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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  Update - 2009 Toyota Corolla
  By Don - May 3 - 6:13 pm

  This is an update of my earlier review. Now that we have had our Corolla for several months I can be more accurate about the mpg. With careful driving we can get 30 mpg in the city and 40 mpg on the highway, using the AC will reduce this to about 28/38 mpg. This is fantastic for any car. Fast drivers will of course get less. We drive between 65 and 70 on the freeways. All in all the Corolla is a great value for the money.

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  Bulletproof Pickup - 1998 Toyota Tacoma
  By srsage107 - May 3 - 12:59 pm

  I have owned my 98 Tacoma for nearly a decade now. The truck is running 238k miles and the last California smog it had last year, it passed with flying colors. The mechanic was not surprised in the least that with all of the regular normal maintenance I do, that the Tacoma was still passing smog like it had at 5k miles. In the entire time I have owned my Tacoma, I have only replaced the battery once, the water pump and radiator at 220k miles and the alternator at 200k miles. I use only genuine Toyota parts. This truck has hauled boats, motorcycles, sand, cement, u-hauls and still sparkles like the day it came out of the factory and has not lost any power over the years. Solid truck!

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  Just what I wanted - 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By SeattleJ - May 3 - 6:50 am

  Build quality and mileage have been great. Features are nice and Im looking forward to taking it up to the moutains to see how the hybrid system does there.

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  Toyota #13 - 2006 Toyota Avalon
  By Ted - May 3 - 1:00 am

  This was our 1st Avalon and 13th Toyota. From the day I first saw one in a parking lot, I was impressed with the design and presentation of the car. I am very particular and this car replaced my 1997 Volvo Wagon. The car is sweet to drive, quite, smooth,and power when you need it. I test drove a Lexus, but could not justify the high cost compared to the Avalon. The Blizzard Pearl is a stunning color. I also like the navigation system. I am a computer forensic examiner and have read many complaints about the entry control feature; I found it seamless and pretty easy to use. The car is elegant with a sporty flair that draws attention. The exterior design is beautiful.

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  Best Car - 1994 Toyota Camry
  By XLE - May 2 - 4:03 pm

  I purchased this car only five months ago with 200K miles on it from the original owner. I had to install a front flex pipe and rear brake pads at the time, but with it pushing 207K miles as of today I would have to say that is low cost of service for the amount of miles on it. Every single option still works on the car and it has held up great, paint is original and glossy, no dents or rust, no cracks in the leather. Its life was cut short due to an unlicensed driver crashing into it while on my way to work. I drove this 100 miles a day and averaged 27 MPG, sad to see it go.

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  2008 Toyota Highlander LTD 2WD - 2008 Toyota Highlander
  By KP - May 2 - 7:26 am

  Excellent fit and finish. Ride is comfortable, powerful quiet engine. Interior controls easy to reach and well laid out. Only options we chose were a power lift gate, JBL stereo system, and running boards. Mileage has averaged 17 city and 27 highway since we purchased it. Toyo OEM tires showed wear bars at 17,000. Replaced with 19" Hankook 80,000 mile tires and have had no problems.

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  Great Overall Hauler - 2016 Toyota Sequoia
  By Doug - May 2 - 7:17 am

  Weve used this Sequoia for almost everything. We hauled a large vacation trailer thru Canada (8,000 miles) and it worked flawlessly and has plenty of power to go anywhere. Lots of room for people and storage. It appears to be designed for easy driving. The turning radius is great. Maintenance has been minimal, except for the brakes, which are problematic. The rotors heat up and are warped and "bounce" when you put on the brakes. We replaces the brakes and rotors several times, and the problem reoccurs.

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  BEST CAR EVER!! - 2001 Toyota Highlander
  By DD - May 1 - 6:10 pm

  I purchased this car two weeks ago and i just love it. Im 18 years old and Ive wanted this car since I was about 12 when it came out. I love it. I take the car out every chance that I have. I bought it because I need to haul my things to and from school so it made sense to buy something that could hold all my stuff. I have the leather package because the light colored cloth seats are unbearable to dirt. I can agree with some of the other reviews that say the wind noise is unbearable, but I still love my Highlander, and the cup holders are in a weird place. The MPG reader doesnt seem to change from 16.5 miles per gallon. Maybe I need to reset it.

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  I love this car! - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By Michael - May 1 - 7:20 am

  I really like the new exterior styling of this car. Its a step in the same direction as the more aggressive look that Chrysler has taken, without being overbearing. The 4 cyl engine is surprisingly powerful compared to other 4 cyls Ive owned. The interior is very quiet at highway speeds.

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  Good, solid and reliable - 1996 Toyota Avalon
  By Kenneth B - May 1 - 2:00 am

  I purchased this car from a friend who owned it from new. Was kept in excellent shape and maintained well. Only about 80,000MI on it when I took it over. Runs like it is brand new. No squeaks or rattles. Solid. Engine is fantastic with lots of power and good fuel economy. Love the roominess especially for passengers in the back seats. Good buy for anyone looking at this vehicle class.