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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  "Simply The Best" - 2006 Toyota Avalon
  By Dan - January 23 - 10:26 pm

  This is without a doubt the quietest, smoothest riding vehicle I have ever owned. It has excellent power and handling. My daily commute is now a pleasure. I would say this vehicle is comparable to the Lexus LS430 in the aspectd of roominess, ride, quiteness. Appointments, fit & finish are also comparable, but the price is NOT.

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  Satisfied - 2010 Toyota RAV4
  By langi - January 23 - 7:40 pm

  I had a Honda before. I bought the Toyota Rav 4 after a long review and test drive. I am satisfied with all aspects. Only change might be with the motor revving for a short period when starting the 4 cylinder engine. It takes getting accustomed to this. I would recommend the vehicle to anyone commuting or having to take short trips.

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  Two Avalon Family - 2005 Toyota Avalon
  By Dochurt - January 23 - 3:36 pm

  We own a 2000 Avalon, also. It is the best car we have ever owned, including Mazda, BMW and Mercedes. When time came to buy another second car, there was no question that it would be another Avalon. That Toyota redesigned and refined the 2005 Avalon, just made the decision easier. My only complaint with the 2005 model is that Toyota did not use the multi-sun visor system with extension it used in the original Avalon. The original sun visor with extension is superior to what I have in my 2005. Other than that, the 2005 is the perfect car for the highway and town. I especially like being able to control the sound system and drivers side climate control from the steering wheel.

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  Best ever built - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By jimmy - January 23 - 6:56 am

  Bought this Camry new & I gotta say we really really love it, being in the auto body business for 25 years I know what fit & finish really mean & this car for the $$ is well worth the price the safety features & fuel economy aside from the well know for reliability promise the Toyota brand stands for is absolutely a great buy. We plan on keeping this car for a very very long time, been to fla. with it and drives with confidence !

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  Good car - 2010 Toyota Prius
  By David Sobel - January 23 - 5:20 am

  This is a very good car. The key to me is that the car has pickup if you want it, but if you can accelerate more slowly you can get really excellent city mileage, better than 50. It is a bit squeaky. It can be a bit too intoxicating to follow moment by moment how you are doing gas mileage wise. Other cars around you will be grumpy if you accelerate slowly enough to maximize your mileage. The car gets less good mileage in cold weather, but this is true of all.

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  HIghly disappointed. - 2009 Toyota Tacoma
  By steve3003 - January 22 - 11:46 pm

  I WAS excited about my new truck. Then the following things happened, in no particular order: I realized JUST HOW SHORT the bed was. My Transmission slipped-- repeatedly. My radio turned off... and on... and off... I learned that the 4.0 V-6 power is a lightweight, and tediously boring to drive. (Even when the transmission does what its supposed to. I learned that a slow, boring engine can STILL only get 18 MPG. I learned that there actually are $30,000.00 vehicles today without intermittent wipers. I learned that there actually are $30,000.00 vehicles today without remote entry. I learned that I should have kept my Dakota. Toyota-- you can do better.

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  Pratical yet fun - 2009 Toyota Matrix
  By Toyotalover4eva - January 22 - 10:23 pm

  I recently traded in my 04 4runner sport for this car. During my car hunt, my biggest concern was the mpg so, I searched for a gas saver but didnt want to sacrifice looks and performance. I ended up with two choices, the jetta wolfsburg and the matrix. I ended up with the matrix given it was more reliable, cheaper on insurance and not too pricey to maintain. Overall I am satisfied with my decision. The looks are awesome both inside and out. Im kinda disappointed with such a small fuel tank. I mean, Im saving gas but finding myself filling up more often. I also think the ride is so-so. I dont know if its just me but I feel every bump on the road which can get annoying but I can deal with it

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  Transmission Hesitates Dangerously - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By neil1aa - January 22 - 7:16 am

  At 40 mph speed and above if you need a sudden acceleration (such as in a merge situation, at times) the car doesnt respond! It takes several attempts to do so. At some scenarios, this might cause severe injuries or even death! Dealer recalibrated ECU, engine and transmission. Improvement was negligible. Dealer offered to recheck the car again. Test drove identical camry at a different dealer; transmission reacts same way... it hesitates at 40 mph or over! Otherwise, the car is really a great car.

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  My First Toyota - 2006 Toyota Avalon
  By nupe1493 - January 22 - 5:03 am

  I bought this car after the birth of my son. I wanted a good car that would last 10 yrs. and hold its value. IÂ’m usually a sport car/sedan kind of guy so this was a big leap for me. I have been pleasantly pleased with the cars overall character. I love the interior space and omission of unnecessary features. I added an aftermarket wood grain kit that covers the entire dash in the factory wood trip. The car now looks a lot more luxurious. My main concern is the appearance of squeaks and rattles. I would not expect this on a Toyota, especially one in this price range.

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  Fundra! - 2008 Toyota Tundra
  By Randy - January 22 - 4:20 am

  I did a lot of research and read many reviews before buying. Many complained about mileage, I have been getting 17.5 mpg on average with "mostly" responsible city driving. For a large v8 truck I feel that is great. The fuel guage drops quickly from full but slows as the level gets lower, and like every other review, when the light comes on there is 4-6 gallons left. The truck is very quiet inside and comfortable with ample room and storage. A/C and radio controls seem far away, the grade radio is less than desireable. Tow mirrors are good but add minor wind noise. Overall I am extremely happy. Its not a super duty, but its an excellent truck and fun too.