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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  Love This Truck - 2011 Toyota Tundra
  By campingfool - June 8 - 9:09 pm

  I bought this truck new in 2007 after driving a few of the competitors and decided to go with Toyota because of its known reliability and large towing capacity. I had an accident a month after owning the truck and it still drive the same after repair. I bought a 10,000 pound 5th wheel and have hauled it to Yellowstone and the Appalachian Mountains with no problems. Sure gas mileage stinks while hauling (8-10mpg) but it’s a truck. While my comrades pull their trailers and start complaining their transmissions are getting hot mine doesnt even flinch. I hope this review helps eliminates any doubts about buying this truck. I also dont notice a jitter but Im not a professional reviewer.

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  THE BEST HIGHLANDER TO BOOT! - 2017 Toyota Highlander
  By Ben Richards - June 8 - 8:45 pm

  The 2017 redesigned Highlander is the best SUV on the market. It still retains the luxury SUV feel and comfort, all while bringing in new and improved upgrades! The new upgrades to the transmission makes stressful driving a thing of the past, with its comfortable shifting, cruising when you need it and power when you really need to step on it and put the pedal to the floor! And let me tell you, this baby has 5 USB ports! Who needs 5 USB ports you ask? Any family where the kiddos need to be constantly attached to their devices, thats who! That is genius on Toyotas part, now I dont have to listen to my kids complain and moan while we are all in the car. All I have to do is plug them in and they shut up for hours! I wouldnt consider anything other than the brand new 2017 Highlander, it has comfort, luxury, and power! I dont know what that other guy was talking about, if he really drove a Highlander he would know that everything pales in comparision to this beast of a machine! Plus, its got black tires, and who doesnt love that?

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  Best in class - 2006 Toyota Tacoma
  By taco - June 8 - 5:23 pm

  This has been the best truck I have ever owned. It will out 4by any other truck, and out last as well. Has great style, and comfortable for a 4x4 truck

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  The best car in the world!!! - 2005 Toyota Celica
  By michelle - June 8 - 12:26 pm

  I love my Toyota Celica GTS. I think that its the best car I have ever had and I have had a lot. The Celica is like no other car i have ever seen. The Celica looks like a high price car but it isnt!! I have no problems with the car, I love everything about it.

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  A league of its own - 2007 Toyota Tundra
  By Tom B - June 8 - 10:40 am

  I paper-compared all 5 full-size mfgs and narrowed down to Chevy and Toyota. Toyota still was the no-brainer. Why buy a 16 valve, push rod V8 with 315 HP when you can have 32 valves amd 381 HP. Also, rear disc brakes, 6 speed tranny and an interior big enough for hide-and-seek. The SR5 package, to me, rides like a Lexus. The 6 speed tranny is almost anticlimactic as it is so smooth: it feels like a 1 speed. This truck will turn tighter than my 1992 x- cab Tundra. Fuel mileage is dead-on 18 mpg as rated, however, I drive 28 mi of a 30 mile commute on the interstate. Even with the 4.30 rear diff. gears this truck turns only 1900 rpm at 70 mph.

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  2007 Camry v6 XLE - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By clozer1 - June 8 - 8:54 am

  I sell cars for a living and have for the last 40 years. In the 80s it was all honda, nothing else measured up. Now I sell Toyotas. I never purchase new because of the depreciation. I am purchasing a used 2007 Toyota Camry, one owner with 149000 miles on it. The car is brand new inside and out and themileage doesnt bother me at all. It has been checked out by a master Toyota Technician and I am not scared at all because of the miles. People who look at a car and back off of it because of mileage are missing the boat when it comes to a good deal on a valuable piece of merchandise. Toyota is the Manufacturer of the last decade with fit and finish and value. Don,t be afraid to buy one.

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  Owner - 2005 Toyota Corolla
  By wisegazer - June 8 - 4:33 am

  Excellent compact car, reliable and with the comfort of a bigger car. Trunk space is great. Other than gas, regular oil change and tire rotation nothing has been required.

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  Rav4=No worries - 2002 Toyota RAV4
  By FunSmart - June 7 - 3:30 pm

  We I was looking for a car I back in 2006 grabbed the consumer report and this car showed the best rating of all (not only small SUV). I bought it used and through these years (today 2010) I have confirmed day by day that the reports were true. The Rav4 is spacious (you can easily remove the back seats) for cargo and passengers. The spare tire gives the sporty "Jeepy" look and unlike other cars there is no sacrifice of space to accommodate the tire inside the vehicle, so all that space left is yours to fill. Thanks to this the height of the base of the trunk is at or below your needs. Just go and compare this with other cars, you will find they are much higher.

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  Quiet Ride - 2008 Toyota Camry Solara
  By Kiko - June 7 - 11:43 am

  Everything about the car is above average except 2 things. Pros: 1) Quiet and comfortable ride. 2) Comfortably seats 4 passengers including the driver. 3) Hybrid between a luxry sedan and a convertible so you have best of both worlds. Cons: 1) Navigation system was a bit disappointing. It does not speak the street names like the Garmin nuvi series. 2) Need more power as not very responsive when you hit the gas pedal. 3) Rear view limited when backing up.

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  A Grand Car - 2008 Toyota Avalon
  By jguen123@comcast.net - June 7 - 6:53 am

  Everything about this car (XL 2008) is tops. Ride, power, omfort, handling, interior, sound system is excellent. Build quality is great. Looks and feels superb. Although it is a large car it handles beautifully. If you are thinking about this car, put your worries to rest. You cannot go wrong with this one. I stayed at the bottom of the line with an XL and am not sorry I did. It has everything you need to arrive in style.