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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  fun and practical - 2003 Toyota Matrix
  By AJ - December 21 - 9:00 am

  Ive had this car for two years now. im pushing 100,000 miles. my dad bought this car and then i bought it from him. we have never had a single mechanical failure. this car has been in 8 accidents and will refuse to be totaled. the best part is the fuel economy mixed with the fun to drive factor. its low to the ground with stiff independent front and rear suspension. its almost too low though. ive scraped on anything from parking blocks to speed bumps. Very fun to drive and very upgradable. it only has 13hp stock but with a little tuning and performance parts it is now pushing an easy 200hp. not good pickup at low end but it makes up for it on the top of the rpm. perfect for a first car

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  Saving the Planet - 2003 Toyota Corolla
  By Bryan - December 20 - 5:13 pm

  Bought the car used earlier this year. No problems with it at all so far. Drives so nice and quiet on the expressway, even more quiet than luxury cars that I have driven. I am 62 and the car has more than enough head room for me. It feels great to drive a car that gets 40mpg on the highway when there is so much drama about gas prices.

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  You dont buy this car for fun/looks... - 2008 Toyota Corolla
  By patsrule5412 - December 20 - 4:20 pm

  I have had this car for about 2 years now, and overall I think Toyota makes decent cars, but this car is kind of overhyped a bit. It gets great gas mileage and I love it for that, but the seating position is a bit awkward (you get used to it) and it feels like an economy car, nothing more. The looks...well, calling this car even remotely "sporty" does not work. The ride on the highway isnt too bad, but to me its a little too loud, at least louder than I expected, and I can feel some vibration which can get on your nerves. Overall its a decent car, and I dont mean to sound so negative about its looks, but hey, you buy it for reliability and mileage, Im just not flat on the floor impressed.

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  love it - 2006 Toyota Corolla
  By michelle - December 20 - 4:00 pm

  I really love this car! I was afraid that it would be to small for my family so I decided to take my whole family of 5 to the dealership so we could all test drive it. We all fit comfortably. The trunk space was much bigger than i thought it was going to be. I researched many cars before making my choice and I am very happy with my choice.

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  SR5 issues - 2005 Toyota Sequoia
  By Jeff - December 20 - 1:43 pm

  I ALWAYS wanted one, so I took the plunge. So far, the car has been a disappointment, but only due to small problems. These issues have included interior leather defects, headliner replacement, some minor body damage noticed at purchase, and a popping noise resulting from servos that "click" on at 25-30 mph which activate the VDSC system. This "click" sometimes feeds over into the audio system causing a "pop" in the speakers. The "click" is normal, but the "pop" is not. The dealer has been great with customer service and has always provided me with a vehicle while the Sequoia is in the shop. Evidently, the 05s & 06s have had more complaints about "weird" noises than any year model.

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  98 Toyota Corolla LE Sedan - 1998 Toyota Corolla
  By Jack - December 20 - 9:23 am

  Has been a very good running and driving car. Maintenance has been nil. A little more power in engine would help it in climbing mountains. However, very seldom driven in mountains.

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  Hot Prius - 2006 Toyota Prius
  By Hawqis1 - December 20 - 8:50 am

  When I first test drove the Prius, it had this noticible drag to it. This was due to the regenerative braking system. I looked at the onboard displays and knew this was the car for me. Right now, thanks to the electric part of the car, I am getting almost 70 mpg. I cant say anything wrong about my car. the milage at the start of the fill is up to 160 without losing fuel. What a car! I like paying for gas, once in a while, not every week.

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  Best small car - 2008 Toyota Yaris
  By Smitty - December 20 - 5:40 am

  I drive 60 miles to work. My chevy truck gets 15 mpg. Gas prices drove me to the small car and Edmunds reviews by others made my choice for the Yaris. First fillup 38.1 mpg, next fillup 37.9 mpg next was 40.7 mpg. I drive 60 miles work 5 lights hwy driving. I am 6ft 3in plenty headroom sedan 4 door. Fun to drive, plenty trunk room automatic shifts great.

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  solid little car - 2009 Toyota Matrix
  By Martin Hanish - December 20 - 2:26 am

  We bought our Matrix early in January and have already put a few thousand miles on it. the conditions here in Maine have been tough - lots of snow, ice, temperatures down near zero. The Matrix has performed extremely well under all conditions. It is a safe, dependable little car.

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  After 165000 - 1996 Toyota Avalon
  By DanielJarrett - December 20 - 2:00 am

  I purchased the vehicle used at 60k miles. After driving it for another 100k miles, I have not had any repairs to make. Many opportunities at routine maintenance (oil, brake pads, tires, timing...). The interior has held up and does not rattle and nor has begun to deteriorate as my previous Buick Le Sabre did at 80k miles (could stand driving it any longer). The words I would used to describe this vehicle is reliable and competent. It does not stand out in any automotive driving category, but simply does all well. The vehicle will also hold three full size car seats in the rear.