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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  Great Car! - 1997 Toyota Corolla
  By Chrissie - February 28 - 10:00 am

  I bought my 1997 Corolla when I turned 16, as a first car. Ive put that car through a lot of abuse (rare oil changes, squealing tires, etc.) and Ive never had a bad problem with it. Its held up beautifully. I was even rear-ended by a brand new Cadillac, and the Cadillac was totaled, and my Corolla had a slight scratch on the rear bumper...it was amazing. While its not the most fancy car, its certainly the most reliable, well built, and all around practical car. I highly reccomend the Corolla, especially as a first car, because it holds up so well, and needs little to no matinence.

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  I loved my little Corolla! - 2000 Toyota Corolla
  By Claybirdie - February 28 - 10:00 am

  I had my little Corolla for almost 3 years. It was the first car I ever bought and I loved it. It was very reliable and got great mileage. There was a lot of space for such a small car. It handled pretty well and came with a lot of little conveniences which really helped. I drove that car everywhere and never worried about it. It wasnt fancy but it sure got the job done! I just traded it in last week for a Celica (which I am loving too!).

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  Good everyday Car! - 2001 Toyota Corolla
  By JB507 - February 28 - 10:00 am

  Fun to drive in a stick.. really zips around! Quick, reliable, good on gas .. Bumpy, noisy, small .. but youre not buying a Lexus. Its a little expensive for its size, but your paying for the Toyota name (and assumed quality). Its scary to think that for not alot more money, a Camery isnt to far away. Brakes have gotten progressivly more spongey as Ive driven it (28k as of now) .. Oh yeah .. I got rear ended twice (once pretty hard) .. zero damage except scrapes. If you change your own oil, the filter is hard to get at and messy to remove.

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  Yes Sir, I Like It! - 2003 Toyota Matrix
  By fldnyc - February 28 - 10:00 am

  I love the versatility of the car. I really like its looks, and theres plenty of room. For the money, what a great car.

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  Tough Little Vehicle - 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
  By Tulip - February 28 - 4:40 am

  This is one tough little vehicle. It got us to our destination thru Hurricane Rita with peace of mind (we are talking about 24+ hours driving time). Thats with 6 animals and 2 kids and myself in tow. Its reliable, comfortable and efficient. My only complaint is that it doesnt have a rear air conditioning unit for the riders in the back seats and the cup-holders in the front are kind of lame. Other than that, I love it!

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  I love this car! - 2000 Toyota 4Runner
  By Veronica - February 28 - 3:00 am

  Ive had this car for almost eight years. I have never, ever had a problem. I just take it in for regular oil changes and have done the 30K, 60K, and 90K maintenance. The only flaws in this car are cosmetic and were my own doing. I live in Oklahoma and have driven it to Las Vegas, New Orleans, the Texas coast, Rocky mountains in Colorado, and back and forth to Kansas hundreds of times. The fuel economy is reasonable given the size of the vehicle. I will have a hard time giving her up.

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  Outstanding Car - 2001 Toyota Prius
  By drdmoore - February 27 - 8:50 pm

  I bought this car used with 15,000 miles and have put 5,000 miles on it in 2 months. This is an outstanding car. It rides like a much larger vehicle and is "substantial" in it feel. Im averaging between 46-52 miles/gallon on mostly highway driving. I recommend this car highly!

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  Venza Frenzy - 2010 Toyota Venza
  By RBScott - February 27 - 8:30 am

  We purchased a Venza because of the way the body style looked, very sporty and doesnt look like a box. After driving it we were very pleased. It is very roomy, I am 64" and I had plenty of leg room, and it handles great. Acceleration is better than expected. We are satisfied with the interior style and its features. It has a very comfortable ride(doesnt ride like a truck)

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  My Skunk Rocks! - 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser
  By TJ - February 27 - 4:23 am

  Because of the Black and White color, we affectionatly call my new FJ "The Skunk". Cant wait for the new "LE PEW" license plate to arrive. We strapped five bicycles to the outside and drove from Florida to North Carolina for a bike race. Comfortable and handled like a charm. Drove 80 on the highway and got 19-20 mph, even with the bikes! Once there, we went off road and did all sorts of climbing on back roads with no trouble at all. Actually, the ride is so smooth on the road I got stopped by the police doing 60 in a 45 without realizing it. (Luckily got off with a warning)

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  Very Happy - 2007 Toyota Prius
  By Angela - February 26 - 11:46 pm

  Purchased the car Toyota Certified w/50,000 miles. I have put 10,000 on it since. The car has been surprisingly good. I was really afraid to make this purchase after reading some reviews but I am really glad I did. I have had no trouble at all, scheduled maintenance is minimal and I LOVE the gas mileage. Keep in mind it is a small economical car but loaded out nicely it is great going down the road.