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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  Best REAL SUV out there - 2014 Toyota 4Runner
  By ghost1214 - October 30 - 8:13 am

  Bought the 4 Runner LTD 4x4 after considering the Jeep Grand Cherokee. Read so many many bad things about the jeep I got scared and decided not to purchase it. The Runner is the BEST. Reliable, rugged, 2 year service, excellent off round/snow and very good on highway. The only thing I can say is "oh what a feeling". I love the interior with the black leather. I went to a wedding with it and everyone raved about the SUV.

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  Should have purchased a Rav4 a long time ago. - 2016 Toyota RAV4
  By john Jacoby - October 29 - 8:29 pm

  The vehicle grows on me every time I drive it. I love the styling, the performance and the overall comfort. The rear seats recline which is nice for my grandsons when we are returning from skiing. Sport mode is quicker, but I have found the performance in Eco mode more than adequate. I am averaging about 26mpg and I use the gas pedal freely. The entertainment/navigation has a fairly sharp learning curve, but the dealership employs a guy to come to your house and show you exactly how to use it and once you learn to operate the navigation it works great! If you want a sportier SUV then maybe this is not for you, but I will trade a little sportiness for a quiet, comfortable ride all day long. I would have bought the LE but I like Alloy wheels which were not available on the LE, but it turns out I like the features that come with the XLE a lot!

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  Fun car, smooth ride, roomy - 2008 Toyota Camry Solara
  By tkoz - October 29 - 5:03 pm

  Overall this car is a winner. Its fun to drive and very smooth (like a Lexus). I bought this car because of its room and style. Fits four adults comfortably and also can fit three teens in the back (need to cross-over the seat belts). I wish it had a little more pick up but hasnt been a problem. Wish the driver seat had a memory for at least one driver. Bluetooth for phone doesnt allow name of person calling to be programmed. Doesnt have the RDS (radio display signal).

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  Hesitation 07 Camry - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By ned - October 29 - 8:10 am

  Purchased 07 LE auto in June 06. Nicest looking car on road. Noticed hesitation after purchasing. Had 2 TSBs done to recalibrate engine, transmission. The last one helped the most, but not completely. Traded for new 08 Honda Accord this week. Much better performance and acceleration than Camry.

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  Theres a lot to like here... - 2007 Toyota Tundra
  By S. Baker - October 28 - 11:46 am

  This truck rides and handles well enough that even the wife doesnt mind driving it. Its comfortable for my 6-2 large frame even on a 300 mile straight through drive (which is the freeway distance you will go between fill-ups). Fit and finish is outstanding. Treat it gently as the sheet metal is paper thin and dents can accumulate very easily. The same applies to the paint job (paper thin). Have had the truck for a year and a half and have had no warranty issues whatsoever. This wont replace a Ford F250, but youd be better off buying it over a F150.

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  my best toyota purchase yet - 2006 Toyota Camry Solara
  By hectors got his kind - October 28 - 10:23 am

  after owning the 2000 celica gts that was my first toyota which i also purchased new.comparing this one to the celica this car i believe will give me less problems overall.the celica gave me quite a bit of problems but still performed excellently after the warrantywas expired. thank you toyota for making the kind of cars i will now buy for the rest of my life.i feel like a millionaire in my 2006 solara.

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  2000 Tundra - 2000 Toyota Tundra
  By J Tillman - October 28 - 6:36 am

  Best riding & handling truck Ive ever had. Liked the truck a lot. Suicide door arrangement was the most the most bothersome part of the truck. It was difficult getting things in or out of the back seat area having to have both side doors open, espeicially in a crowded carking lot. The Dunlop tires that came with the truck all failed within 27,000 mi. The belts shifted inside the tire.

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  Thrilled - 2006 Toyota Sequoia
  By gds5 - October 28 - 5:13 am

  5/2009 bought a 2006 sequoia, used but new to us. We searched and test drove numerous cars - loading and unloading 3 smaller kids into each for test drives. Toyota Seqouias withstood our kid tested-mother approved! It definitely is a beast of a vehicle but with running boards the kids can easily handle getting in and out. Our 4 yr old can easily buckle herself up now, couldnt in our dodge mini van. 3 kids (2 in car seats) fit totally comfortably in the middle bench seat. Easy fold up seat to get to the 3rd row. Totally surprised I didnt have to give up much trunk space. This vehicle fell into our lap and we jumped on it; even though it had higher miles weve been told Toyotas are long lasting!

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  Downsize - for fun and "profit" - 2008 Toyota Prius
  By Tomm - October 28 - 2:50 am

  Got rid of my relatively new Audi A6 with every option for a loaded 08 Prius a couple of weeks ago. Couldnt be happier. Maybe I am being small-minded [averaging 48 MPG of regular gas], but the car is fun to drive, holds the highway/road, and no difficult electronics.

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  Outstanding Camry SE - 2009 Toyota Camry
  By JKC - October 28 - 2:10 am

  I purchased this car with the Cash for Clunker rebate... plus I got 5000.00 off MSRP... total saving was $9500... what a deal - 16300 + tax and title. So Happy! What a great car... ride so smooth... lots of power for a 4 cly.