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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  05 Tacoma, V6 Double Cab-Great Truck - 2005 Toyota Tacoma
  By Tony Lively - February 2 - 9:23 am

  Ive been looking for MY truck for 40years. Finally they made it. TheToyota Tacoma PreRunner V6 fills all my needs and has extras to spare. Size, holds 5 passengers in comfort, Long Bed is plenty large and I love the tie-downs in tracks with a protected bedliner standard. This truck has power and low-end pull and is at home on the Interstate where it often cruises quietly. Safety is included with 2 SRS front air bags, 3 pt. safety belts, overhead roll cage enforcement, ABS brakes. Ive purchased Toyota Camrys since 1988, 92, 01, and one Corolla for my daughter. The quality in the workmanship and low upkeep, good mileage was enough to make me try my 05 Tacoma. Im glad that I did!

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  One Great Truck! - 2006 Toyota 4Runner
  By ryanmb21 - February 2 - 4:33 am

  Two weeks after buying this 4runner I installed a 3 inch lift and 32" tires the resulting stance is much improved over stocks low nose. I will comment that these trucks are perfect for lifting 2-3 inches as the CV angles up front are in a squatted position. 50K miles later including several off-road trips and snowy jaunts to the mountains this 4runner continues to impress! I love it! All I do is oil changes and never had a problem, 100% recommend!

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  Wow!! I love this little car!! - 2002 Toyota MR2 Spyder
  By Ricky Reed - February 1 - 6:13 am

  Ive now owned this little car for four years now, and I have to say its the best Ive ever owned. Gas mileage - wow! I average 32-36 mpg around town. No repairs, just oil changes. Everybody is still asking me what it is... they think its a Porsche! Hangs curves really well with rear engine. Dont complain about the storage space, cuz its not made for 10 hour vacation trips. Great for touring the countryside, relieving stress, enjoying the scenery. Always turns heads, even a six year old car. Would I sell it? Never!!

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  Toyota Quality - Not Just A Catchphrase - 2015 Toyota 4Runner
  By bobindenver - January 31 - 1:40 pm

  First the obvious - its a Toyota. If you take care of Toyotas they will run forever. My beloved 2002 4Runner Sport had 115K miles on it when I traded it in. The factory battery lasted 11 years. Original exhaust. Burned less than a cup of oil in 3k miles. No rust. You cant ask for much more than that. I decided it was time for that new car smell and traded it in on a 2015 4Runner Trail in Attitude Black Metallic. I got the KDSS suspension and the Entune Upgrade sound/media system. I have not had a chance to test out the KDSS offroad in the mountains yet, but the truck has done very well in snow (as expected) thus far.

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  BeSt Luxury Durable Car - 2000 Toyota Avalon
  By stiv - January 31 - 10:00 am

  never let me down, good transportation, can be a realiable friend too :)

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  Excellent Car for people in their 20s!!! - 2003 Toyota RAV4
  By anarod81 - January 31 - 10:00 am

  Very reliable car. Not a lot of space in the backseat, but nice trunk and very comfy in the front. Because it is only 4 cylinders, car is does not go up steep hills very fast. Not good for racing, but fuel economy is excellent (same as a sedan)!

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  A Great Choice - 2003 Toyota Highlander
  By JoeWino - January 31 - 10:00 am

  We have had 7 Toyota Cars over the years but this is our first Toyota SUV. Handles like a car. Great pick up. very nice features. I expect this one to be around our house a long time. got a great deal from the dealer. Bought it over the internet for 100 over invoice. Fully loaded. Wife is happy so what can I say. We still have a 96 Avalon that runs like the day I bought it only now it has 115,000 on it. The 99 Tacoma is my daughters now and it is still going strong. Great value and you get quite a bit for the money. Plus you get Toyota quality. Go buy one!

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  awesome car - 2004 Toyota Corolla
  By jessy626 - January 31 - 10:00 am

  its an awesome and fun car to drive, definately my first dream car

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  Magnificent - 2004 Toyota Corolla
  By Tatiana - January 31 - 10:00 am

  I had Toyotas all my life and Toyota is dependable, fun to drive and Quality cars and most important they are safe.

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  great car - 2004 Toyota Corolla
  By shdlly7 - January 31 - 10:00 am

  the 2003 corolla has a more attractive body style than in recent years, but thats not what makes this a great car. It has great gas mileage and that helps me out because i drive 80 miles to work and only use up 1/8 of a tank. It has a very smooth ride. The interior in mine is dark grey fabric seating with chrome shift and handles. It just looks smooth.