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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  Traded in my Mini Cooper for a Yaris! - 2007 Toyota Yaris
  By Scott - April 18 - 1:20 pm

  Traded a 2005 MiniCooper S for this car. I have no regrets. Its not a Mini, but its alot closer than you might think. Handling is very good. Manual tranny gives it lots of pep. I LOVE all the nooks (3 glove boxes!). It looks great. Fits 4 adults, no problem (plus suitcases in the trunk). Id recommend this to anyone.

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  Get rid of old gas guzzlers - 2009 Toyota Corolla
  By Mario - April 18 - 7:16 am

  This Corolla replaced 1987 Pontiac 6000. What a difference. On one tank I made 423 miles using 10.6 gallons of gas approximately 40 miles per gallon. This car was purchased based on experience from my Camry.

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  traded 2009 Corolla for 2013 - 2013 Toyota Corolla
  By dftampa - April 18 - 7:04 am

  I had enough issues with my 2009 Corolla to trade in for a new 2013 Corolla. So far I really enjoy driving this vehicle and cannot wait for a road trip. Compared to the 2009 version the 2013 Corolla drives like a luxury vehicle. The pep seems to match the 2009 vehicle which is not spectacular but adequate and I love some of the standard items that added to help Toyota keep up with the American car makers.

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  The Best - 2006 Toyota 4Runner
  By Elmore - April 18 - 12:33 am

  This is a great SUV. Looks good, drives even better, and has lots of power. I use this car for work and go off road on the weekends- Also drives great in snow (4x4, AWD)

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  Better Than Excellent - 2005 Toyota Camry
  By Teresa A. Ahumada - April 17 - 3:36 pm

  This is about the 5th car our family has owned-weve had other car brands before. My daughter has had Toyotas always and has been extremely content with them. In her business she runs them very many miles. She is the person who encouraged me to purchase a Toyota. If the newer models turn out to be as reliable I shall again purchase Toyotas. Parts for this car are not expensive and, above all, the dealers service people who service my car are very professional and kind.

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  Very good value and performance - 2006 Toyota RAV4
  By Elli - April 17 - 10:56 am

  I traded in a gas guzzler for a car with good gas mileage and an excellent reputation. I bought the base 2WD and I am not sorry. It did fine in the limited snow this year in NJ, and it has really great pickup (almost as good as the aforementioned V6 4WD gas guzzler!). I like that is has a lot of nice detail on the interior, compared to some other econo-boxes which are plain and drab in the base model (ex. Ford Escape and the Honda CRV). Gas mileage is pretty good, considering I do almost all city driving (I get about 22mpg). Best part is that its a Toyota and I think I will be able to drive it for the next 300,000 miles without too much worry!

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  Love the Highlander - 2008 Toyota Highlander
  By Reese - April 17 - 5:26 am

  I love my 2008 Toyota Highlander. Yes, there are some issues in the snow with sliding, but this issue is not the vehicle, but rather the tires available for the Limited models 19 inch wheels. Only 2 manufacturers make good tires for this vehicle, and with a lower profile tire, you wont have the traction you would have from a 17 inch or smaller wheel. The ride and gas mileage (23mpg avg.) are great. Some rattling noises from the dashboard in the cold when hitting bumps. Overall Im very pleased with this vehicle. I would recommend buying this vehicle if you want a well equipped, dependable, reliable, quality suv without the large price tag. Toyota has succeeded again.

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  One safe and comfortable car - 2000 Toyota Avalon
  By schiavone - April 17 - 2:00 am

  The Toyota Avalon is the best car I have ever owned. It handles and rides like a $50,000 luxury car, but cost $20,000 less. The engine and transmission are exceptional. The roominess is amazing, and reliability is second to none. I get 28-30 MPG on the highway on regular gas. Fit and finish is perfect. Safety is very good, as a matter of fact, I owned a 1996 Avalon and was hit head-on by a truck at highway speeds. The car was a total loss, but I had minimal injuries thanks to the engineering of the body, the airbag, and seatbelts, everything worked perfectly. After the accident, I immediately bought the 2000 Avalon which I am driving now.

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  Toyota Camry LE - 1998 Toyota Camry
  By jazz - April 17 - 2:00 am

  The Camry is by far the best car I have ever owned. It handles like a dream, and it has plenty of get up and go, especially for a 4 cylinder engine. It is very comfortable to ride in on long trips. All of the controls are easy to get at. It gets good gas mileage and is visually a beautiful automobile. It is also known for its reliability. What more could a person ask for in a car. I test drove many cars before deciding on the Toyota and I think Im hooked.

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  Satisfied - 2002 Toyota Camry
  By lmid - April 17 - 2:00 am

  I tested the Altima 3.5- nice features like sound system, cruise & audio on steering wheel (Toyota could have added), and exterior design, but the interior looked cheap. The seats were uncomfortable. I tested the Lexus ES300, but the added Luxury does not justify not getting a V6 XLE. I bought the Camry for all I received for the money. I hope it lives up to its reliability reputation. One reviewer also mentioned a sulfur type smell. I experienced this for the first week, but not since.