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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  Great smart stylish choice - 2012 Toyota Prius
  By mike edwards - August 7 - 4:55 am

  options..look for the solar panel and rearview camera...maybe satellite radio as well

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  good car but - 2007 Toyota Corolla
  By steve - August 7 - 1:50 am

  I bought this car three years ago and it was a demo with 1,200. I traded in a 1998 Camry which was a great car. After driving this for one day I was realized what a mistake I had made, the road noise was atrocious. It gets great gas mileage, as high as 40 mpg on a road trip, 32 as an average, but the headlights are terrible at night on regular beam, in fact it is downright dangerous. I am in process of trading the corolla in on a Hyundai sonata, 2011. I have bought toyotas for years but since about 2007 and after, you read more bad than you do good about toyotas.

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  Very Impressive - 2007 Toyota Prius
  By binfire - August 6 - 10:50 pm

  I have owned my 07 Prius for ten days. It is very easy to maneuver on road and parking lot. Turning corners is just a piece of cake. Ride is comfortable and quiet. Love the backup camera and it really works. Love to push a button to start the engine. I dont need to touch my key in order to get into the car, drive, park, and close the doors. The most interesting thing is watching the trip computer telling you engine running conditions and fuel economy. For the first tank of gas, I got 50 MPG (filled 9.0 gal at 450 miles) with 80% city miles. Very impressive! Very happy with my purchase.

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  Love it, love it, love it,will buy another if this one ever dies - 2006 Toyota Corolla
  By derhamjustin - August 6 - 6:07 pm

  wonderful car, awesome mpg, reliable, 63,000 miles and have done nothing but change the oil, comfortable, surprisingly roomy. will buy another one IF this one ever dies, or perhaps upgrade to a camry. would recommend to ANYONE, buy this car and you will not be disappointed.

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  1,000 Miles So Far - 2010 Toyota RAV4
  By Nick B - August 6 - 1:43 pm

  I traded a 2002 manual honda civic for the RAV4 because we had a baby and needed a bigger car. I love the power upgrade from the civic, V-6 is a big jump in hp for my daily driving. It doesnt take the corners like a car, but it does handle fairly well with the sport suspension and larger wheels. We were almost ready to buy the CR-V, but the power of the V-6 sold me. So far Im averaging 21.5 mpg, pretty good mix of highway and city with the A/C on all the time because its been hot. Also drive on the more heavier footed side of average, not crazy, but more pedal than probably about 3/4 of the people out there. Overall its a nice car so far.

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  Toyota Highlander Hybrid - 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
  By mwalsh65 - August 6 - 1:36 pm

  I love my Highlander Hybrid. I used to drive a Saab 9-3, which I also loved. I got an avg of 21 mpg with the Saab. Because I have a 2 year-old and am facing preschool and carpool, I wanted to get a bigger vehicle, but did not want to get less mpg. Unfortunately, most mid-sized SUVs got 20 mpg or lower. Then the Highlander Hybrid was introduced and I jumped at it. Now, I get an average of 26 mpg (better than my sedan)and I have much more room (including a third row seat that folds into the floor). The vehicle drives very well and is very comfortable. I love this vehicle and I highly recommend it as a non gas-guzzling family car.

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  Keeps Going and Going - 1992 Toyota Camry
  By jd129 - August 6 - 12:43 pm

  I bought this car 6 years ago from the first owner with 83,000 miles on it. Since then I have driven it up and down the east coast multiple times and went on a 26 day, coast to coast road trip racking up 9,725 miles. It now has 232,500 miles on it. Engine runs great, rides smooth, and besides routine maintenance and few replacement parts here and there its been low maintenance. It has become the go to car for road trips among friends and family because of its reliability and the fact that on the highway she gets 33 mpg consistently. I dont know how they did it, but Toyota may have made the best car on the road.

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  Favorite Car! - 1996 Toyota Celica
  By Vanessa H - August 6 - 10:00 am

  It took me a while to find the exact car I wanted...and it was completely worth the wait! This was the best car I EVER had! Weve been together for 7- 8 years and its still in EXCELLENT condition!

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  Love It - 2004 Toyota Prius
  By Joyce Muxfeld - August 6 - 10:00 am

  Am not getting the 60 mpg city driving that I expected, more like 43-48. On the highway, however, I average 50-53, even at 65mph. Love the car. Plan to buy a 2nd one for our family.

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  Best solid fun in years! - 2005 Toyota Camry Solara
  By Russ - August 6 - 10:00 am

  Jet Black exterior with tan hides and tan rag top. Loaded and the best navigation system ever! Great quality, superior looks and finish. Too many features to list here. Why pay 45k to 56k for other convertibles? This baby is sharp!