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:

• 

  CRUIZIN 4 2 - 2003 Toyota MR2 Spyder
  By Arthur - March 6 - 10:50 am

  This is not my daily car, I have a Camry. The MR2 is awesome, great handling, stopping, & gas mileage. Even with spirited driving it still gets an average of 31 mpg. I have problems when I drive because wife or 6 year old son always want to ride in it, do they make one with 3 seats? Just kidding. Also seals great - even in the torrential florida rain this car does not leak, have 2 other relatives who own Miatas. They both said all convertibles leak til I proved them wrong with my Toyota, plus the MR2 has much stiffer chassis less twitching & no rattles, again better that Miatas.

• 

  Toyota quality - 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser
  By John - March 6 - 9:56 am

  Short and sweet. Love it! Go buy now, you will not regret it. I am not an off roader, but i wanted something stylish with 4 wheel drive for the weather and I took some advice and checked out the FJC and fell in love. Superb fit and finish, quality abounds in and out. How many Toyotas are on the road with over 150k on the dial with their owners still smiling? FJC - you will not be sorry. All the best!

• 

  ECHO - 2005 Toyota Echo
  By Mark - March 6 - 9:26 am

  Great little car. Im trying to get another one - with little success.

• 

  Our 06 XLS - 2006 Toyota Avalon
  By Dale - March 6 - 7:56 am

  We are completely impressed with our XLS, it is truly the vehicle for us, the overall performance of the powertrain is superb, we broke it right in with a 2,500 mile trip right after taking delivery of it & it performed "second to none". We are very satisfied with all aspects of the vehicle for the price paid. Who needs a Lexus when the Avalon is available!!

• 

  Exceeds expectations - 2010 Toyota Prius
  By privateIdaho - March 6 - 6:40 am

  This is my first hybrid. Better than I was expecting. Got it primarily for fuel economy for daily commute, part city, part 55-60 mph rural highway (not much freeway miles). Got 57.2 actual mpg on first tank, 58.6 on third and most recent tank, current tank at least that good, display shows 62.4 mpg, but the display is 2 to 3 mpg above actual calculated mpg. Isnt powerful, but once while entering freeway I had to punch it to merge, and it surprised me that it delivered. Im 64" and was worried about feeling squeezed, but it is more roomy and comfortable than I was expecting, but I wouldnt call it spacious. Never need EV mode, as throttle easily controls when its all electric or not.

• 

  The perfect car - 1994 Toyota Camry
  By Bobby M - March 5 - 8:33 am

  I bought this car with 53,000 mi. on it. This car has been very reliable for 189,000 mi. Transmission went out at 189,000 mi. I had a new trans. put in it. This car still drive like a new car. I believe this car can go another 100,000 mi. trouble free. I am completely sold on Toyota.

• 

  Great truck for a horse farm - 2007 Toyota Tundra
  By Norman - March 5 - 2:00 am

  We could not be happier with this truck. Used to haul a 2 horse trailer, an equipment trailer, and to generally carry heavy or bulky stuff around on our small horse farm. Have driven in very hot weather, in deep snow, in heavy rain, and have had no problems at all. Do put on studded snow tires in the winter. Factory tires get great gas mileage but wear quickly. Only complaint is the Toyota standard navigation system, which I find very difficult to use. My other vehicles have Garmin nav, which is far better and a lot less money.

• 

  Is this a great car or what? - 2010 Toyota RAV4
  By rafi - March 5 - 2:00 am

  Best cargo space in its class, lots of useful compartments. Was skeptical of the spare on back and swinging back door - now I love those features, make the car even more practical. Leg room in the second row is impressive. Acceleration is adequate. Gas mileage great if you drive carefully and dont unnecessarily rev up the engine; on a highway when driving not more than 65mph you can easily get 30 mpg. I own mine for 2 months now, I do 50/50 city/highway mix and my average mpg is 28.2, weather and driving conditions were perfect, though - during winter and sweltering summer days I expect the average mpg drop a little, perhaps to 27 not lower. Oil change every 5K instead 3K - like it too.

• 

  Not perfect, but very good overall - 2010 Toyota Corolla
  By Maurice - March 5 - 2:00 am

  Ive had my 2010 S model for a year, and am very happy with it overall. First of all, the gas mileage is awesome. I have a 5 speed, and if the MPG monitor is right, I can get about 38-39 MPG on the highway. I average 35 on a whole tank of gas. The styling is great. Nice aggressive lowering of the front end, and the ground effects and spoiler make it look much better than the standard models. Interior is nice. There is a lot of plastic components. A few negatives, although minor. Could use back seat pockets. The fabric is loosely attached. One issue Ive experienced with the radio is during cold weather, the volume knob will not work. The interior needs to warm up first.

• 

  Awesome - 2006 Toyota Corolla
  By Lisa - March 5 - 1:50 am

  I traded in my Chevy Avalanche for this and am very satisfied. The vehicles braking and acceleration is quick, the inside is young looking. It is sporty and surprisingly roomy. Although it doesnt look roomy from the outside. You have to get inside of this vehicle and test drive it. Do not judge it from the outside like I did. I love it and its reputation and resale value cannot be beat.