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:

• 

  Great car for the $ - 2008 Toyota Avalon
  By Manny - June 14 - 1:20 pm

  Need car after 10 yrs w/Infiniti. Considered many others, 4 & 6 cyl. Avalon smoothest suspension & plenty of amenities; seems as if its on Lexus LS platform, w/o the price or quite the cache-but also w/o premium gas requirement. Avg > 30 mpg on my first highway drive & overall ave. ~ 24.5 miles per gallon in mixed city and hwy driving. JBL 12 spkr very nice. Highly recommend.

• 

  Fun to Buy - 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By Robert Parker - June 14 - 6:43 am

  Most exciting car to "discover" on the showroom floor. At 72 years it made me an up-to-date consumer with all the technology aboard. With all the comfort and assists available, it is tempting to keep "running out" for items that you once shopped for once a week.

• 

  Almost a year - 2006 Toyota RAV4
  By raverrr - June 14 - 3:46 am

  I bought my Rav last year. I have absolutely no complaints about it. It has performed very well, no problems at all. I have the 4cyl 4WD which is very peppy, no problems passing on highways. Handles flawlessly on snow and ice. The only thing I would suggest to anyone considering a base model... dont. Mine is a base and I regret not getting the Sport for about 1200 more. Am not crazy about the base seats, theyre light colored and can easily show stains.

• 

  A2DP w/ Blackberry 8330 sounds bad. - 2010 Toyota Prius
  By Burgeoning - June 13 - 11:23 pm

  The car is great. My only complaints: 1. A mild whine from the engine compartment (maybe AC or elec motor). 2. Bluetooth streaming from a new Blackberry Curve 8330m sounds bad (popping/crackling) - Pandora and Slacker. Also a little battery whine gets to the radio when connected via the AUX port. 3. MPG has been <=40mpg around town. This is probably due to lots of lights. Ive been driving conservatively. 4. NAV uses CDs.

• 

  Best Car I have EVER owned. Period! - 2016 Toyota Prius
  By Manny Marin Jr. - June 13 - 7:00 pm

  Having purchased a 2015 Prius Five for my Printing Business I was satisfied with the car BUT saw the Commercial during the NFL Stupidbowl this year. I was taken away by the styling of the outside of the car. Reminded my of the Auto Show where I saw Toyotas first Hydrogen vehicle concept. The lines were similar and the interior of that car blew me away. Fast forward to last week. Dropped the Prius Five for its first service and saw the 2016 Three Touring in the showroom. Like the look but the interior was missing something, mainly power seats. The Salesguy informed me that there was a Four Touring with all the bells and whistles. I saw it, drove it, and traded in my 2015 that night. The car drives much better. No hessitation when giving it throttle. Brakes waaaaaaaaay better. Seat is more comfortable. Love the Qi cell charging for my phone. Visability is better. Fuel economy is better as well. Still getting used to the rear end of the car which is growing on me. I also see Toyota changed the interior taking out a lot of the cheap looking white plastic inserts to black. Love the blue stitching in the black leather seats. Seat warmers are better. I am a fan!

• 

  2004 Sienna - 2005 Toyota Sienna
  By cubfanjim - June 13 - 7:50 am

  We have had the Sienna for 14 months donw, and I cannot find anything wrong with it. Great performance; easy for the kids to get in and out; the sliding doors and automatic opening and closing rear door are fabulous; the fold flat rear seat works like a dream; handling is good and the car is fun to drive. The only thing I wish is that we had gotten the AWD, not FWD. Great minivan.

• 

  Elegant Ride - 2005 Toyota Tundra
  By aasheal - June 13 - 7:00 am

  As a longtime owner and driver of American-made, full size pickups, the 4- door Tundra is by the far the most drivable machine Ive ever owned. Its like a luxury car with an open trunk.

• 

  4Runners Forever - 1997 Toyota 4Runner
  By 4RunLover - June 13 - 4:26 am

  I bought my first 4Runner used, a 1997 SR5 4x4. Ive had about a dozen vehicles (none Toyotas) in my lifetime and wish I had bought a 4Runner sooner. I am now shopping for another one, for my daughter whos in college. Shes going to flip out -- she loves ours.

• 

  My new car - 2007 Toyota Corolla
  By Anthony - June 12 - 5:43 pm

  Its my first car that i bought. i used to drive a chevy cavalier. I love My corolla! It has great gas mileage. Its sporty, but very clean looking. I know it will last forever cause its a toyota. I got alot of upgraded features for a great price.

• 

  My Celica - 2000 Toyota Celica
  By Christie - June 12 - 1:43 pm

  I never have driven such an amazing fun car. I have never had an problems with my 2000 Celica other than regular maintainance issues. It now has 212000 miles on it and still runs like new. And in the snow its the greatest car to drive. There is nothing negative I could say about the Celica, its a great fun car to drive