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:

• 

  Love the look and the ride feels secure - 2015 Toyota Venza
  By J. Stockman - October 26 - 5:23 pm

  Very happy with my new Venza. I dont get why discontinued in US. I highly recommend and think it beats the competition in both looks and performance. I test drove lots of other crossovers and SUVs and this was by far the nicest one. Firm steering and good acceleration.

• 

  V6 can tow it. - 2003 Toyota Tundra
  By Toy owner - October 26 - 5:13 pm

  V6 tows boat and 21 Ft Travel Trailer with no problems at all

• 

  I bought another brand new Camry - 2008 Toyota Camry
  By Happy Camry Owner - October 26 - 3:56 pm

  I have to say I love this car. I bought one in 2007 and just gave that one to my wife, so I had to buy a brand new 2008. It rides great and shifts smoothly, plenty of power for a 4-cylinder. I recommend getting one with the upgraded JBL stereo. It sounds so much better than the regular stereo. My 2008 Camry has the upgraded JBL stereo, moonroof package, rear lip spoiler and body side molding. Im looking forward to driving this car for the next few years. This car rocks and I recommend buying one!

• 

  Im gonna miss this car... - 2002 Toyota Celica
  By Zahmorri - October 26 - 1:06 pm

  My Celica treated me so well. Handled like a dream, fantastic gas mileage (always around 30 mpg), not a single mechanical issue in the six years I owned it (bought it used in 2004 with 30k). Very smooth manual transmission. Yeah, theres no backseat, but what do you expect? Its not meant to be a family car. With decent tires, it can handle a Kansas winter, which is saying a lot for a 2400 lb car. I got in a bad front-impact accident and totaled mine, and the crush zones were phenomenal. Everything behind the firewall was completely untouched. For such a small car, I felt very safe in it. Not to mention sexy, because its a dang good looking car.

• 

  Beware Im done with all Toyota products - 2002 Toyota RAV4
  By 2002Rav4Sucks - October 25 - 5:40 pm

  Dont buy Toyota. Read the reviews here. All of them. Some people even posted a good review before the on- board computer fried and then burn the transmission. Or before the engine burnt from the known oil sludge problem. Then wrote another bad review. I paid $14,000 used. Good deal private party with 40k miles. At 88k miles the engine blew-up from oil sludge. I didnt know about the "oil sludge recall" until after I had it rebuilt for $4,500. Then at about 97k miles the jerking shifting started. This is my daughters car so I took it in to my mechanic. He said on board computer $1300 and the transmission is cooked because of the computer problem. $5,600 for rebuild and new computer (contd

• 

  Cute Car with Fantastic Mileage!! - 2008 Toyota Yaris
  By Stephanie - October 25 - 4:53 pm

  At first, I wasnt keen about losing my sporty convertible and exchanging it for the Yaris; but gas was a major problem and the Yaris mileage was the most influential factor for choosing it. However, I love my Yaris! Although its an economy, four door, I think its bubble look is cute along with the metallic red color I chose. Mileage is amazing! I commute 80 miles every day and find Im averaging around 40 mpg while dirving 80 mph! I think the stereo is great and highly recommend the power package option. The Yaris responds well for a 1.5L and definitely keeps up with the other cars on speed - it just needs a little oomph at first to pick up speed. This is the best economy car for 2008!

• 

  What a truck!! - 2007 Toyota Tundra
  By Big Duece - October 25 - 3:46 pm

  The Tundra is an excellent truck. Power, durability, comfort, and all the works. A true truck man love those qualities. The Tundra is not a Lexus but it sure rides like one. I cant wait to see if TRD creates a blower (forced induction) for this vehicle. It will really become a true monster truck that is street legal. I love everything about my Tundra. What a truck!!

• 

  Delighted with my purchase - 2007 Toyota Tundra
  By Eddie Kidd - October 25 - 1:33 pm

  I bought the truck because of Toyotas legendary reliability and my success with previous Toyota trucks. Not one problem so far. This truck is a blast to drive. I drove all brands of trucks before my purchase just to make sure I wasnt being biased. The Tundra simply "fit" me better than any other full-size truck.

• 

  Great - 2003 Toyota 4Runner
  By Paul - October 25 - 12:56 pm

  We traded an 04 Envoy 4x4 for this because we trailer a dirt bike and atv. As it turns out, we can use this on the 4x4 trails near where we live. The gas mileage leaves a little to be desired, but the V8 wasnt purchased for amazing gas mileage. I get about 15 in the city and 21ish on the highway. With 1100 pounds of trailer in tow, we get about 19. I dont think thats too bad for full-time 4wd.

• 

  Truck that keeps needing service - 1997 Toyota Tacoma
  By escargot - October 25 - 10:00 am

  This truck has been in the dealership once every 6/7 months. Its either a check engin light, overheating, cat. converted or rough iding. This is one of the worst truck I purchased for seeing the dealer on everything. I dont drive the truck hard and most of the time its highway miles.