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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  Dont Have a Fender Bender! - 2007 Toyota Yaris
  By Broken hearted - June 7 - 5:23 am

  I rear-ended another vehicle that left a dent on their bumper and did $3500 damage to my Yaris! Why so fragile? And the airbag didnt even go off. I love the car. I put the back seat down and use the hatchback/space like its a pickup truck for building and garden supplies, etc. Its amazing what you can get in that little car. My manual transmission and reasonable driving practices result in >40 mpg IN TOWN! I love this car, I just wish it werent so fragile.

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  Pleased Tundra owner - 2006 Toyota Tundra
  By B. Maz - June 7 - 4:16 am

  After having many chevy/gmc trucks, I was ready to get a truck I wouldnt be disappointed with. My SR5/TRD has been a pleasure to own & fun to drive. I look forward to the next time I have to drive somewhere. Having the tow package w/ 4.10 gears & the transmission oil cooler allows me to feel very confident that its capable to handle any task the domestic trucks will do. With that in mind, the gear setting is also why I dont get good gas mileage(& I have a heavy right foot, LOVE the power). To sum things up, I wanted a smaller truck with full size capabilities & found it in the 06 Toyota TUNDRA SR5 access cab w/ TRD Off Road.

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  Engine Dissatisfaction - 2003 Toyota Camry
  By Charles - June 7 - 12:30 am

  Overall, Im happy with the performance of this vehicle. One thing that Im not too happy about is the vibration/shaking of the engine when Im stepping on my breaks and slowing down or going in reverse immediately after I turned the engine on. My car is still under warranty and Its been to the dealer several times for this problem. Every time they keep telling me that everything seems to be running OK when it is not. They just dont get it! They dont seem to want to spend the time troubleshooting the problem because it costs them money and they feel that its a waist of time. So, I keep going back hoping that they resolve the problem. Hopefully, I gave you a descent summary of my problem.

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  Great run around car - 2009 Toyota Corolla
  By Don - June 6 - 8:46 pm

  Purchased car to save mileage, have SUV for winter time, needed car to run errands. 10,000 miles and getting 35 mpg still. Great on 2 hr road trips. Comfortable and easy to park downtown or at mall.

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  Soar with a Solara convertible - 2006 Toyota Camry Solara
  By jaz - June 6 - 8:00 pm

  Toyota creates fun and class all in one vehicle. Strangers at the mall, gas station, and stop light still admire and ask questions about my blue with cream colored top and interior vehicle. My cousin from Houston visited, drove my car, and went home to buy her own blue w/black and grey Solara. Exceptional quality, design - no road noise!, and great gas mileage combine to make going to work fun! I love my Toyota!

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  Love my spyder - 2005 Toyota MR2 Spyder
  By ilse72 - June 6 - 10:33 am

  This is a fun, sporty little car with lots of energy and easy maneuverability. It has proven to be extremely reliable and, best of all, it is easy on gas.

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  Great Car - 2003 Toyota Camry
  By lennylg - June 6 - 10:18 am

  I had a 2003 Camry that my mother bought brand new. Im upset, I totalled the car on ice. It had 95,000 miles on it. I got it with 30,000 miles on it. I never fixed a thing. I so hoped to take it to 200,000 miles.

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  Prius: Engineering at its finest. - 2005 Toyota Prius
  By Boyd - June 6 - 4:53 am

  You have heard of the Shinkensen....the Bullet train? Well the same minds, somewhat further advanced from that technology, have produced a vehicle of exquisite refinement. Other cars I now own are the Volvo 850, Infiniti 35FX, and Porsch Boxster. All fine vehicles, but this one excels from the point of near-perfection and driving pleasure. I Would have bought it if it only got 20 mph after my test drive; but at 47mpg... hot damn! Negative is the rear bumpers which are scratchable in parking dings. Overall, a perfect 9.5 from me.

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  New Toy on Road - 2005 Toyota Tacoma
  By Jans Toy - June 5 - 10:46 pm

  A woman whos never owned a truck before had little to compare her new toy with. Though she drove in many trucks and really disliked them. Most of them felt like a truck. Bouncy and uncomfortable. But the new 2005 Toyota Tacoma comfort is more like riding in a car. Could be because of the new suspension this year. The 4 wheel drive is automatic and that is a plus for us women. Had a guy from work check it out and he is impressed with the horsepower and the V6 4.0L engine. So this truck is a plus for men too. Cant wait until the engine is broke in to go playing. Check it out!!!

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  Part of the solution - 2006 Toyota Prius
  By Pip - June 5 - 10:16 pm

  Coolest car on the road! I got the white with tan leather, package #8. Traded my Lexus LS 430 for it and have no regrets, only praise and Ill be dumping 2 and a half tons less CO2 per year.