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:

• 

  First 1,200 Miles - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By Hoot 27 - May 20 - 8:16 pm

  Other than a pretty firm ride, I have nothing but good to say about my Camry XLE V6 with GPS. The GPS made my life easy on a 700 mile trip to an unfamiliar location. Performance was great. 29 mpg overall. No transmission problems as reported by so many others. Ive had 3 BMWs and only one of them could offer a more comfortable ride than the Camry. A BMW 528 with the same equipment would cost over $20,000 more! This thing scoots!

• 

  Gas Relief! -- The Sequel - 2003 Toyota Corolla
  By opie - May 20 - 6:36 pm

  After owning this car for 5.5 years and 105000 miles, I can proudly say that I have had absolutely no problems with this car! I have changed the serpentine belt, brakes and tires and that is it. It even has the original battery. Absolutely flawless reliability. I will never buy any other brand! And yes, I can still get 40+ miles per gallon on the highway. Thanks Toyota -- you made a believer out of me!

• 

  Charistics - 2005 Toyota Camry
  By Charles-PhD. - May 20 - 5:16 am

  Interior well laid out. Lumbar support would be nice if added to passenger side also as stander. Model should have more option without going to XLE.

• 

  Love it! - 2008 Toyota 4Runner
  By ksdogwalker - May 20 - 5:11 am

  I bought this truck used in 2011, with 138k miles. Yes, you read that correctly: 138,000 miles! Everything had just been 100% serviced and it was like buying it brand new. In the 30k miles I have had it (including driving halfway across the country), I have only had 2 issues. 1. I have had the driveshaft (?) lubricated twice due to a "thunk" sound and small lurch when stopping - no charge by the dealer; apparently it is common. 2. This winter, the back hatch has begun to freeze when its below 30° outside and becomes impossible to open (at least for this gal!). Sort of a pain. Of note: the paint scratches relatively easily, but I havent noticed any rust issues. Just irritating.

• 

  Yaris scores a "10"! - 2007 Toyota Yaris
  By MAG47 - May 20 - 4:20 am

  Last year we were in the market for a car and we bought the Yaris as a reliable, affordable mode of transportation. In little time we realized what a great investment we had made. The Yaris offers great gas mileage without sacrificing comfort.

• 

  My Second Prius - 2004 Toyota Prius
  By 4 Dr STD Hatchback - May 19 - 4:26 pm

  My first Prius was the 2002 compact model. When I saw the larger 2004 model, I traded. Ive driven it on long trips over mountains and averaged 51.7 mpg with a mixture of 70 mph Interstates and 45 to 55 mph 2-lane roads in the Mountains of KY, WV and VA. It has lots of room and is most comfortable and fun to drive.

• 

  MR2 ROADSTER (Spyder) - 2002 Toyota MR2 Spyder
  By Paul McDonald - May 19 - 1:36 pm

  Love it to death, its fast, its nice to look at and its a convertible...It turns heads what more do you want.

• 

  5th Toyota, going strong! - 2005 Toyota Corolla
  By Carollin along - May 19 - 12:53 pm

  Ive owned several Toyotas, Hondas, Mercedes, a Nissan, a BMW and numerous American made cars in 45 years of driving. This little Corolla S tops them all. It has the fit and finish of more expensive vehicles, the best gas mileage and I am betting on the reliability. It drives and idles smooth, is peppy when needed and most of all, a joy to drive.

• 

  Never thought I would like a compact - 2008 Toyota Yaris
  By HuntingtonBeach - May 19 - 11:56 am

  I always had SUVs or mid-size sedans and thought I would never get stuck in a compact as small as the Yaris. I did so, for the mileage only. After driving it for a week, I love it. The stress of paying at the pump is gone. Before my daughter saw the car, she suggested that I get tint, so people wouldnt see me. After I got it, she thought it was pretty cool. I went to a major public event, when I came driving out of the parking lot and my window was down, people walking by started asking me questions, about the car. All the other cars in the lot were Mercedes and BMWs. It seemed as if everyone was more impressed with the Yaris. I havent paid so little for a vehicle, since 1980.

• 

  The best one yet - 2005 Toyota Tacoma
  By justfine - May 19 - 11:40 am

  My 05 is my 3rd Tacoma in a row. Previously an 01, and before a 95. The road handling on this one is night and day difference than the other 2. It does everything that I ask off road and gets decent mileage, 18 around town and up to 26 on the highway. Its about 4 1/2 years old, 150,000 miles, and drives like new. Nothing but oil changes, tires and brakes so far!!!