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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  Red Bull - 2005 Toyota Celica
  By Michelle - August 28 - 9:20 pm

  I have had this car for 17 months, and its been the best 17 months of my life. I get the looks, the stares, and the whistles... too bad I have a fiance!! This car is super reliable, I can never use the excues that my car is broke down and cant make it to work! Doesnt matter if you truckin through the rain or have the sunroof back and heading to the beach. This is a fantastic car, but... if youre my dad you would disagree. He is about 62" 250lbs, and cant seem to master getting in and out of the vehicle!

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  Great Little Truck! - 2009 Toyota Tacoma
  By Dave - August 28 - 1:56 am

  Only had my Taco for two weeks, but I love it! Interior is laid out logically, and is more comfortable and roomy than I expected. The engine is quiet and peppy even though the tranny has rather high gearing (75 mph at 2500 rpms). The 5sp manual shifts easily and smoothly. The ride is smooth and extremely quiet for a truck. Handling is average, but drives like a car on the highway. Radio and A/C work great. The standard tires and rims dont do much for the looks but ride great and are quiet.

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  Best in its class - 2009 Toyota Tacoma
  By 18wheels - August 27 - 11:46 pm

  This is the best compact/midsize pickup in its class bar none. You get the great toyota reliability and resale value that the other makers cant match. The only disappointments I have are the cheap grade of plastics that the interior is made of (it scratches easy) and the lugging of the engine while accelerating coming out of a low speed turn (about 10 mph). Other than that I love my taco.

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  Just bought 07 Tundra CM 5.7 Limited - 2007 Toyota Tundra
  By gkh_98 - August 27 - 11:40 pm

  Drove my Chevy 1500 for 10 years and I just replaced it with a new Tundra Crew Max Limited w/ 5.7 w/ Navigation and rear DVD. Wow! Went to the dealerships looking to purchase a F-150 Lariat or the Silverado LTZ, and just test drove the Tundra for the fun of it. Wow, what a difference. Felt a bit of guilt for not buying chevy again, but man the power behind the 5.7 makes me grin when I accelerate, and on the freeway the 6spd is smooth and very quiet. Spoiled myelf w/ some extras: navigation w/ bluetooth phone is the deal, sliding rear window nice feature, back up camera for hitching the boat... luxury... like driving a 4x4 lexus w/a bed? Also, the rear seats recline unlike all other trucks!

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  To the Bat Cave!! - 2005 Toyota RAV4
  By BatSUV - August 27 - 8:36 pm

  I love this vehicle! My life is so much easier since switching to the Rav4 from a sports car (my batmobile). Also, I still have the coolness of driving a sporty black vehicle - even though I have a 3 year old riding in the back - without the soccer-mom feel.

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  Cockroach of Cars - 1996 Toyota 4Runner
  By Deidre - August 27 - 3:30 pm

  This car will just not die, now will it! Im the original owner and must admit that Ive not been the best at regular maintenance. Even so, it keeps crawling along with performance like it was brand new (@ 135K miles). Had it in the shop only 2x since Ive owned it and those were probably issues due to my own neglect. Im reluctant to trade up because I just dont want to be disappointed! If I do, I most certainly will have another Toyota product. Cant beat em!

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  The Greatest - 2005 Toyota Highlander
  By Lee - August 27 - 3:26 pm

  Rides like a dream and handles as well. Much more comfortable than the Mercedes M-class that I owned. Will always buy a Toyota!

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  Outstanding Cruiser - 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser
  By Donaldo - August 27 - 2:50 pm

  I traded in my 1996 F250 Powerstroke for the new FJ Cruiser - what a change. Very little road noise, excellent handling, reasonable acceleration, a stereo I can actually hear, and a smooth ride. I had a 90 4Runner, so I expect Toyota quality, and it hasnt disappointed. Surprisingly, my gas mileage has been better than expected - I recently got an average of 23 MPG on a road trip to southern Colorado, and averaged over 18 MPG pulling my Coleman tent trailer over Rabbit Ears pass up to Steamboat Lake. Ive only done a little 4-wheeling so far, and the shift into 4 high was a little harder than Id like, but I think Ill have this one for a long, long time.

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  OH, WHAT A FEELING!! - 2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By sparkland - August 27 - 2:23 am

  This is our first hybrid but our fourth Camry. We changed our allegiance from Toyota to Honda when the Camry appearance became a little too boring. We traded in our 2008 Accord for this new and improved 2012 Camry Hybrid XLE. My wife loves the superior mileage while driving back and forth to work in town. The car is spacious and has one of the largest cabins of any car in its class. The interior is quiet and comfortable. The Camry seems like the "cone of silence" compared with our Accord on the highway. The CVT transmission makes the auto shifting nearly impossible to detect--a very nice feature. I know hybrids are not for everyone, but please at least take a test drive--impressive.

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  Just Got Mine! - 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser
  By anl - August 26 - 7:20 pm

  Have it for a few days now. Love it! Fun to drive and comfortable.