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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  My Best Owned Vehicle - 2005 Toyota Sienna
  By jimwrye - April 22 - 12:26 pm

  This is a very comfortable vehicle. It has excellent steering and turning ratio. It has everything most people are looking for in a vehicle.

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  Great Truck - 2002 Toyota 4Runner
  By Richard - April 22 - 12:06 pm

  I was very upset with Toyota because I found out after purchasing my 95 4Runner with the 3.0 that there was a known problem with head gaskets but they did not recall for that year. They made up for it with my 2002. Toyota gave me more than I expected for my trade (even knowing the head gaskets were about to go) and sold this one to me at low book. Its been a great truck. Rides great, fun off-road, reliable. Im going to lift this baby up, add bigger tires, and give myself more clearance since it climbs very well over rocks and boulders. My 15 year old is waiting for me to give it to him when he turns 16. Too bad, so sad. Hell have to buy his own. Im keeping mine.

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  I love my new Yaris - 2007 Toyota Yaris
  By Schandelle - April 22 - 7:40 am

  I just got my new Yaris today and I love it. It is taking me some time to get used to driving a new car, but it handles great. It excels much better than my old car, and very quickly for a 4 cylinder. I got the 4 door sedan. I didnt get any special features, just a radio/cd player, but it is better equipped than my old car. At this pricepoint, the payments are affordable on my part time college student income. I just cant say enough about my car.

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  You can depend on this one. - 2004 Toyota Highlander
  By ED - April 22 - 7:36 am

  I always buy Toyota because of the reliability and quality. This is no exception. Yes the ride is a little uncomfortable, and the tranny does feel awkward in certain situations, but so far this car has not given me any problems not one, it had a minor recall issue but Toyota took care of it at no charge; some sensor needed to be replaced. I would recommend this SUV to anyone who needs security to move around on a day to day basis.

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  Great Electric Car - 2013 Toyota RAV4 EV
  By kesscalade - April 22 - 3:05 am

  Ive owned the Rav4EV for about 5 months now and I love it! I did a lot of EV car research and in summary this car is as good as it gets without shelling out another $20,000 minimum to get a Tesla, which are phenomenal cars. Really fun to drive. Since the car is a Tesla/Toyota venture you feel the power and fun driving experience of the Tesla to some degree but still have the size and space of an SUV. For someone who dislikes small cars this car was a perfect choice for me. Cant beat the silent drive and zero gas stops. Great interior look and feel as well!

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  Impressive - 2007 Toyota Tundra
  By Pacific Northwest - April 22 - 12:36 am

  Just bought a 2007 Crewmax Ltd. Really happy with the truck. This is my first truck. My wife also loves it. Always dreamt of having one. Wanted to buy an all American Chevy. Test drove one along with Tundra. Changed my mind and got Tundra. Superior handling and style. Smooth engine.

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  2006 Tundra Limited 4Dr 4X4 - 2006 Toyota Tundra
  By Steven Marco - April 21 - 9:16 pm

  I bought this new Tundra because a co-worker has one with 90K hard-driving miles and stil feels "new". I love the Tundra because it has ample room for 5 comfortable passengers, has an easy-to-use 4x4 system that has gotten me out of several icy situations. It has the refinement of a Mercedes-Benz combined with the fun of an ATV! After 2000 miles I would recommend this truck to anyone who needs a truck for family/projects/towing.

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  Going from a Truck to a Sedan - 2010 Toyota Corolla
  By ELS - April 21 - 8:20 pm

  I was looking for a car with good gas mileage and reliability. I drove a 1997 Ford F-150 for several years, and the gas and maintenance was putting a dent in my checkbook. I researched and test drove 3 cars: Honda Fit, Hyundai Elantra, and the Toyota Corolla. All fit into my price range of 15000-19000. It was close between the Hyundai and Toyota, but I chose the Corolla. It came down to reliability and dependability. Plus, theyre both priced about the same. Ive had my Corolla LE (keyless entry and cruise control) for about a week. This was my first time purchasing a car and I order through Carsdirect.com because I didnt want to deal with hassling. I got a good deal; paid 16.2.

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  2008 4Runner V8 4X4 - 2008 Toyota 4Runner
  By kalicat - April 21 - 8:15 pm

  I bought it brand new and in a couple of months it will be 4 years old. 57K miles on it. I have never had a single mechanical issue with it. I put the front end leveling kit on it, and larger tires w/after market rims - but the engine is stock. My only complaint is the gas mileage! Even driving like an old lady, 95% highway mileage (its my commuter car now) I only get 17 mpg. Friends that have the v6 said they get the same. Dealer says they will give me 22,500 if I trade it in (decided not to anyway) Great resale! Overall, am very happy with it!

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  Perfect balance between car and SUV - 2006 Toyota Matrix
  By Mike - April 21 - 4:03 am

  The Matrix is a great car. Its comfortable, roomy, and stylish. Folding down the rear seats creates a very roomy cargo space. The rear window opens upward, allowing long items to easily extend out the back. The seats are comfortable, the dashboard is futuristic. My passengers report plenty of legroom. Lots of little features like a flat-folding passenger seat and an ordinary AC outlet add up. I like it so much that when my 03 Matrix was totalled in an accident, I went out and bought an 06.