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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  Had a 2001 Sequoia SR5, time to upgrade - 2008 Toyota Sequoia
  By jd08limited - November 11 - 5:20 am

  Had a 01 Sequoia SR5 and loved it, but wanted to upgrade to the limited. Drove an 07 and then the 08 and that was it, we were sold. The power difference, ride control, steering feel, and did I say power difference was night and day. Once we saw the fold flat 2nd & 3rd row seats, we knew we had to get it as we hated to have to always take out and put back the 3rd row seats from our first Sequoia.

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  Coolest Car EVER!! - 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
  By Lisa - November 11 - 4:53 am

  Im from Denver and weve had tons of snow this winter. I have wrung my car thru the ringer to give it a good "test" and it has done every thing Ive asked it to with ease and grace! In addition to the awesome AWD, the ride is smooth, the interior is comfy, and theres tons of horsepower. My low MPG was 22 (85 mph on I-70 in 100 degree heat) and my high was 29 (being a really good girl on the throttle). MPG drops substantially when its very cold out. Best MPG seems to be city highways with heavy traffic. I wouldnt trade this car for anything else on the road - unless of course it was something real expensive so I could sell it and buy 2 Highlander Hybrids.

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  Persona Prius C - 2016 Toyota Prius c
  By Ulyses Villasin - November 11 - 2:08 am

  Great car and reliable for city driving!!!!

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  Camry Bye, Bye - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By MANDK - November 10 - 11:51 am

  We purchased our 2007 Camry LE new. We were so excited to purchase a "Toyota." Right from the start, we have had nothing but trouble, recalls, unsupported recalls (engine oil burning), and cruddy dealer care. Our car currently sits with the wonderful melting Toyota dashboard; weve been waiting for 8 months for the dealer to replace it (another recall). We think weve had 9-10 recalls. What a joke! Sinc e 75,000, the engine has been burning oil. At about 105,000, it started slurping 3 qts, every 5,000, and this continues to date. Toyota was ridiculous about the piston ring recall that was supposed to address the oil slurping. They put us and others through a bunch of junk and then deny the repair. That and the melting dashboard were the last straws for us. We take meticulous care of our vehicles and drive them very judiciously. In 45 years of car ownership, we have never owned a car with this much trouble and this level of lousy customer care. No more Toyota for us. We definitely got bamboozled on the Cam-Ray! In our estimation, it is a highly over-rated car. We cannot wait to get rid of it. We will hope for the best with another brand.

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  I Love my Camry - 2005 Toyota Camry
  By Meg - November 10 - 11:46 am

  I love my new camry. My one and only complaint is do NOT have a sunroof installed after market. Only buy with a "Toyota" brand sunroof. Toyota installed a sunroof aftermarket for me and they cannot service it. Thats a problem I was not aware of when I bought my car.

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  Review - 2006 Toyota Matrix
  By jimmydog - November 10 - 4:20 am

  A good car. Will pass when I want too. has room for my long legs and large frame. mileage is in the high thirtys and above all has room in back for a big labrador retriever.

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  Irritating issues make this a 6.0 - 2008 Toyota RAV4
  By Kevin - November 10 - 2:50 am

  This is my first Toyota, after years of Ford ownership. Ill be going back to Ford as their build quality and value for money are better. I like the fuel economy, load capacity and power, but the body styling is awful, the radio is tinny and cheap, the tires didnt last and the traction control is absolutely awful - when all four wheels are spinning (like when youre stuck in snow), the TC cuts power to the engine meaning you cant "bully" your way out of the snow. I need chains to get out of my own driveway! My Ford Escape had no problems at all in the snow. Overall this gets a 6.0 and Ill not look at Toyota again.

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  Living on the Edge - 2010 Toyota Camry
  By Allan - November 9 - 11:33 pm

  Over-all a good-looking and good riding car with ample room for a long- legged driver. Enjoying the leather seating and plenty of storage and ample head-room. The color is very pleasing to the eye (aloe green) with many compliments on the color and styling of the car. Rear seat head- rests in the XLE are over-sized (in my opinion) and as such found them to restrict viewing through rear window when backing up.

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  My Toyota - 2001 Toyota 4Runner
  By Darci - November 9 - 11:10 pm

  Great truck! Fun to drive.

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  Dream Car Review - 2006 Toyota Avalon
  By Frank - November 9 - 10:36 pm

  This is the first automobile that I have ever owned that exceeded all of my expectations. It is a real pleasure to drive. The ride is smooth, no wind noise, the power is awesome, road noise is very low, and the interior is great looking. Gas mileage is great for a car with 280 horsepower. Interior room is more than adequate, and the seats are very comfortable.