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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  Almost Perfect - 2003 Toyota Highlander
  By John Adams - February 23 - 9:10 pm

  I am a small business owner and was using an Odyssey for hauling and an Accord for personal running. Been looking for something doing both. Finally decided to buy a 4 cylinder Highlander with 118,000 miles. And I have never been so happy in my life on making a car buying choice like this one. Great gas mileage, can do the loading as good as in my Odyssey. Great Car like smooth ride, and great gas mileage. Yes, being a 4 cylinder it does not have that V6 feel but who cares, it has good enough power to hold its own. Recommended 200% to all those who need good gas mileage, need bigger space, wanna drive SUV like looks and dont care if the vehicle does not make 0-60 miles in 6 seconds.

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  Time Machine - 2001 Toyota MR2 Spyder
  By dickiedenn - February 23 - 10:00 am

  You wont go wrong with this car. Looked at other sports cars in the MS2 class to feed my midlife crisis, nothing touches it for spirited driving and ease of ownership. Cant keep the rest of the family away from the car. Still get looks wherever I go.

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  Matrix is great! - 2004 Toyota Matrix
  By BKO - February 23 - 10:00 am

  We purchased the Matrix as our third car but drive it every day. It handles well, is extremely comfortable, and uses interior space very efficiently.

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  xrs - 2004 Toyota Matrix
  By matrix xrs - February 23 - 10:00 am

  the matrix xrs is a wonderful wagon. it is affordable has lots of headroom and sporty. i am 62" and space was an issue but not with the matix. i spent 19000 plus tax. the engine in the matrix xrs has plenty of horses to pass on freeways and accelerate on the shortest on ramps. the matrix is a great little wagon

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  Outstanding vehicle! - 2003 Toyota Camry
  By sledge - February 23 - 10:00 am

  The Camry V6 XLE is just awesome. Bought it with the anti-skid traction control system and curtain airbags.

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  Love the new Tundra - 2008 Toyota Tundra
  By Tundra Crew - February 23 - 9:33 am

  Had an 06 Tundra which I didnÂ’t care for too much and traded for an 07 Tacoma that I loved. After buying my wife a new Highlander the dealership made me an offer I couldnÂ’t refuse on a new Tundra, and I love it. By far the best truck out there. Standard features are amazing, donÂ’t really need to add much to it to make it the perfect truck. I got 20 MPG on the highway coming home, you canÂ’t go wrong.

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  Great Truck - 2005 Toyota Tacoma
  By dk - February 23 - 6:20 am

  4x4 TRD Sport Package, JBL system...This is a very solid truck. Rides great, handles great. Definitely recommend the JBL 6-disc changer and speaker upgrade - sounds awesome. Have only had the truck for a week, but have put on several hundred miles for xmas traveling. Very comfortable for 4+ hour trips. Short bed is very easy to maneuver. Cant wait to hit the beaches and trails...

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  My review of 2005 4 Runner with the V8 - 2005 Toyota 4Runner
  By Mark Savage - February 22 - 6:23 pm

  We really like this vehicle overall; just wish gas had not gone up like it did, for we had a 4 cylinder camry prior and it obviously got better mileage; still, on the open road, Ive seen the gas monitor go as high as 24 to 29 mpg when driven between 40 and 55mph. Id guess we were getting about 16 to 20 average though. The power this SUV has is very surprising. A friend of ours has a V6 version and I rode with him and during hard acceleration, I could only tell a little difference in the V6 and V8, so the V6 will serve you well also. Id highly recommend the 4Runner; I just wish I had the 4 wheel drive version for those rare times we get snow or ice in this part of NC.

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  It is still a half-ton truck - 2007 Toyota Tundra
  By mr ed - February 22 - 10:00 am

  I have a longbed doublecab 5.7 SR5 2wd. I traded a Silverado 2500 crewcab, and was counting on the TV ads to be accurate. The ads lead you to believe that although it is a half-ton truck, it is almost a 3/4 ton. Not even close! If you are a person who drives to the office and parks the truck, picks up some lumber on the weekend, and tows the boat to the lake on the weekend, then this is a wonderful truck. If you work out of your truck and carry heavy loads, then be prepared to be let down. It is a light duty 1/2 ton truck. The tires are rim protectors, not truck tires and can inflate to only 44 lbs, not 70lbs like a real truck tire. The suspension is soft. But I like the truck.

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  this cars ok, but not excellent - 2002 Toyota Camry Solara
  By intelinside - February 22 - 8:46 am

  have been driving a 2002 solara sle v6 for a month. its very quiet and has ample power. interior is very nice and jbl sound system is also excellent. it gives a smooth ride but handling and suspension isnt as firm as I want it to be. nice looking car (front and side looks) but i dont like the new taillights. (i have been looking for after-market taillights with no success. let me know if you know where I can get a pair.)