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 truck for the money - 2004 Toyota Tacoma
  By T.K. - March 8 - 2:00 am

  Toyotas cost more, but over the long troublefree life of this truck, its the cheapest 4x4 on or off the road. I finally blew a head gasket in my 94 2wd at 225,000 miles. Im getting it fixed, but decided to step up to a new 4X4. So many improvements! I know Im going to love my new Tacoma.

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  An Excellent car. - 2004 Toyota Highlander
  By Donald L. Dady - March 8 - 2:00 am

  We have 7,000 miles on this vehicle, and our friends all rave for its beauty, we love the gas mileage, comfort and looks of this car. Think we made a very good choice.

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  Super Auto - 2004 Toyota Corolla
  By J. Mahon - March 8 - 2:00 am

  Just an all around great car. Fun to drive, great fuel economy and extremely Reliable. Complaints to dealer since purchase is zero. Toyotas reputation is a definite plus. I have a 1992 Toyota Tercel in showroom condition. Runs like new. Id love to buy the new hybrid but cant until the Tercel dies, and I dont think thats ever gonna

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  Second Sienna - 2004 Toyota Sienna
  By Harry Aldrich - March 8 - 2:00 am

  Previously owned a 2001 Sienna CE. The 2004 is smoother, softer-riding, very quiet on the road. Handling has improved on cornering. Acceleration is Just a dite less that my previous Sienna, and of course, gas mileage is less, locally. This is a top-of-the- line car in many ways: convenience, improved interior lighting, overall looks, but the inside and its seemingly hundreds of conveniences is outstanding. Yes, I plan to be a repeat buyer!

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  Bad Ride - 2004 Toyota Sienna
  By Everett S - March 8 - 2:00 am

  I had the car for 330 miles and the ride was like a truck. When I took it to the dealer, hear is the answer I received on my service ticket. "Advised custome of tempatures below 30 degrees. COuld cause oil in shocks and struts to thicken producing harsh ride." Well the tempature went to 43 degrees and still a harsh ride. I drove three other Siennas and still a harsh ride. We returned the Van. If it rides like a truck, who cares about the other qualities of the car. If you going to buy this van, dont get caught up in what they say is a smooth ride. NOTE: MY dealer was great during the process of returning the VAN.

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  A Great Vehicle - 2004 Toyota Sienna
  By tregruban5 - March 8 - 2:00 am

  First off, for those of you that want leather and to get rid of the black lacquer dash and install wood grain accents in an LE it is possible--mine was done at the port up in Jacksonville before being shipped to the dealership. Youll pay, but it is well worth it. If you are a music fan, do not pass on the JBL system...I did and regret it. As far as performance, this vehicle moves- but as others have stated the brakes are soft and the transmission does hesitate a bit but nothing really to complain about. Toyota has really produced a well thought out vehicle. We are very satisfied.

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  I LOVE IT! - 2004 Toyota Sienna
  By Crystal28 - March 8 - 2:00 am

  We just got the toyota sienna and it has everything imaginable on it. Everyday we discover a new gadget or compartment. It is beautiful, the design is awsome, comfortable, and reliable. The second week I saw the tire pressure sign come up and we thought somthing was wrong. Well it turned out that we had a tiny nail in our tire and the sienna spotted it. THIS CAR IS ALIVE!! DEFINATELY TOPS THE ODESSEY! THE BEST MINIVAN BY FAR!!

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  one nice ride - 2004 Toyota Camry
  By stikpeddler - March 8 - 2:00 am

  car drives and handels very well needs better sterio system and sportier dash for sports model

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  I love the RAV4!! - 2007 Toyota RAV4
  By Michele - March 7 - 6:26 pm

  Ive only had this car for less than a month and I have to say that I just love to drive it! For a 4 cyl. this car can move through traffic and has great acceleration onto the freeway ramps. It looks beautiful from the inside and out with lots of room in the cargo.

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  Selling after 2-years - 2003 Toyota Tacoma
  By JIMnPHX - March 7 - 2:46 pm

  First Toyota Ive ever owned. Was sick of my Ford Explorer and my Jeep with all the maintenance issues. Consumer Reports shows great reliability numbers so I purchased it. Over the two years Ive not had one problem with the truck. I average 17 mpg. Weve taken a couple long trips and the two kids (11 & 9) were very comfortable in the rear seats. However I did not enjoy the drivers seat on long trips. My right foot got cramped due to the angle I had to keep by foot at. I am 6-ft 1-in and just never felt at home in the seats. My wife is 5-8 and has no problems. We towed a pop-up camper at 70 mph and got 15.25 over 1200 mile trip thru the mountains of Az and Utah. 20 mpg on other trips.