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:

• 

  50% the cost of a Mercedes S550 - 2008 Toyota Avalon
  By ymhnk - March 31 - 4:33 am

  Half the cost of the 2007 Mercedes S550 I traded in for 2008 SL550, and every bit as good, useful, and performing. Roomy backseat and 4-doors is very comfortable for 4 adults.

• 

  Wow! Bigger, beautiful, fast, handles well - 2014 Toyota Highlander
  By happyrc - March 31 - 12:25 am

  Accelerates fast (3.5 L engine) and smoothly because it has 6 speeds. I would guess 0-60 time of 7.1 like 2013 model. - Voice commands for dialing a phone, playing a song - Double wishbone rear suspension for better handling and wider 3rd row. We hardly felt speed bumps. - Shelf for cellphone, Bluetooth, hands-free - BIG 8inch GPS TOUCHSCREEN and backup camera and apps like Accuweather, traffic. and computer is snappy - side mirrors have turn light blinkers - more space behind the 3rd row - Sexy styling (looks a little like Jeep Cherokee and BMW X5) with chrome accents on the roofline. Integrated rear spoiler. The doors body tapers in toward the glass window

• 

  I love my Camry! - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By Annabelles Mom - March 30 - 11:23 pm

  I have read a lot of bad reviews on here about other peoples Camrys but I have never had any problems. Gas mileage is unreal! Anytime anyone rides in my car they gives compliments about the interior. Overall I have been very pleased with my Camry. Its just sad that all the recalls have truly hurt Toyotas reputation. I think they are still the most reliable cars on the road though!

• 

  Amazing Car - 2005 Toyota Prius
  By Green Tea - March 30 - 10:10 am

  Weve had our Prius for almost a year now, and Im impressed with how fantastic our experience has been... so much so, we sold our second car to buy a second Prius. Dont believe the stories that you wont see anything above 35 mpg with the car. I drive a little faster than my wife, and Im getting 48 mpg routinely; shes a stickler for the speed limit and gets 54. The car is amazingly fun to drive, very responsive on the steering, has some of the best braking Ive experienced, and its technology is so far beyond anything else available today. It continues to start conversations with people in the parking lot who are skeptical of the fuel efficiency claims.

• 

  Just Took Delivery - 2011 Toyota Highlander
  By dexter01 - March 30 - 3:13 am

  What a difference from our 05 4-Runner. After reading the scathing reviews for the 11 4-Runner, we chose the Highlander Limited. We cannot believe hoe much more room there is in the Highlander. Our 66" son can easily fit behind the wheel and in the second seat. Plenty of head and leg room all around. The V6 is smooth, powerful and really quiet. The navigation system will take a little while to master, but so far I have not become discouraged. I really like the re-design and the interior fit and finish are really Lexus-like. I am very pleased with our decision and expect to enjoy this vehicle for many years to come.

• 

  My MR2 - 2000 Toyota MR2 Spyder
  By MR2 10990 - March 30 - 2:00 am

  Best value roadster on the market! Nothing but praise for the dealership and the car itself.

• 

  WOW.....JUST WOW! - 1999 Toyota Camry Solara
  By Jesper Joackeas - March 30 - 2:00 am

  THIS CAR ROCKS MY WORLD!

• 

  Zig Zag it up to a V6 - 2003 Toyota Matrix
  By BOOMERce - March 30 - 2:00 am

  This is a great little car. While it is not as big as a SUV I can still fit everything I need in it and get better than 15MPG

• 

  Great Truck - 2002 Toyota Tacoma
  By Jetfuelman - March 30 - 2:00 am

  Where I work I could have gotten a substantial supplier discount on any GM vehicle. However, rather than buying an inferior truck that will quickly lose its value. I decided to spend more money and buy a PreRunner, simply because Toyota builds a much better vehicle than GM.

• 

  BAD GMC - 2003 Toyota Tacoma
  By Mr Toyota - March 30 - 2:00 am

  just bought my 2003 tacoma, traded in a faulty 2000 cheverolet impala. (that was a bad car) so far the truck is simply great, my wife hugged it the other day. "She was happy about loosing the crappy impala too". seats a little too small, clock in wrong place. Seems very solid and well built so far.