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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  Tires on factory Toyota - 2008 Toyota Highlander
  By Jeff H - June 24 - 10:13 am

  I have owned Toyotas in the past and was very pleased. with the newer ones though I wonder? Runs great as all Toyotas, great acceleration and braking. The ride is stiff, may be that this replaced a Honda Odyssey (bad van). Seems to have more road noise than previous Toyota models. Overall at this point I would buy another Highlander.

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  Nice Car - 2005 Toyota Camry Solara
  By zachj7 - June 23 - 3:42 pm

  I really like this car. It looks really nice from the outside and looks good on the inside. The fuel economy is nice. It turns eyes. It is very reliable. The only thing I am not cray about is that it feels like you are driving a bus sometimes. They should have tightened up the steering. It really drives like a grandpa lexus and I knew that going into it. I had an audi before this and nothing compares to the audis AWD, however the solara does pretty well in the snow. Overall, very solid car that looks really good.

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  Fun Car to Drive - 2005 Toyota Prius
  By Daniel Honzik - June 23 - 9:10 am

  I just bought this car last week, so I dont have too much experience with it yet. I love the way it handles and the futuristic display. The navigation system is top rate and I would recommend this car to anyone who evironmental aware and wants great gas mileage.

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  Cute but lacking some things - 2018 Toyota C-HR
  By Diane S - June 22 - 11:23 am

  No rear window washer . No rear latch within the car. Mileage is only 23 a Mile in town . Rear door is heavy.

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  Great SUV, but ... - 2003 Toyota 4Runner
  By emak - June 22 - 10:00 am

  I bought 4Runner because Toyotas reputation of quality and reliability. Its a great SUV, but the quality is not is not there. The car has rattles all over sunroof/headliner after only 2K miles. The sunroof also decreases already limited headroom space. I think, Toyota should take Hondas approach - DONT DO IT IF YOU CANNOT DO IT RIGHT and droop the sunroof option. Now after a couple of trips to the dealership I am thinking Id be better of with Explorer.

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  My Corolla! - 2004 Toyota Corolla
  By Joe man for life - June 22 - 10:00 am

  Overall you cant beat this car for the price. for a 4 banger its pretty peppy. for a compact car the ride is quiet and smooth. Great gas mileage!

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  Still very new - 2004 Toyota Corolla
  By y - June 22 - 10:00 am

  So far, the car is great. I have just over 1000 miles (owned it for two weeks). So far, the MPG is disappointing. It is averaging about 30 mph on the highway. I expect more. It also sounds "tinny" when I accelerate from a stop.

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  Transmission problems - 2003 Toyota Camry
  By Morey Dennison - June 22 - 10:00 am

  I purchased my V6 XLE in June. After reading a couple other posts and talking to a few friends, I believe this car has serious transmission problems. The car shifts roughs and hesitates all the time. It bumps into gear at times, especially when slowing not quite to a stop, and then accelerating. Keyes Toyota in Van Nuys assures me that this is a normal function of the transmission. If it is a normal function of the transmission, it makes it very uncomfortable to drive.

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  Good family car..but not so comfortable - 2004 Toyota Sienna
  By finartlvr - June 22 - 10:00 am

  The van is fine,,but it is small and a bit uncomfortable if you are a larger than average person. It doesnt handle smooth, but i am used to driving a cadillac.

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  Disapointing gas milage - 2005 Toyota Prius
  By Bill in Mississippi - June 21 - 11:06 pm

  The best milage I have gotten with this car is 51mpg. It started averaging about 47. It has been declining steadily. It now gets in the upper 30s to low 40s. The dealer only makes excuses. The car starts the gasoline engine every time it is started even with a warm engine and good battery charge. Sometimes it kicks in the gas with just a touch of the excelerator pedal. The dealer seems to indicate that there is no way to check the computer or upgrade firmware. All concidered, comfort, utility of the hatch back and fold down seats and usually getting milage in the low 40s in town on short trips, I guess I cant complain when compaired to gasoline models with the same features.