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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  Wonderful to drive!! - 2004 Toyota Sienna
  By GingerSandy - January 24 - 10:00 am

  I had never owend a van or driven one before owning this one. It has been a wonderful experience and the dealership was always helpful. Everything is very compact and readily within reach. I would definitely own another van.

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  Great Mini Van - 2004 Toyota Sienna
  By Betsy58f - January 24 - 10:00 am

  After 6 Plymouth/odge and 1 Ford Windstar minivans, this one is the VERY BEST!!

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  Camry - 2004 Toyota Camry
  By JFlynn - January 24 - 10:00 am

  Very roomy, extremely smooth ride. Great stereo system.

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  TOYOTA FAMILY - 2004 Toyota Camry
  By kidhillbilly - January 24 - 10:00 am

  My 7th Toyota, this 2004 CamryLE was bought as a primary work car for my wife, replacing a 1992 CamryLE which in twelve years and 180,000 miles has been the LEAST expensive car I have EVER owned for overall maintinance and operating expense. The 1992 remains in the driveway as a dependable second car. Our third car is a 1988 CorollaFX hatchback with 230,000 miles and still going strong. I have been a mechanic for over 35 years (never for a TOYOTA dealership) and can vouch for the dependability and reliability of this superior product!

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  So far, so good - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By clint - January 24 - 8:13 am

  OK, first of all I was really reluctant to buy after I read some of the posts here. However, I rented a Camry before I bought one to see if I could experience what people here experienced. In the rental I did experience the hesitation but nothing I couldnt live with. Overall I was impressed. I bought a new Camry after I rented one. I have experienced none of the bad experiences posted here. The car is performing well. The only slight problem is a vibration at 70mph, feels like an out of balance tire. I drove the car 600 miles in the last week and gas mileage averaged 26 mpg. strictly hwy was 31 mpg. So that is my experience.

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  My 2005 4Runner Review - 2005 Toyota 4Runner
  By Kimberly - January 24 - 4:56 am

  I have always liked the 4 Runners,so I bought an 05 in January.I really like the look and feel. Has lots of interior room and features. It runs very well with lots of power. I have already had problems with mine though. My sun roof got a glitch in the computer which was easily repaired. At 1,000 miles the rear brakes started making a groaning sound. I had one rear rotor replaced because it was glazed at 1K miles. I have taken it to my dealer 4 times for the brake noise. The last time I was told that ALL the 05 4Runners make that sound and that pretty much I would just have to deal with. I called 2 other dealers to ask if they have had that problem, one said yes the other said no.

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  The 2005 Taco - A very nice truck indeed - 2005 Toyota Tacoma
  By Bob S. - January 24 - 2:40 am

  A very nice small truck with a mid size truck feel. The power is vastly improved, I like the room in the cab.After my 1990 Toy, I experimented with a 99 Ranger 4WD - yuck, a 98 Mazda and a 98 Nissan. Its sure nice to get back to owning a Toyota!

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  Not the ride of my life - 2008 Toyota Avalon
  By Bruce Merda - January 23 - 6:13 pm

  Had an 03, loved it. From the specs the 08 should be even better. It is in every way except the ride. If youre on smooth blacktop fine, any other surface you will feel via the seat each tar strip, pavement crack, bump, and if you hit a hole... oh my! I drive 55 Ca. freeway miles a day. Hate the ride every mile. Suspension way too stiff for Toyotas luxury flagship, just jar & jolt. 17" wheels dont help either. 16" means more absorbing rubber and a softer ride. They need to quit trying to build cars to satisfy the specification desires of some auto magazines testers whose standards are usually race track handling, the biggest wheels & lots of hpwr. The Avalon isnt a sports car!

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  No Regrets - 2008 Toyota Tundra
  By Big Sky - January 23 - 8:53 am

  No other half ton can match this beast. From the style to every detail is what a modern day truck owner would want. My previous truck was a Nissan Titan. It was a decent truck until I got behind the wheel of a new Tundra. They pulled out all of the stops. Great job Toyota. Gas mileage is not bad, but hey its a truck not a hybrid. A+

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  Best car I ever bought - 1999 Toyota Camry Solara
  By travis aka superman - January 23 - 7:46 am

  My God I am so grateful for this car I had it for 4 yrs now. Bought it with 75,000 now have 185,000 from the Toyota dealership. Only problems Ive had is the starter, EGR valve, window motor, and a slight transmission leak but otherwise it have been a GREAT car. My goal is to get 400,000 miles out of this car.