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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  Best Toyota Ive Owned - 2013 Toyota Avalon Hybrid
  By jsaldana - May 31 - 10:31 pm

  My first car was a 78 Celica and Ive had Toyotas ever since, this is the best of them. Great style, great design, excellent quality throughout, great mpg, great value if you cross shop Lexus, BMW, or Infinity. Keep the car in eco mode and youll get 40+ mpg. Switch over to Sport mode if you need some kick, not a sport sedan but still entertaining. I went looking for a hybrid when my commute doubled, tried Prius, Camry, Lexus ES300H, Ford C-Max & Fusion, the Avalon has the best balance of comfort, luxury, handling and fuel efficiency. I paid more than I was planning but worth every penny. I expect to keep this car for 15+ years so the cost per mile is well worth it to me.

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  Tacoma 2nd Week Still A Dream - 2005 Toyota Tacoma
  By BriGuy - May 31 - 10:06 pm

  Bought Tacoma w/TRD off road package 2 wks ago and am loving it. Warning - its a big truck. Wont fit in garage, even though I have the 2dr Access cab version. Parking brake takes getting used to (its an old-school pull type handle) but works just fine. Saw complaints on net about paint chipping on speedway blue, black and radiant red, but havent seen any on my silver truck.

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  Nice Ride - 2009 Toyota Camry
  By Greg - May 30 - 10:33 pm

  Was looking at this and the Acura TL 2008 model. Wife liked this one. First tank of gas 29 mpg. Half driving was interstate at 80 mph and half all around driving city and hwy. 2nd tank 32 mpg highway driving at 70 mph hwy. Nice and comfortable. Reclining rear seats, in two positions, 4 degrees each. Plenty of leg room. Nice power. Not sporty power like the Acura but it has plenty. Hands free Blue tooth is the only way to go. Call comes in, once paired with your phone, radio goes off, hit talk switch on steering wheel and just talk and drive. When call is over, hang up the phone, that is located on your steering wheel and the radio comes back. Very safe feature. Great car.

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  First Black FJ in Colorado - 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser
  By CAL - May 30 - 6:23 pm

  18,000 miles and 19.8 mpg everytime. 70% city driving. Prior to my FJ I usually bought and sold my cars at least once year. The only vehicle that I have ever owned that compared to the highway ride I enjoy with the FJ was a Lincoln Navigator and it had a bit of pitch and roll. My FJ does not have that feel and does not feel like a 4x4 on the highway.

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  Happy with my choice. - 2017 Toyota Highlander
  By Tom - May 30 - 11:14 am

  Spent many months researching before buying and ended up with an old favorite. This is our second highlander and it is even better than before. We found a 2017 certified used (Dealer rental) and negotiated a real good deal. Under $40,000 with 100,000 bumper to bumper warranty. Only thing less than perfect are the front seat comfort is not quite soft enough for my old back (my wife who is picker than me has no complaints and thinks the ride is better than her Lexus) and the voice activated command is very temperamental. I think that a little adjustment on my part will bring these up to Toyota standards.

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  96 Toyota 4-runner limited remarks - 1996 Toyota 4Runner
  By runner4 - May 30 - 10:00 am

  I love my Toyota, its so nice and the re-sale on them is so good!!! I get complements on my 4-runner all the time. This has to the best SUV that any manufacture (SP?) has ever came out with!!!

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  Great "Vehicle". cant call it a car - 2003 Toyota Matrix
  By WVcop - May 30 - 10:00 am

  Bought this car for the wife as a "work" car because she liked the looks and it got great gas milage. i drive a police car all day and have an 86 trans am that i enjoy on the weekends. The Matrix XR that we got is just as fun to drive as either one of them. I highly recomend the Matrix.

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  Excellent Truck - 2002 Toyota Tacoma
  By Brian B - May 30 - 10:00 am

  I had a Nissan truck for the last seven years and it was very good but this Toyota is great! I was concerned about the ablility to pull our 4,300 pound boat but it was no problem at all. I have owned several Toyota vehicles in the past and all provided years of trouble free service. Im expecting to keep this one for at least 8 years. Almost bought a Ranger since they had such a low price and rebates until I started talking to people that have owned them and saw the poor rating for Ranger four wheel drives in Consumer Reports. Glad I checked it out plus I have had very bad luck with Fords in general.

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  Same as Lexus and Less expensive - 2002 Toyota Camry
  By Herb - May 30 - 10:00 am

  This is a Honda Accord Killer

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  absolutley da best - 2005 Toyota Sequoia
  By marye13 - May 30 - 6:50 am

  this is the 5th toyota for our family. they are the most reliable and all around thumbs up. we have had old landcruisers,and I drove a celica for 17 years and had almost 300,000 miles on it and still sold it for 300.00 more than i bought it for. As long as you do the normal maintance, toyota will keep on going. I will not have another vehicle in our drive way! well worth the money in the long run!!!