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:

• 

  Reliability - 2016 Toyota Corolla
  By eric frasier - June 13 - 6:18 am

  Buy a Corolla for its reliability. Yes there are cars in this class that will give you better handling and a smoother ride, but this car will provide worry free transportation well over 250,000 miles.

• 

  Test Drive - 2003 Toyota Matrix
  By anonymous - June 13 - 4:30 am

  Based on a test drive, I feel that the matrix is a very well-designed car. It is versatile (folding the front passenger seat and the back seats down provides room for a lot of stuff), and it is sporty (good acceleration & braking, and a smooth but slightly firm ride). The two things that impressed me the most were the roomy feel (decent back seat leg room and good head room) and the ride (much smoother than expected).

• 

  My Blue Prius - 2006 Toyota Prius
  By whisperlee - June 13 - 2:10 am

  I was so impressed with the car the very first time I test drove it that I got one for myself 6 months later. Great interior room, great mileage, smooth ride... very satisfied. Even the exterior design grew on me over time. Lots of storage, and the leather seats just made the car even better!

• 

  10000 Mile Update - 2016 Toyota Tacoma
  By josephys - June 12 - 7:08 pm

  Its a quiet truck. The only grievance I have is the voice recognition...it frequently gets my requests wrong...far easier to attach my smart phone to the dash, and voice my requests. Navigation is frustrating. Who has time to pull over?

• 

  Something different - 2008 Toyota Prius
  By GaryL - June 12 - 6:40 am

  Overall, a wonderful vehicle. I like: gas mileage, ride comfort, hatchback storage, reliability, price. Handling & performance are good, not great. Dont like: digital odometer, gauges, controls and LCD panel that substitutes for these; complexity of built-in GPS (buy a free-standing one); a too small gas fill pipe; complexity of rear-view mirror, which doesnt open my garage door, as advertised; bar across rear window that limits visibility; occasionally HAL (the computer) gets confused about when to turn the engine on and when to turn it off; Id prefer a handbrake instead of a footbrake. Its easy to leave the car on when leaving it - remember push "off."

• 

  Awesome Sport Ute Rocket - 2007 Toyota RAV4
  By Colin - June 11 - 2:13 pm

  Checked out the CRV, the Sante Fe and the Mazda CX 7. After test drives and reviews, wound up with the Rav4 and have not been disappointed. Its an awesome little truck with tons of standard features and typical Toyota quality. Even at the base model you feel youre getting a lot for your hard-earned dollar. Oh, and this thing is fast, even the AWD.

• 

  5 Years and 186,000 Miles Later... - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By robertx - June 11 - 1:15 pm

  Purchased new in September 2006 to replace a 1999 Camry LE V6 with 225,000 miles on it that I had purchased used. Ive replaced the brakes once (will need to replace again soon), the struts once, the battery last month, and changed the oil every 7 to 10,000 miles. Ive not had a single problem otherwise (except when a deer ran into it a couple years ago). Not a very exciting car, but a comfortable and reliable one.

• 

  2005 Toyota 4Runner - 2005 Toyota 4Runner
  By David Cruise - June 11 - 6:00 am

  I use an SUV for commuting, utility trailers and boat trailers. I also expect to help the local crew coach tow a 7000lb GVW shell trailer that can carry 6-8 boats at once. I had a 2000 Nissan Pathfinder that was underpowered for the job. It had a stiff ride that I liked but my family would not ride with me. This car rides great and has many standard features that you need but that you dont think to look for.

• 

  I love it! - 2007 Toyota Corolla
  By shannon - June 11 - 3:43 am

  I bought this car this September, it was a trade up from a focus and I couldnt be happier. I dont have one complaint about it. Its wonderful.

• 

  The Yaris is great - 2008 Toyota Yaris
  By jd6102 - June 10 - 10:03 pm

  I went from driving a full size trick to the Yaris and I am perfectly happy with the size my kids actually have just as much if not more room in the Yaris. And my gas bill was cut at least in half.