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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  Heaven - 2003 Toyota Sequoia
  By G. Baby - November 30 - 2:00 am

  We owned a 2001 Yukon XL 1500 before this and it could not compare to toyota quality.

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  This is a tank - 1995 Toyota 4Runner
  By Luka - November 30 - 2:00 am

  I purchased this 4 Runner wreaked in the front left end and rebuilt it. It took a lick and fixed up real good. Solid car. Not a tire spinner, but good all round reliability. Nothing more than general maintenance on the car with no repercussions of the previous wreak. Change the oil and go.

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  Great H.S or College Car - 1996 Toyota Corolla
  By TG - November 30 - 2:00 am

  This car has given me only one worry and that was a fault starter after I owned the car for 5 years. Great car to have in college you just have to add gas and change the oil!!

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  A great car to drive - 1997 Toyota RAV4
  By Felicia - November 30 - 2:00 am

  I have been driving it for more than a year and it hasnt given me a single problem. It a great car for travelling as well great storage space.

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  Not Bad - 1999 Toyota Corolla
  By NOS2006 - November 30 - 2:00 am

  hey everyone. my mom has this car in an automatic and im always complaining because it is too slow and not sporty enough but overall this car is pretty fun to drive. i have a lead foot all the time and love racing other people even though i usually loose, but i have one a few as well. this car sounds alright at high rpm. great family car and everyday driver. stereo wasnt bad untill i blew out 1 of our rear speakers. nice handling and overall good car.

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  Not Bad - 1999 Toyota Corolla
  By nos2006 - November 30 - 2:00 am

  hey everyone. my mom has this car in an automatic and im always complaining because it is too slow and not sporty enough but overall this car is pretty fun to drive. i have a lead foot all the time and love racing other people even though i usually loose, but i have one a few as well. this car sounds alright at high rpm. great family car and everyday driver. stereo wasnt bad untill i blew out 1 of our rear speakers. nice handling and overall good car.

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  Ill like it - 2003 Toyota Avalon
  By yakinf - November 30 - 2:00 am

  I traded my 1996 Avalon XLS with 2003 Avalon XLS over the weekend. I think I made the right decision to go buy Toyota again. My old Avalon has been given me alot of fun and free of problem in the last couple years, but the new one is impress me more. I like the interior, the ride and the softness smooth driving experience. Even my wife likes it alot. She is very hard to convince and usually she will not like what I had bought in the past for her( I bought a 1999 Dodge Caravan brand new, but she just didnt like the car at all). But this time she just seems like it more than I do. Perfect 10 for avalon.

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  Fun to drive but under powered - 2003 Toyota RAV4
  By x-cpwrguy-99 - November 30 - 2:00 am

  I considered a Honda CRx and the Rav4. I bought the RAV4 because of the better looks and handling. They both need more power. My 1993 Honda prelude SI is much quicker, with 160 vs 148 on the Rav4. Mileage is about the same 23 overall. The RAV4 is much more comfortable and has 4 wheel drive, needed in WI in the winter.

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  2002 Toyota Tacoma Prerunner - 2003 Toyota Tacoma
  By dj-luv - November 30 - 2:00 am

  Turned in a 4-runner to get this Tacoma prerunner Limited. I like the way it drives better than the 4-runner, more power! The 3.4 L V6 is a lot of fun to drive. A good looking truck at high price. Love the TRD off-road package.

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  This vehicle could be better built. - 2003 Toyota Corolla
  By C Foltz - November 30 - 2:00 am

  I have owned this vehicle for a little over a month now. On 2 seperate occasions I had to put the vehicle into the body shop to repair the doors due to dents received from vehicles parking next to me. Its probably due to the vehicle being so low to the ground. The body side moldings do not protect the vehicle. What the vehicle needs is dent resistant panels on the doors like the saturn vehicle has. ( I did not know this until afterI bought this vehicle. I am sorry I did not buy a saturn ).