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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  2010 Corolla S - 2010 Toyota Corolla
  By Ed - November 14 - 11:33 am

  I am pretty happy. I drove so much that it paid to trade in my other car for one with high MPG. The exterior is an improvement from the previous generation. It also has the XRS odometer. I also got a lifetime powertrain warranty. Its a 100 dollar deductible, but I figure in 5 or 6 years Ill have 200K miles and get a new engine and transmission under warranty.

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  Love this Ride - 2002 Toyota Camry Solara
  By Badjura - November 14 - 10:00 am

  All the reliability of the Camry, all the looks of a sports coupe, and all the luxury of a Lexus. It gets great gas mileage and the 2.4L engine has enough get up and go to satisfy. Big enough back seat to accomodate two adults in comfort and has a large trunk. You will not be disppointed if you choose to buy this car.

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  Reliable, Solid, yet... - 2000 Toyota 4Runner
  By JDBooks - November 14 - 10:00 am

  The 4Runner is solid, but a stiff ride. The interior is more cramped than my old Grand Cherokee but the seats more comfortable. The V6 is adequate for most unless you like power. With a load & passengers, it will seem very slow. No rattles or sqeaks is a tribute to the quality but my pwr antenna went out (warranty) and front floor mat ripped. CD player skips out. Minor problems for what is overall a fine vehicle. Gas mileage is about 14- 15 in town, almost 20 on freeway. Stock Bridgestone tires wear quickly.

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  Toyota Best Buy - 2003 Toyota Tacoma
  By Mr. Staab - November 14 - 10:00 am

  I sold my 89 Toyota after buying my 2oo3 Toyota not because I needed $2500, but because I would never drive it after driving my 2003. The 89 toyota had 125000 miles and never saw a repair or service shop. I performed all service myself, valves,brakes,fuel filters etc. In other words I thought the 89 was the best. The 2003 is 100% better. What more can I say. Toyota is Best!

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  2nd corolla - even better than the first - 2004 Toyota Corolla
  By MonkeysCanBiteU - November 14 - 10:00 am

  This is my second corolla, and I love it. Its better than my 99 in every way. While performance is mediocre, it is an incredibly fun car to drive when mated with the 5-speed transmission. Handles superbly for stock suspension with semi-independent rear. A little more road noise than I would like, but for $14k, I cant complain.

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  Worth the wait...... - 2004 Toyota Corolla
  By 1nyknight - November 14 - 10:00 am

  First time "New Car" buyer. I ordered my 2004 "S" fully loaded w/o side air bags. I have been testing every feature this Corolla comes with and I can say I am very satisfied. This Corolla EATS the roads, hills, straigts, curves!!!!!!!!!

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  Just a little more interior style - 2003 Toyota Camry
  By DonW - November 14 - 10:00 am

  The 02 Camry is a great car, except two areas. The dash/console area and the exhaust system. To give the interior a more appealing look the gear shift console should be an extention of the dash. Also the exhaust system hangs to low. When veiwed form the rear the car appear to have a defect or damaged exhaust system, very unappealling.

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  Our first Toyota, but not our last - 2004 Toyota Sienna
  By The Sone Family - November 14 - 10:00 am

  I have never purchased a minivan or a foreign made auto. We were considering the Honda and the salesman told us to check out the Sienna. We were blown away. Unlimited features and the performance and comfort of any luxury car on the market. We purchased the LE model and havent had one negative thing to sa about the van. To all the men out there who have wives who want a minivan and you are against it. Try the Sienna, it won me over instantly, and Im sure it will do the same for you.

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  Very pleased with my Prius V - 2010 Toyota Prius
  By peter_peter - November 14 - 3:44 am

  Overall, I am very pleased. Looked for months at many different cars (sedans) from BMWs to Acuras to MBZ but the Toyota Prius always stood on my list of options. Averaging between 48-51 mpg, half street and freeways. Perfect commuter car, I fill up my gas tank and spend almost half as compared to my wifes Civic. Nothing wrong with the Civic, but this Toyota has everything. Fully loaded with everything from navi, Bluetooth, leather, cold AC, 17 inch wheels, key-less go and the list goes on. The car does turn on and off when the engine is not needed,nothing major but not something I expected, no big deal. Highly recommend this car to someone who wants something different and gets great mpg.

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  Tire size for replacement HUGE problem - 2008 Toyota Highlander
  By Julie - November 14 - 3:20 am

  When considering this vehicle, dont overlook the cost of replacing the tires! The OEM tires do not hold up, even after proper rotation/balance care. At 33,000 I must replace the tires + there are only 3 tires that exist for this make/model! And two of those rated really low (poor handling, fast wear), which means the remaining choice is extremely hard to find + very expensive. Tires aside, my mileage is 17.5-22 (burbs vs. highway). ok, not great. Cabin noise is quiet, handle, fit + finish is a Toyota ... great! Next car purchase, I will always look at tire size + availability.