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:

• 

  I Love My Matrix - 2006 Toyota Matrix
  By Heather - June 15 - 9:53 am

  I bought my Matrix Certified Used from my local Toyota dealer almost a year ago and I am loving my Matrix! The cargo room is awesome (we like to fold down the back seats and sleep in there on camping trips) I have been so thankful to have the cargo room because I have needed it many times! The gas mileage is AMAZING! It has plenty of pep but as other reviewers mention a little more power would be nice at times. I think the new 2009 model is cool looking but after taking a look at the dealer I think I like my 2006 better, the new one seems like they got cheap with the materials a bit. The nice shiny gauge and stereo display are now a faux silver plastic, and overall it does not seem as solid

• 

  High pitched sound between 38-40 mph - 2010 Toyota RAV4
  By bem521 - June 15 - 12:23 am

  I have just purchased my new limited rav 4 6cylinder about 2 weeks ago. I love having this SUV but I do hear a very annoying noise when i drive between 38-40. It sounds like a high pitched ringing noise. Has anyone else noticed this problem with their rav? I seem to think it is related to the transmission. I once owned a jetta v6 and I had the same problem with that car. It was a complete nightmare. They had a batch of bad transmissions replaced it twice and still no good. Finally bought the car back from me but lost money. I hope this is not the case with my rav 4 but if anyone else has noticed this sound I would love to hear from you. Thanks

• 

  1998 T100 4WD - 1998 Toyota T100
  By John - June 14 - 11:53 pm

  There is nothing to love about this truck. IF you can find one its worth every penny. This truck puts both the new Tundra and Tacoma to shame both in looks and in quality. Only trouble with these trucks is they bring a premium price and are highly sought after. If they are in good shape they are expensive and sell very quickly.

• 

  A very functional SUV! - 2009 Toyota RAV4
  By rdiddy801 - June 14 - 6:30 pm

  Ive had my RAV-4 for about four months now, and Im quite happy with it. The ride is smooth and the suspension seems solid. I took it off road recently and it handled the terrain okay. Im getting 25 MPG with a fairly even mix of city/highway driving. The interior is very functional--the back seats slide forward and back, and they split so you have more cargo options. I like the MP3 jack in the center armrest, and theres a little niche there thats perfect for an iPhone. My only complaints: the back window doesnt open (which would allow you to carry long lumber that could hang out the back, for example), and the rear hatch opens towards the curb.

• 

  4th one is the charm! - 2017 Toyota Prius
  By James DAMATO - June 14 - 3:18 pm

  My 4th Prius. Love them.

• 

  Love it - 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
  By pete - June 14 - 10:13 am

  The Highlander is comfortable, easy to get in and out of, and rides as well as my Cadillac.

• 

  7 1/2 times around the planet so far - 2001 Toyota 4Runner
  By okie_bill - June 14 - 9:06 am

  I purchased my 2001 4Runner SR5 Sport eight years ago this month, a mere 195K miles ago. Every year I look at the new car ads and every year I say, "maybe in another 15K miles." This is the best built, strongest running car Ive ever owned. Like others, Ive had a couple of similar minor issues - a broken power antenna, a center console fuse that burns out and yes, the worthless rear window deflector, but thats it. Ive had to replace the original tires once, have had *one* tune-up and the brakes have never been touched. Amazing. Its driven the Alaskan Highway, survived 2 winters in N. Dakota and still manages an average of 18 mpg. Why would I ever trade it in?

• 

  Fabulous car - 1994 Toyota Camry
  By David W - June 14 - 5:33 am

  This car has been a total pleasure as well as a joy to drive. It is peppy and accelerates very well getting onto highways and when we need to move quickly. We have 205,000 miles, and have never had to do anything more than routine maintenance which we do religiously. The leather seats are showing wear after 17 years but other than that, we have no sense we are driving an older car, and we think the design is still handsome.

• 

  New Car - 2010 Toyota Camry
  By gofersatchmo - June 13 - 2:23 pm

  Just got a new 2010 Cary SE, my wife loves it, were getting 30+ mpg in town and you cant beat that for the comfort and ride.

• 

  Sequoia - 2003 Toyota Sequoia
  By momof5 - June 13 - 10:00 am

  It drives smoothly and quietly, the windshield wipers were a bit noisey which surprised us and the seat that has to be raised for the third row can be cumbersome as well as heavy at times; I would have liked it if the air vents were more directional but the rear air is great and there is plenty of room for a family of seven.