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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  My Prius - 2005 Toyota Prius
  By Gina - April 19 - 3:30 am

  I love my Prius, I feel I am contributing to a clean environment in the city rather than contributing to the pollution; It is silent, clean, has a smooth operation. It makes me feel as if I am flying an airplane with all the push buttons features it offers. Hybrid cars are the way to go if we want a clean environment and oil free lungs and mind :-)

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  90K and still chirpn into 3rd - 2003 Toyota Camry
  By WePlayCrazy - April 19 - 2:53 am

  I rock dark tints all around, even the windshield has a light tint, the cars white and I keep it clean. It looks like a Camry, it is what it is. I bought it because it has the best resale value and is dependable, what else do you buy a Camry for? You want to be bad, buy a Ducati.

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  oh what a feelin!!! - 2002 Toyota Tacoma
  By Jabo - April 19 - 2:20 am

  Guys, My truck rocks. I love the mini truck/ 4 wheel monster/ did you say mud? Look it has. This is my 1st Toyota ever, and I love it. It feels solid on any surface I put it on. My wife seems to enjoy driving it as much as I do. Im not sure why toyota went to such a bigger body style with the tacoma. I love it when I pull Z-71s out of the mud with my little truck. The extra cab has good room for me, the wife, and a 6, and 1 year old.

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  free to drive - 2002 Toyota Prius
  By prius owner - April 19 - 2:00 am

  excellent car gas milliage is wonderful,drives with pep and hugs the turns

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  The Best Little SUV Ever! - 2004 Toyota RAV4
  By Barb Blasing - April 19 - 2:00 am

  This is my second Rav4. Both of my Rav 4s were dependable in any kind of weather. We get great gas mileage. It is easy and fun to drive and easy to park. It starts no matter how cold the weather has been. It handles snow drifts across highways and holds the road very well when slippery. It is all that is was advertised to be! The exterior and interior design of the new Rav4 is very attractive and just makes you want to get in and drive. The Sterio/CD is great too. There is plenty of head room in the new Rav4 to accomodate my husband. He doesnt feel cramped at all while driving it. Thank you Toyota for consistanly making an excellant product!

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  Well Pleased - 2000 Toyota Camry
  By SteveR - April 19 - 2:00 am

  We bought this car to replace our 1997 Camry LE. While some interior finishing seemd to be inferior to the LE, the XLE overall is an excellent car - comfortable, reliable, and fun to drive. Recently we noticed some throbbing of the brake pedal and it appears that the rotors are warped and worn to the point of requiring replacement; brake pads and tires are worn out and require replacement at 62,000 km (38,000 miles). At least, that is what the dealer tells me; seems a bit soon to me. Windshield replacement is cheap.

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  its fun 2 drive 4RUNNER - 2004 Toyota 4Runner
  By HOT STUFF - April 19 - 2:00 am

  My review is the 4RUNNER is the most perfect SUV that a human being could have. 4RUNNER is Dependable, Reliable.The 4RUNNER is perfect!!!!

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  2003 Corolla - 2003 Toyota Corolla
  By DinkyDor - April 19 - 2:00 am

  I went from a Ford Taurus to the Corolla and I absolutely love it. Comfort is great and the gas mileage is even better. I recommend this car for anyone who does a lot of driving.

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  sienna review - 2004 Toyota Sienna
  By sienna - April 19 - 2:00 am

  I test drove the dodge,ford and honda. They were no comparson to the toyota with the way it drives and handles.

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  the perfect car - 2007 Toyota Yaris
  By brighterdeath - April 18 - 10:00 pm

  First, Im not a fan of the sedan, it is rather ordinary while the 3 door liftback is anything but. This is a great car! Its built beautifully. Im 6 foot 4 and have plenty of room, as much or more than most larger cars. It is an optical illusion, small on the outside, big on the inside. The center gauges make me wonder why they havent been there standard for years, now the speed easily comes into my line of view as I am scanning for traffic, rather than having to avert my eyes and see through the steering wheel. The car stops, steers and just in general, feels very good. I have a hard time referring to it as an economy car, it is cheap to run but there is nothing "cheap" about it.