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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  Unbeatable Value - 2007 Toyota Corolla
  By Bill - December 8 - 7:53 pm

  Unquestionably the most practical, reliable, efficient gasoline passenger automobile with best resale period. The LE version has everything you need and nothing you dont. Street priced around $3K below sticker, a name brand and very plentiful, it has no meaningful competitor for basic, safe and reliable transportation with lowest total cost of ownership.

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  Dependibility - 1998 Toyota 4Runner
  By Mark Yonke - December 7 - 7:20 pm

  I have spent 32 years in the auto industry on the retail level, and Toyota is the best of the best.They hold their value, and they do not break. My 4-Runner has 90,000 miles on it,and I have replace one set of tires, abattery and the power antenna mast. It still has the original brakes with 80% front and 90% rear linings left. My next vehicle will be the Tundra 4dr Truck.

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  Great, love it - 2008 Toyota Yaris
  By jim - December 7 - 6:26 pm

  I just bought my Yaris 2dr to avoid the high gas prices and am thrilled to date. I have put 800 miles on the vehicle so far and have averaged 35+ mpg in mixed driving (25% city/75% hwy). I am 64", 280 and have more than enough room, actually pretty comfortable for a car in this class. As a matter of fact it is really roomy in front as a friend (my size) and I commuted around the DC area running errands and found it surpisingly comfortable for two guys our size. The Yaris does exactly what I asked of it, great mpg, more than adequate comfort; throw in snappy performance and easy driving and I am thrilled.

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  Its a Truck - 2008 Toyota Tacoma
  By King Zhong - December 7 - 1:10 pm

  I bought the truck in Greenville, SC. Moved 2 kayaks, boating & camping gear, coolers, etc., from our van into the truck at the dealership. My son and I headed off into the NC mountains in search of whitewater. The 4x4 system worked great. The truck had enough room for our 2 week trip. The double doors made the Access cab useful. The cab has great storage areas.

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  Great Little Car - 2003 Toyota MR2 Spyder
  By Boni - December 7 - 2:00 am

  I got mine only 4 months and love. Love it since the day I saw it on the road. Which is very rare to see one. Since I got mine, only seen 2 other times.

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  I like my Echo - 2001 Toyota Echo
  By Caperton - December 7 - 2:00 am

  I have only three complaints: 1) lack of speed control 2) poor lighting of odometer 3) almost invisible light for headlights when on low Otherwise it is fun to drive, economical on the mileage, and surprisingly powerful, given that it is a "plain vanilla" sort of car.

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  My experience - 2004 Toyota Prius
  By cpaman - December 7 - 2:00 am

  I like my car. My milage is "only" 42. Not the 60 but otherwise the car is great Get up and go is fine and I am very comfortable in the car.

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  Bogattis TRD - 2003 Toyota Tundra
  By Bogatti - December 7 - 2:00 am

  This is a great Truck, Dont just get a Ford, like every other weenie. Get a Tundra (this dog will hunt).

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  Good Truck - 2004 Toyota Tundra
  By BMTillman - December 7 - 2:00 am

  I really enjoy the handling and feel of this truck. It rides very smooth and takes bumps like a champ. Very roomy on the inside (reason we got it) everyone is comfortable in the both the front and back. Overall its just an awesome truck. The only negative is it does like gas but if you want economy maybe you shouldnt look at full size trucks their all pretty much the same on gas.

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  Worth doing our home work and buying - 2004 Toyota Camry Solara
  By Ed Weaver - December 7 - 2:00 am

  Traded a 1999 SLE and a 1990 Supra . It is the closest we could get to a well designed, quality coupe with some of the Supra atributes. At 2000 miles all have been verry good. Features we miss, the coin bin or holder, the viser extensions and standard mud flaps, built as part of the body, not the cheep ones also the center brake light in the spoiler. The spoiler that you have to take with the 2004 is a real design joke, it cheepens the car. Over all we are very happy with it. Hoping that the US built one is as good as the Canadan built one.