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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  Nearly Perfect - 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
  By JShue - February 18 - 4:13 am

  Theres nothing bad to say. Im getting great gas mileage for an SUV, 24-32 mpg. You have to pay attention to your driving style to get it though, no fast accelerating, etc. It handles really well for you non-sports car drivers. Its easy to drive, fun and very comfortable. Tons of room, head and legs, unless you are 6-2 and try to fit in the third row, although that still was better than any small car backseat Ive been stuffed in. The standard features with the base model are good enough although mine came with the popular plus package which came with more features than I would have asked for. This vehicle was simply better than anything else I researched and/or test drove.

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  LOvin it - 1995 Toyota Corolla
  By J. Adorno - February 18 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car as a first car, no cosigner, no one helping me, i did it all by myself, and my parents are a but analytical, so they break it down and determine if it was giid or not, and they love the car i bought. Awesome car!!

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  Love this car! - 2002 Toyota Prius
  By deenao - February 18 - 2:00 am

  I have been very pleased with the performance and value of my Prius. Ive averaged 40 mpg driving only in the city, which is less than the estimate, but I expected that. Ive been especially pleased with the way it handled in the snow. And its sooooo quiet!

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  Sleek Van - 2003 Toyota Sienna
  By neilsankar - February 18 - 2:00 am

  Great piece of excellence

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  Smooth/Quiet Ride - 2002 Toyota Highlander
  By Don Lusk - February 18 - 2:00 am

  The Highlander is sporty and provides a ride equal or better than most cars. The engine performs well (Very quiet), the acceleration is good and the transmission shifts smoothly. The sporty details of the exterior makes it rather attractive to look at. The interior controls are welllocated and the storage space is is more than adequate for CDs, tapes, etc.

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  HLNDR - 2002 Toyota Highlander
  By asta - February 18 - 2:00 am

  So far, I have no complaints. The auto is relatively expensive when compared to similar vehicles. It does take some time getting acustomed to dropping 30K on a truck. I expect it to pay off 8-10 years down the road.

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  Riding high - 2003 Toyota Highlander
  By ddn_11 - February 18 - 2:00 am

  Have had the car now for 2 months and it is wonderful to drive. The car is spacious feels airy and comfortable. I had test drove 3 other similar cars and the Highlander went to the top of the list. The engine a V6 is strong and smooth. The AWD is great in the snow. The cars finish is nearly perfect and everything is laid out nicely in the cabin and the controls are easy to use. While some reviews complained about the odd placement of the shifter, I have no complaints. The exterior is growing on me and somewhere between the CRV and the 4Runner. Its a SUV after all and boxy is okay...though the Honda Pilot I thought was too boxy.

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  Need a smooth ride in SUV - 2003 Toyota Highlander
  By RAJA - February 18 - 2:00 am

  It is good and very nice to drive in the cities.

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  Love My Car - 2003 Toyota Corolla
  By beanie - February 18 - 2:00 am

  This is my first car and I cant be more pleased. I get about 400 miles per gallon. I have driven about 22000 miles and have had NO mechanical problems. The car is a blast to drive and I love how small it is on the outside and how roomy it is on the inside. I have hauled large pieces of furniture with no problem because there is so much room. Having a standard transmission gives the car a little more kick as far as pick-up. I would recommend this car to anyone who does a lot of driving and likes the sporty look.

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  Great little car - 2007 Toyota Yaris
  By Carrie Livingston - February 17 - 8:40 pm

  My husband and I just purchased this car for me to drive all over the state for my clinicals. Ive only driven it a day and already love it. It handles very well and gets great gas mileage. This car is so roomy on the inside. I traded in my Escort for this and some how its shorter in length but much bigger on the inside, no one has to sit with their knees in their chest to have enough leg room. Its taking a little getting used to looking at the speedometer in the center, but Im sure Ill get used to it.