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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  able to leep...... saved my life - 2001 Toyota Tundra
  By gamootz - July 31 - 10:00 am

  I totaled my Tundra and was launched in the air for well over 145 feet, it landed and then bounced crossed the road and hit 2 other cars, I was knocked out but came to and just felt slightly sore. That truck saved my life ! I believe as does everyone who saw the crash scene that I would have been killed if I was in any other kind of truck made A++++ . I Thank you Toyota for making them safe. I believe that is the strongest and safest truck on the road ever built. I give this truck my highest regards and recommend them to everyone. AMAZING TRUCKS TOYOTA !!

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  Worth the wait!! - 2002 Toyota Camry Solara
  By Mrs. G. - July 31 - 10:00 am

  Unfortunately it took appprox. 7 weeks to receive my vehicle, when the vehicle arrived, and we looked it over, it was very much worth the wait! Interior: one would think Lexus, Elegant... Exterior: very sleek design... An eye catcher. Dealership very professional, when the vehicle came in, closing of the deal took only minutes, with the promise of being pampered for a lifetime.

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  Average Car - 2002 Toyota Camry Solara
  By SCR - July 31 - 10:00 am

  After owning Hondas for many years, I decided to switch to Toyota because I liked the look of my Solara. Theres plenty of room. Its smooth riding and handling. It has a luxurious look for the price. Its just not a fine tuned car. It doesnt have the precision of my Hondas. Its an excellent car for someone who wants a vehicle that you put the key in, put gas in it and go. Dont expect to get much more out of it. I compare it to a big econobox that you really cant get much more out of the engine or transmission. Nonetheless, everyone who gets into my car seems to love it. I wish I shared their enthusiasm since Im the one who drives it everyday.

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  Great car for the money - 2003 Toyota Corolla
  By hdi - July 31 - 10:00 am

  This car kicks butt for the money. Its pretty looking and inexpensive to both buy and to maintain. Forget about honda civic

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  Great car, not true it can tow 5,000 lbs - 2013 Toyota Highlander
  By manny52 - July 31 - 9:07 am

  I love this vehicle, it is beautiful, drives like a car but moves 6 people. I am writing this review to alert others of a problem about towing. Toyota says that, with a towing package, the 3.5 L V6 Highlander can tow 5,000 lbs. But the package comes with a 4-pin electrical trailer connector which has no connection for electrical brakes. In Canada, it is illegal to tow more than 3,000 lbs without trailer brakes. Toyota cannot install a 7-pin connector on the Highlander. Therefore, Toyotas claim of a 5,000 lbs towing capacity is UNTRUE. The true towing capacity is less than 3,000 lbs.

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  Performance and Reliability - 2007 Toyota Tundra
  By EX Ford Owner - July 31 - 6:46 am

  I was a GMC and F150 owner for years. After my 2006 F150 broke down the 4th time I drove it straight to the Toyota dealer and traded it in. I felt guilty at first , but than learned The Toyota was designed and built in the U.S. (much more so than the F150 !).This truck may cost a little more, but you get way more for the money, the build quality is far superior, it tows like an animal, and with only 1500 miles it is getting better gas mileage than the f150 already. I get compliments on it all the time. It is sharp enough to take my girlfriend to a nice restaurant, and strong enough to haul my race car to the track. The last time I towed, it was up hills in 108 degree heat - no sweat.

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  Boring & wonderful - 1999 Toyota Camry
  By 1999camry - July 31 - 6:15 am

  I stumbled upon my 1999 v6 American Edition Camry in early 2007 with 88k. Previous to that I had never considered a Toyota, but the deal was right. Since then I have put 110k of my own miles on it. It has seen me through college, marriage and the birth of our two kids. Since day one, I have considered it the most boring-looking car I have ever set eyes on, and my wife refers to me as "grandpa" when Im in it. Looks notwithstanding, I LOVE my Camry. The v6 is enough to keep driving interesting and the reliability cant be beat. The mph is acceptable: I get 26 mpg no matter what I do. Highway, city, petal to the floor, or with my wife and kids in the car: 26 mpg.

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  This is a Toyota? - 2010 Toyota 4Runner
  By Russ Blondeck - July 31 - 1:16 am

  This car should definitely revive Toyotas declining reputation for sure. I have never owned a better vehicle. It works simple marvels off road, but its still more then comfortable in the city. It blows my wifes g-class out the water. More comfortable both on the beaten path and off-road. I got it lifted, added a bullbar, kc lights, rear Bush guards, and a snorkel, but it still handles like my previous 3 series. The real shocker is though how good it does water fording. I was driving through a lake once that my-off road club goes in often but I ran into a deep spot that we didnt know about. It completely submerged, with just the snorkel sticking out. It was stuck for over 3 seconds but still drove out!

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  Road noise and head restraints block view - 2010 Toyota Corolla
  By notsosmartski - July 30 - 11:45 pm

  I think the road noise from the tires humming along is too loud. I think you can hear the traffic just as loud whether the windows are down or up. I am still getting used to the head restraints that appear in the way of my view when I try to turn around to see what is behind me when backing out. Per the monitor I get 31 MPGs! The car has enough pickup and go for my wife and I. We paid under $16K out the door. back up.

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  Outstanding car!! - 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By Northwest mom - July 30 - 7:20 pm

  This car is both luxurious and economical. The driving experience is quiet and soothing. I do a lot of highway driving and its just what the doctor ordered. The brakes are especially impressive, but the gas mileage is probably the best part. The gas mileage feedback system really helps you drive more economically.