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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  test drove and it was awesome - 2004 Toyota Highlander
  By bill newlun - May 15 - 10:00 am

  i could not get over the ride of this vehicle it was very smooth to ride in, quit, comfortable, roomy ,drove very well,seem impressive on hills and road driving,i would say if i could afford this highlander i would buy it , but the price is a little steap, and the payments would keep youbusy and there would be no play time or vacation fun just work until its paid off ,

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  Roomy and sporty! - 2005 Toyota Matrix
  By nwpassages - May 15 - 9:23 am

  I had a Nissan Pathfinder for 16 years and I was terrified of buying a new car when I had such success in the past. This is the perfect car for someone who needs cargo space, AWD and decent gas mileage. I have been absolutely pleased with it from driving around town to long road trips.

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  2004 Toyota Prius Review - 2005 Toyota Prius
  By Mike - May 15 - 4:46 am

  Great car, an extinction level event for the rest of the industry if they dont move fast. This is a product that is transformative, one that changes your expectations about the entire automobile universe. Case in point is the fact that the computerized control system shuts down the engine when you stop at a light, while the air and radio play on. Why any automobile should have to burn gas while it is not moving forward is a mystery unexceptable trait. The weight distribution is great the handling is nimble, this is one great car!

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  Like a rock - 2004 Toyota 4Runner
  By richard randall - May 15 - 2:53 am

  Sorry, couldnt resist the title but this thing is built like one. Quiet, comfortable, lots of power in the V6 with good gas mileage, I get around 22 mostly in-town driving. Its a sweet ride!

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  Excellent - 2008 Toyota Sienna
  By nathan - May 14 - 2:56 pm

  I have compared all three major vans like odyssey, quest and sienna. No doubt Sienna tops among all three. With 8 passenger is really worth and the same thing in odyssey even kids cant sit it that middle seat (that much small). Its just a week I started driving this but still few negative points like you cant make the 2nd row as bench seat by removing the middle seat and no power option for opening trunk in LE models. If Toyota comes up with more option for LEs then no other minivan can come closer to this including odyssey.

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  toyota prius - 2005 Toyota Prius
  By kathy - May 14 - 9:36 am

  I LOVE my Prius.Not only does it live up to the fuel economy ratings but it is excellent for the environment with ultra low emissions. It has more head and leg room than my previous car (Camry) and is tons of fun to drive. I like the extra features like the hands free speaker phone with the controls on the steering wheel.I also like the added safety feature of having the controls for the sound system and air conditioning on the steering wheel. The navigation system is a bonus with my job in the home health care field! AND most importantly - I LOVE not having to fill it up as often as everyone else! It is also very quiet - a very low noise polluter too.

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  Much better car compared to the newer models - 2006 Toyota Camry
  By C Logemann - May 14 - 5:14 am

  Great car. Very reliable. Plenty of room inside. Large trunk. Great breaks. Easy steering. Very low maintenance cost. Bought used with 17,000 miles on car. Smooth ride on highways.

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  I love my new Sequoia!! - 2008 Toyota Sequoia
  By lovemysequoia - May 14 - 1:53 am

  This SUV is so easy to drive. The ride is nice and the interior is very comfortable.

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  Johns Avalon - 2006 Toyota Avalon
  By Limited - May 13 - 10:20 pm

  Excellent car and fantastic mileage. I dont like the look of the car from the rear however.

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  Not Quite Perfect - 2007 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
  By GeoC - May 13 - 11:30 am

  I wish this vehicle were available without the space-wasting third seat, handled like an MR2, and provided the mileage of my bicycle. In the real world, however, this is a downright excellent vehicle. My spouse especially loves the visibility.