -- comfortable ride, reliable, and great-looking. Ours was one of the first sold in GA and it turned heads, still does!

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  Good car, no V6 - 2003 Toyota Matrix
  By Kre - May 26 - 10:00 am

  I have had a good experience with the Matrix thus far. I wish it came in a V6 though. But other than that, it is comfortable, reliable and affordable.

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  Matrix - 2003 Toyota Matrix
  By Monkee - May 26 - 10:00 am

  I really do like my Matrix XR but I have some things I dont like about it. The engine is loud, I have a 5 speed and when I shift at even a low RPM like 3K RPM the engine is literally screaming. The interior looks very cool but Ive had some problems with rattles in the dash and the door. The red gauges are hard to read. Blindspots are pretty bad in this car.