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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  Get what you pay for - 2015 Toyota Camry
  By carlover78 - December 20 - 8:48 pm

  I am a happy owner of a 2015 Camry XSE just love this car. Never once been disappointed with my Camry a beauty on wheels and steal of a deal absolutely the best ever purchased. The Camry has solid ride gives enough performance the four cylinder better than six-cylinder gets good fuel economy. It got every available option includes sunroof and spoiler love the stylish looks of the Camry. Overall being its a Toyota havent pay too much but worth $34K, getting this car wouldnt dare compare to others. Got nice standard equipment its worth everything couldnt ask more for vehicle as the Camry nice interior supported seats and comfort of enough spacious.

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  Fir and Finish - 2011 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By jettrink - December 20 - 11:23 am

  Just bought the 2011 hybrid with most of the bells and whistles including nav. Had read reviews of other years disparaging the fit and finish of the interior of this car. Maybe other years were sub par, but my Camry is impeccable. It is tight and polished and the leather upholstery looks like something out of a Rolls Royce. I consider this car one of the best values of any vehicle on the road -- and socially responsible, too!

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  Glad I bought mine when I did - 2003 Toyota Prius
  By jack - December 20 - 10:03 am

  Very comfortable drivers seat.

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  Great looking Car - 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By Bones39 - December 19 - 11:20 pm

  Great handling, tight turning , mileage is awesome, better than the Sequoia ever thought of. Pickup is superb and quick, you will have to hold on have averaged 35 mpg with it. All the gauges tell different things but still mileage is great.

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  Buy one today!!! - 2008 Toyota Yaris
  By SUNFUSIONFJ - December 19 - 6:23 pm

  This car is the total package. Excellent mpg (41 in the WV mountains), great visibility, great driver position, comfortable seats, well placed controls and gauges, plenty of torque, smooth ride, lots of rear seat room with the back seat slid back, and oh so cute. I am 64" and 280lbs and I have more leg, head, and hip room than I need. It hugs the curves so well that you will go much faster than you should. I have owned SUVs that cost triple and I didnt like them as much. You better buy one now before the price skyrockets.

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  I love this car, best Ive ever had - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By josh45 - December 19 - 3:30 pm

  This is hands down one of the best cars Ive had in a long time. It has high quality amazing ride and the fit and finish is great. Kudos to Toyota, they did good.

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  MR2 Spyder (2003) - 2003 Toyota MR2 Spyder
  By Teninthepit - December 19 - 10:00 am

  I love this car! People talegate sometimes because they are not sure what make/model it is. When the car is not moving and people are able to ask about the car they are usually surprised it is a Toyota! (It looks similar to the Porche Boxter.) When it is parked, people come right up and ask questions about the car. Despite being low priced, it is a rare car. It is very quick to accelerate due to the weight/power ratio and it gets 35 mpg!

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  Not only for young drivers - 2001 Toyota Echo
  By fishinguy - December 19 - 10:00 am

  I bought my Echo after measuring the ground-to-seat height, and finding it similar to my elderly fathers favorite chair, the one he could most easily use. The law of gravity aided his descent into his own car, but getting out of it was another matter. After 6 months his health and strength improved. The "master plan" was to then sell the Echo, but Id grown very fond of it, enjoy driving it, and also appreciate the ease of access and superior side visibility for viewing scenery. The variable valve timing makes this little 1.5 liter engine seem peppy. I plan to keep my Echo forever, and I expect no problems for quite a long time.

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  Convertible Solara - 2003 Toyota Camry Solara
  By Rigachigal - December 19 - 10:00 am

  My Solara drives the smoothest of any car Ive ever driven. I think it is a gorgeous car and I love to drive around in it, its lots of fun! Ive owned it for a little over a year and so far it hasnt given me any problems at all. Theres no other car I would rather own!

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  Gotta Drive a Solara! - 2000 Toyota Camry Solara
  By Sport Broom - December 19 - 10:00 am

  The Solara is truly an amazing car to own and drive.It runs quietly and smoothly.It is very reliable and dependable.I got my 2000 brand new,now have 42,000 miles and never had any problems with it.With regular check-up amd maintenance, everythings still original.We loved it so much that we also bought a 2001 Solara for my husband.We are happy with our Solaras!