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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  Cant kill this car! - 2000 Toyota Echo
  By kosarin - March 4 - 7:33 am

  Bought new in 2000. Other than initial problem w/o2 sensor, have had almost no repairs. Keep thinking of buying a new car but why bother?

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  2001 mid year build Highlander - 2002 Toyota Highlander
  By mollysalsa - March 3 - 4:03 am

  Did about 2 months of research on the HL B-4 buying,,this our 3ed Toyota and am sold,,the AWD system is great here in Minnesota,,except for a few small things build quality is a 10.

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  Maintenance - 2005 Toyota Corolla
  By Greg - March 2 - 7:26 pm

  Car was good for the first 4 years. Dealer will try to talk you into maintenance that you dont need. Better hope your fuel pump doesnt breakdown. It costs $1140 to get a new fuel pump installed. Better hope your headlight doesnt crack. $200 just for the part. That doesnt even include labor. Overall, I would rate it 7 out of 10.

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  2009 Toyota Corolla it does what I want - 2009 Toyota Corolla
  By drewh - March 2 - 6:53 am

  I disposed of a car I loved but it got 15 mpg. The Corolla is appointed much better than I expected. The interior is very roomy and sound system and airflow are fine. Gas mileage differential alone pays for 2/3 of the car payment.

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  Great SUV - 2003 Toyota Sequoia
  By antnie - March 2 - 2:00 am

  Changed from a BMW X5 to a Limited Sequoia. Beautiful SUV, roomy, rides smooth, looks great.

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  Very happy with this truck - 1997 Toyota Tacoma
  By ryanmiller98 - March 2 - 2:00 am

  I’ve had my Tacoma for nearly 5 years and plan on driving it another 5. After 117K miles, the only problem was w/ the air conditioning - a difficult- to-diagnose leak costing $380 at the dealer. Other than that, Ive changed tires as needed, the engine oil every 4- 5K, and trans/diff every 15K. New plugs, air/fuel filters, EGR Valve - routine self-performed minor tune-up. Ive done a bit of 4WD (6X/year) - Handles solid in snow and trail. The check engine light I used to get? - hasnt done it once since I turned the gascap at least 3 clicks after fillup. I strongly recommend it and will likely buy a newer one - probably around 2008

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  RAV4 U - 2002 Toyota RAV4
  By Marcus/markmils - March 2 - 2:00 am

  I was skeptical about buying an SUV because I dont want to like SUVs. I think full size SUVs should serve more of a practical purpose instead of just burning fuel (towing or hauling loads). I also was concerned about the high ride height and resulting safety. Well the ute class of SUVs are practical and fun to drive and dont burn a lot of fuel. The RAV4 can be a daily commuter without giving away ride comfort. I hate to say it but I rather like the RAV4 and Ive been a long time car owner. Good thing to be open minded!

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  Great Sequoia - 2002 Toyota Sequoia
  By Jim M - February 29 - 5:43 am

  Excellent vehicle to drive. Lot of fun on the wide open mountain roads of New Hampshire. Everyone that see the SUV loves the style!!

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  Love it. - 2002 Toyota Tacoma
  By Ryan - February 29 - 12:03 am

  4 doors are great and I dont find the size of the bed to be an issue. Reliable, handles well, especially in snow. Not the most comfortable ride on bumpy dirt roads, but fine on the highway. I highly recommend it.

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  Great Trip Car - 2008 Toyota Sienna
  By Bob Ricci - February 28 - 8:50 pm

  Have owned the car for slightly over 2 years. Over-the-road driving is very comfortable with plenty of cabin space and power. This van with a 266 hp engine has a lot of pep! Fuel economy is nominal. The engine is noisy however but dealer says its normal for the type of motor used.