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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  Awesome SUV - 2004 Toyota 4Runner
  By suvfan - March 15 - 2:00 am

  I am extremely pleased with my new 4Runner! The ride is amazingly smooth, acceleration is quick. I dont feel like Im in a truck at all. It drives and rides like a car. The space is great. The double-decker cargo system is very useful. I love the standard running boards. There are a lot of storage compartments, which is always nice. I love the back-up mirrors! I have always been a 4Runner fan, but the newest model is even better! There is more room on the interior. Older models were nice too, but always felt a little too cramped in the front seats. This new model is very nice and spacious.

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  CoRoLla is a GrEat CaR - 2004 Toyota Corolla
  By RaChEl - March 15 - 2:00 am

  my first new car - and i love it!! great on pick up and small enough to fit into tight parking spaces. tons of compartments for knick knacks and very, very roomy!

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  Awesome Starting out car - 2004 Toyota Corolla
  By bosshogg62 - March 15 - 2:00 am

  My wife and I just graduated college and were looking for a cheap, reliable car. We got a great dealer rebate and with good credit, got outstanding financing. I would recommend this car to anyone whos in the same boat we are. Theres not much room in the back seat if youre a grown man, but I dont plan on riding in the back a whole lot because its a blast to drive.

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  Car good, manuals/electronics operation bad. 2017 - 2017 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By LB - March 15 - 12:14 am

  Theres a lot in this car but the dealer doesnt bother to explain how most things work, at least our dealer didnt. And the manuals are terrible, especially the navigation/radio/media one. Presumably just badly translated from the Japanese. Has such neat features as to turn off a level of auto dimming, flick the brights switch 9 times while holding down something else. And good luck in a car wash where automatic door lock opener may sort of short circuit unless you disable key and get it far from door. Other things, like having key open and close window and sunroof need to be done by dealer (who doesnt bother to ask). 8-way seat adjust is nice but you cant program in you settings so must readjust everything every time you switch drivers (its been many years since I owned a car that didnt do this). So I have complaints about things that could be and should have been easily dealt with by company and dealer. But so far (2000mi) no complaints at all about the big stuff like how it runs.

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  First, last and only. - 2006 Toyota Corolla
  By jehu - March 15 - 12:03 am

  What can I say, you get what you pay for. While the car is very dependable and gets good mileage why do the windshield washers freeze, even with good quality washer fluid? Why do the rain gutters insist on failing to do there job? Why does it take so long to heat the cabin in winter? Why Toyota, why, this is supposed to be the magic carpet ride of automobiles, the unfailing Toyota Motor Co. The title of my review says it all.

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  Great ride, great investment, great truck - 2005 Toyota Tacoma
  By Al Ferreira - March 14 - 9:13 pm

  I just recently bought the 05 Tacoma and I absolutely love it. It has the interior feel of an SUV and rides like a Mercedes. This truck was made with a lot more attention to the interior than previous models. The seats are so comfortable and the dash is easily accessible and looks great. The interior is so roomy in the front and the back. But the best thing about driving this truck is the horsepower. When I first bought the truck I left the dealership parking lot spinning the tires not realizing how much power this truck had to offer. I love my truck and I would never trade it in for anything else. Just like every other person I wanted to get the most for my money and I definitely found it.

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  Silly Quality Problems in a Great SuV - 2003 Toyota Sequoia
  By dwingate - March 14 - 9:06 pm

  I purchased this car used from a respectable dealership. This SUV does a great job towing my 3500 lbs. trailer. But, in the 8 months that weve own the car weve had broken Interior Door handles on both driver and passenger side, faulty gasoline tank sensor unit, and rear brake drum retention pin which came loose and eventually chewed up the brake shoes and drum. This is my 1st Toyota and compared to my Honda Accord Im surprised by the Silly Quality problems which one would not expect in a High Priced SUV like this, which Ive had in this relatively short time. Its making me wonder if I should have bought the Pilot?

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  Well Rounded Vehicle - 2009 Toyota Venza
  By TXVenza - March 14 - 3:26 pm

  I am surprised by how much I like the Venza. My numeric ratings are based on comparison to peer vehicles. It is comfortable to drive and is very comfortable for passengers. My wife and I made a 2,000 mile round trip from Central TX to Phoenix. We experienced 26 MPG on this highway trip and cruised at 80 MPH during large stretches of the trip. The Venza is also a good day-to-day vehicle. It is quite capable of hauling small to mid-size items (groceries to small furniture items). Acceleration is surprisingly good. It feels "heavy" during cornering. The electronics (Navigation and stereo) are good. The ride is solid. Cabin noise is quiet up to about 65 MPH and never too loud.

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  Cheaply made, poorly constructed, poor materials - 2018 Toyota Camry
  By Terry Bellomo - March 14 - 2:00 pm

  I purchased this 2019 Camry XSE V6 because of the way it looked. I had a 2008 XLE V6 that I loved, quiet, well made, wood dash and other wooden appointments, soft leather, solid closing doors, quick acceleration, just a very nice car. Then I purchased this 2018, thinking, that in 10 years since my 2008, it would be even more quality filled, quieter, well made, I was wrong. This is a sporty looking car, after that, looking closer, owning it, it is not. Cheaply made, with plastic hang ons in front and rear, even a plastic coin holder, that fell apart after 2 months of ownership. Given an opportunity, I would give it back. The doors sound tinny, the seats are hard as rocks, and not high enough to see out, (Im only 54" tall), the transmission is clunky, not what youd expect from an 8 speed. The still, mickey mouse tilt and telescoping steering wheel, instead of a spring loaded one, its still manual, awful. Paint drops on the inside of the trunk and right door, too much paint applied and not left to dry properly. Just not a Camry I expected when ordered. Cheaply made, poor quality materials used.

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  Car of 2004 N America/Car of 2005 Europe - 2005 Toyota Prius
  By HAPPY PRIUS OWNER! - March 14 - 11:50 am

  Absolutely EXCELLENT! Car of 2004 in N America & Car of 2005 in Europe! YES!" Waited 8 months in line to get it, but deserves it, 100% Yes! I like oneÂ’s review on MSN: "Have owned BMWs, Hondas, Mazdas...this is by far the best. So good that I bought 2 of them." He/She is 100% right!