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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  Love this car - 2005 Toyota Prius
  By kkister1492 - October 12 - 5:13 am

  Ive had this car for about 6 months andlove everything about it. The fuel economy, the near-zero emissions, the versatility of the hatchback and 60/40 back seats. My family of 4 fits perfectly and they are around 6 tall. Plenty of leg room and head room. Andthe gadgets are so much fun. Love the navigation system.

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  Would Be a Perfect Cruiser - 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser
  By Real Cruiser - October 12 - 4:46 am

  Love the retro looks. Headlights should be bigger. Rear door should be designed like the 4runners. Interior can look like a retro but please make it look luxurious like the 4runner or atleast the design is up-to-date. Cant complain about the gas consumptions. Its better than average SUV gas consumptions but more efficent engine would be better. Dont like the Diesel as it pollutes the environment. Other than those mentioned above, love everything about the FJ cruiser.

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  Young at Heart - 2017 Toyota Camry
  By Kenneth Mounce - October 11 - 12:56 pm

  The car that knows no limits doesnt know what wearing out means

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  Raves for the Rav4 - 2006 Toyota RAV4
  By Pam Tarpey - October 11 - 11:20 am

  My husband and I traded in our second mid-sized SUV for the Rav4 and are thrilled with the car. The 4 cylinder is peppy and the car looks and feels like a luxury automobile. The inside rear compartment is smartly layed out and easy to adjust with the touch of a button. The car was originally for my husband, but I like it so much that I am trading in my treasured convertible so that I can drive this gem. We tested all of the competition, but as far as value, looks and being fun to drive, none even came close. It is our first Toyota, but it wont be our last!

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  Fun to drive, cool to own - 2010 Toyota FJ Cruiser
  By Charles - October 11 - 10:30 am

  Since getting rid of my Wrangler (with the anticipation of a second child), I didnt have a great deal of choices for a good off-road SUV that would accommodate them. Enter the FJ and the 4- door Wrangler. I love the style of the Wrangler but thats where it ends. Safety #1, Power and Fuel Economy #2, Capabilites #3, and Amenities #4 all point toward the FJ. It wins in every category. The FJ is powerful, drives great, and is styled differently enough to stand out in a sea of 4-Runners and Xterras. I have two small girls and we get around in it great. True, it has less back seat room than my wifes RX 330 but it is adequate. What is given up in some area is more than made up for in others.

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  Oh what a bummer..... - 2004 Toyota Sienna
  By Anna - October 11 - 8:46 am

  I have had my Sienna (2004) for a little over one year. Already, I have had to replace the radiator, seatbelts, parts in the steering wheel, and have other problems the dealership just cant fix. I bought a Toyota for the reliability since I am on the road often with my kids. I am so sorry I did! I refuse to drive the car on long trips now. Ive had it to the dealer four times in the past two months for repairs. The last time in, I had two pages worth of repairs/recalls on a one year old vehicle! I also have a sluggish take off which the dealer says is normal. The A/C doesnt blow cool when idle (traffic) for more than five minutes as well. Wish I had never bought this one.

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  Prius Rules! - 2005 Toyota Prius
  By AspenGirl - October 11 - 8:16 am

  My Prius is the best item I have ever purchased. Im getting an average 51 MPG and love driving it. Its really fun and responsive. The pick up is so much more than I expected. Stop considering it and just buy it! The next generation needs clean air! BTW...I gave up my loaded Sienna Van and have no regrets. The Prius is loaded with high tech fun and comfort!

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  Great Deal - 2001 Toyota Corolla
  By iadara - October 10 - 11:18 pm

  I just recently purchased my 01 Corolla S automatic for way under blue book with 116K miles on it and couldnt be happier. The handling, turn radius and overall feel of the car is so much more luxurious than that of my 1986 Corolla that I traded in years ago with 281K miles on it. Weird thing though was as soon as I got into the vehicle, it felt like I was sitting back in my 1986 model. Toyota has pretty much kept all the dials and switches in the same place, except for the radio, so I didnt have to "learn" anything new. Love the sunroof, the engine is super quiet and even though the exterior is typical Toyota boring, the interior is very nice. Im happy with it.

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  my experience - 2006 Toyota Camry
  By Jim - October 10 - 1:56 pm

  I get 35 mpg mixed driving and love the smooth handling and great quality and service. This is a great car and one of the best I have ever written a check for.

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  Judge Me By My Size, Do You? - 2015 Toyota Prius c
  By Joshua - October 10 - 11:14 am

  Im a 20-something college graduate who works in the film industry and drives across the country regularly. My priorities are functionality and pragmatism. My 2014 Prius C (lovingly appended "-3P0") was the first *new* car I ever bought, and in the 12 months I owned it I had put 45,000 miles on it driving from Albuquerque to Los Angeles, Seattle to Oklahoma City, and more. Its not a luxurious cruise, but I always felt safe, and the vehicle consistently performed as expected (a massive boon to the long drives is the flawlessly integrated bluetooth system). If you take care of this car as instructed, and I dont mean hand-polishing your paint job once a week, but simply driving smart and providing regular maintenance, itll work very hard for you. Lets talk about size for a moment. Inside, the fold-down seats provide you with substantial storage space for a vehicle in the class. Transporting grip equipment like tripods and steadicams, is generally no problem as long as you organize your cases appropriately. And as for my *favorite* aspect of this car, PARKING, I am simply smitten with the profile of this vehicle. Maybe its because Im a European living in the states, but I cant imagine driving a car larger than this and still being able to find parking in downtown LA--or almost anywhere in LA--on short notice during any given day. Now for some exaggerated criticism. Ive had friends tell me that driving this car is not unlike riding a large turtle (I for one happen to respect the longest-living mammal on this planet). Merging onto the highway? Either slam on that gas pedal and listen to your engine scream as the acceleration meter runs red, or stay in the green and ignore the scowls of zooming passerbys blaring their horns. This isnt a threat. More of a warning. At the end of the day, I loved my little C-3P0 and dont for one second regret choosing him over the Yaris, Fiesta, Sonic, or Dart. But as it looks like Ill be driving a lot less in the days to come, I decided to trade him in for a fresh start, and after perusing all the new 2016 models of the aforementioned selections for which I am obviously a target consumer (including a very frisky crimson Scion iA whispering my name) I drove off the dealership with another Prius C. I have no regrets (I mean, just look at that gorgeous front bumper). Now I just have to find a good name...