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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  Prius - 2005 Toyota Prius
  By Valerie - February 4 - 9:40 pm

  Although Ive only owned my car for about a month, I can say that it is by far the most fun car I have ever driven. It takes San Francisco hills with ease. The sense of control on the road is excellent with great visibility all around. And you sit up fairly high for such a small vehicle.

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  I love this car, I hate Big-brother - 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By Dave Joyce - February 4 - 4:56 pm

  The choice between the Camry Hybrid and all of the other hybrids (Civic, Altama, Prius, etc..) was a simple one. The Camry is very comfortable and well built. As with any Hybrid it does have trade offs. The trunk is 5 cubic feet smaller than the standard Camry, and the fold-down seats pass-through is somewhat of a joke. You may be able to fit a set of skies through it, though the odds are they would be in a sky rack. My only complaint about this car is the navigation system. I feel that Toyota is trying to play big brother by preventing you or your passenger from using the system while the car is moving. If you need to enter an address you will need to come to a complete stop first.

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  Toyota Camry XLE V6 is the best - 2011 Toyota Camry
  By rfbronk1 - February 3 - 7:04 pm

  Our 2011 Toyota Camry XLE V6 is the best car we have ever owned! It is quiet, it is comfortable, and it is a pleasure to drive. We can take a trip in comfort and get over 30 mpg. Our car has every feature one could want - the leather is lovely - the JBL radio is great and the build quality is very nice. This is just a wonderful car, a very good value, and one that will hold its value. A great decision for our family.

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  First minivan - 2015 Toyota Sienna
  By RON Pope - February 3 - 10:22 am

  I would buy this car again, only thing about a minivan for me I dislike is Im 63" and would like more headroom always hitting my head on rear lift trunk, I will probably go back to suv because of more head room. Other then that, a real dependable vehicle

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  2 door Toyota Echo 2001 - 2002 Toyota Echo
  By femme - February 3 - 10:00 am

  Good qualities: The 2 door Toyota Echo 2001 is a fun car to drive - it zips around, up hills even with the AC on. It also has a fantastic 3 in 1 stereo system with 6 speakers. It stands a little higher off the ground, especially for a small car, which is very helpful in this era of SUVs. I am a large person, and the Echo fits me well, with plenty of head room and no need for a seatbelt extender. I also find the dashboard set up (with the MPH in the center of the dash) to be easier to read than peering through the steering wheel, and I love all the additional spaces built in to the dash.

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  Echo is a great little car - 2001 Toyota Echo
  By txdotbill - February 3 - 10:00 am

  The whole look of the Echo is unconventional. I have had my son note that kids his age turn to look at it as we pass. It is a car with a surprising amount of pickup, manueverability and emergency speed capabilities than I ever expected of a 4 cylinder car. While I have noted a slight handling problem in high winds but didnt expect SUV handling in a sub-compact. My tall friends have remarked how roomy the car is and the interior appointments are great. I got it loaded including a cruise control and would trade it for nothing in a comparable range. The gas mileage is great and helps the economy of my 154 mile per day commute.

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  great grocery getter - 1996 Toyota Camry
  By AR1 - February 3 - 10:00 am

  I have had this car for about 3 years and it has been great. There have been no real problems with it other than normal wear. I plan on keeping the car for a long time as long as it keeps running the way that it does. I have about 85,000 miles and it runs just great.

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  Best Car for the Money - 2004 Toyota Corolla
  By skiprjim - February 3 - 5:03 am

  I love this car I have had it for almost 3yrs and I am the original owner.I plan on driving it to the ground.Do not compare it with hyundais or kias there is no comparison in long term reliability.

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  New to Toyota - 2013 Toyota RAV4
  By nicolelyn19 - February 3 - 1:26 am

  I just purchased a new Rav4 last month and so far I am very happy with this purchase. It is very comfortable and has many great features.

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  Great used buy - 2005 Toyota Tundra
  By CavMan - February 2 - 8:13 am

  Purchased truck with 65,500 miles on it and replaced two small dash bulbs and compass, but extended warranty took care of that. Other than that, the dash will rattle a little when cold, but truck is VERY sound. Power is very much still there with the 4.7 V8. I owned a (NEW) 2004 Chevy Suburban 4x4 and had 14 problems within 18 months of purchase. Ill definitely buy another Tundra!