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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  05 Tacoma - 2005 Toyota Tacoma
  By Buffalonickel - October 5 - 6:53 am

  We have hauled 4 adults @ a time, pulled a trailer hauling a Harley all over the country, filled the bed with rocks, logs, mulch, topsoil, and I drive to work each day. We live in the Ozarks, so none of our roads are straight, flat, or smooth. The local mileage is 18 mpg and on a flat Highway 55/39 in Illinois or 70 through Kansas mileage climbed to 24 mpg running at 75 with the AC cooling me to a chill in 90 degree heat. The only complaint I have is the alarm system was futzed up and we had to install an aftermarket system. And that bed is made out of plastic. I want a steel bed with solid anchors like my old Hilux. So all-in-all this truck has been very easy to own. 60,000 miles!

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  I heart my TCH even tho I didnt want to - 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By cocogirl - October 4 - 7:16 am

  I was determined to hate this car but felt its necessity. Ive debated hybrids 4 years but was disappointed in lack of creature comforts (sunroof) & styling. I thought I wanted another luxury car (I had a Infiniti G35) but live in Hawaii where gas got 2 be $5/g premium & I couldnt justify working to drive a symbol. The first day I hated it (it seemed like a mom car & I am so the opposite) & gas mileage was awful (<20 mpg). I cried & thought I made an expensive mistake. I gave it a week & actually fell hard for it. Its smooth, spacious, luxurious, zippy & a convo starter. I avg 37.2 - 99.9/tank (yup 99, downhill).

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  Fun little car - 2009 Toyota Yaris
  By harshad - October 4 - 6:13 am

  I traded my 2005 Rav4 (manual) because my arch was hurting after daily 60 mile commute. I opted for a automatic with fuel efficiency and still fits my bike. This one is perfect. I got 35 mpg on first 2 tanks. It drives smooth. Sitting position is excellent. Ingress and egress is better than my Acura. Lots of safety features and a good stereo. I saw a car like this hurling down autobahn at 110 miles an hour last week. My girls call it a little blue jelly bean and prefer to go in this car than our Acura TSX or Toyota Sienna. There is a lot of leg room in the back. Just a fun little car. Toyota should also offer the diesel with this one.

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  Smooth as silk - 2005 Toyota Sequoia
  By SK - October 4 - 1:33 am

  I own an 03 SR5 Rwd, and the 05 is my 2nd Sequoia for a reason. I love the quality of the vehicle. Its super safe (saved me OTHER drivers mistakes on a number of occasions), and is the surprisingly agile! The whole no chime for lights on issue is alleviated by the fact that: a. you can turn your lights off by pressing the lock button on the keyless keyfob twice (light had to have been on while driving; if you turn the lights on after the car is off, it will stay on), and b. the lights turn off automatically under the same circumstances if the truck is off and the door has been closed. I think the timer is at about 30 seconds.

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  The best car ever! - 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By DAPPER - October 3 - 10:36 pm

  I traded in a 1997 Ford Explorer- lovely gas mileage of 12 miles per gallon! Funny -- I drive 25 mi one way to work. Getting expensive to work these days. So,I went to test drive a camery xle when the hybrid (which I undersood wasnt even out yet) was on the lot. It is everything I wanted, gps, moonroof, heated seats and excellent gas mileage (rated at 40 / 38). The car was a delight to drive -- the price is about the same as a totally decked out xle. Except you have the tax incentive and the gas savings. The math and decision was easy. I absolutely love the car!! I average 38 miles per gallon. This includes mountain, air conditioning, freeway and city road driving.

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  LOVE This Car! - 2007 Toyota Camry Solara
  By ccald - October 3 - 1:03 pm

  I have owned my Toyota Solara SLE Convertible for just about three years now. I absolutely love it! I was so very sorry to hear of the models demise. I think Toyota made a mistake there. I wanted a 4 seater not a 2 seater convertible without being a huge car and there are not many of those made. The retractable hard roofs take up trunk space which I do not like. My car has really good trunk space. I have seen too many of the convertibles with very poor trunk space. I would have continued buying Toyotas convertibles if they had continued making the Solara. I live in the middle south and convertibles are definitely the way to go. Toyota: PLEASE BRING IT BACK!

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  Its Been Magnificient So Far! - 2005 Toyota Prius
  By drbb - October 3 - 12:03 pm

  Four months and no complaints. After 7000 miles and one service, runs like a dream. Only surpise so far is the salesman cautioned against trusting EPA mileage, say 45 MPG more realistic. But in mixedhighway/local driving, getting almost 50 (started lower but increased and leveling off). After driving a Sienna, braking takes getting used to, because Prius (it is smaller) brakes much more responsively. Only negatives so far: 1. Navigation system still drives us crazy, though. Too complicated--but I cant compare it to others on the market. 2. Bluetooth cell phone feature not compatible with all phones. This is a software problem being worked on by phone cos. and Toyota.

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  laugh if you want to . . . - 2002 Toyota Echo
  By jekyl - October 3 - 11:00 am

  I bought this car because I was looking for the cheapest new car available. I had owned an 81 Tercel and I loved it. I figured the Echo took up where the Tercel left off. I loved the Echo immediately. 40 mpg, no trouble, fast, lots of fun to drive. Have a hard time not speeding with the get up and go manual transmission. If I can manage to get 3 kids carseats into the back seat (which will be difficult, but possible) Ill never get rid of it. I might get laughed at because of the way the car looks, but I laugh every time I pass a gas station full of gas guzzling SUVs in the urban jungle. Its too bad theyre not making Echos anymore. Its a great little car.

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  Great Performance, Great Car! - 2010 Toyota RAV4
  By Snowy New Hampshire - October 3 - 10:16 am

  I bought my second Toyota Rav4 this fall to prepare for the New England winter! We just had a major snowstorm, and the Rav4 performed flawlessly. I felt perfectly safe at all times, and the Rav4 even navigated unplowed roads and driveways just like they were summer roads! I LOVE THIS CAR!

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  A legit "use me like a truck" Pickup Truck - 2016 Toyota Tacoma
  By Easyrider4_2000@yahoo.com - October 3 - 3:28 am

  The 2016 holds fast to the concept of a true pick up truck. You want to take your truck into the mountains? This is it. Do you want to drive up and down the city streets with air conditioned seats? Hard pass. This is an active persons truck! Its purpose built.... The purpose? Adventure. No its not the fastest, no its not the most powerful but dont be fooled, this truck can hold its own on road. Off road and youre in rare company with a Wrangler...