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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  GPS Problems - 2011 Toyota Sienna
  By Patricia M Johnson - April 21 - 7:10 pm

  After a month of unsuccessfully trying to use the gps to find motels, gas stations and other points of interest, we ask Toyota why the touch screen buttons become dimmed and inoperable when we are driving. Toyota just informed us today, that it is a safety feature, which cannot be turned off. You must stop the vehicle, put it into park to access the points of interest information. The owners manual, and the gps manual do not discuss this major oversight in design. We would never have purchased the xle with gps had we known the gps would not work when you are moving.

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  Gotta love it! - 2007 Toyota RAV4
  By Jimbo - April 21 - 11:16 am

  Have only had 1 week after trading in my 2003 Rav4. What a change! Love the V6 from the old sewing machine 2 Litre. Nice layout from the dash to seats. Bravo Toyota! Even the base stereo deserves a 10 compared to the 2003. Love the moonroof, with hopes of a suntan on the ole cueball.

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  You gotta love it - 2005 Toyota Tacoma
  By Bob - April 21 - 8:10 am

  I have been driving it for a little more than 2 weeks. Handles so much better than the older Toyotas. More room, power. love the access doors, getting 26 miles to gallon. The new bed liner is great with the tye down very nice. The ride is better than most cars very smooth. New dash lay out is great very easy to see all the extras, the chrome make for a nice touch on the interior. Last is how quiet the ride is as long as the fan is off, the fan still makes too much noise.

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  4Runner - 2004 Toyota 4Runner
  By bchbum03 - April 21 - 5:56 am

  I couldnt love a car more, its a solid and smooth driving SUV. I have owned several and this is by far my favorite. I was thinking of trading it in but cant find anything that drives as smoothly for the same price.

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  Incredible Car - 2004 Toyota Celica
  By Stasie - April 21 - 2:00 am

  I have had my car for almost two years and I cant seem to keep my hands off of it. It is fun to drive, extremly comfy, looks great, handles great, has low gas miledge, and could be very easy to "fix up" if thats what youre into.

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  Worth The Wait - 2004 Toyota Prius
  By mostly harmless - April 21 - 2:00 am

  Waited 6 months to get it but it was worth every second of it. Performance is very good, has a great cool factor. Getting about 51 MPG on mostly backroads with hills. What can I say, I love it.

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  Camry Love - 1999 Toyota Camry
  By tsmythe - April 21 - 2:00 am

  I have been in love with my Camry since the day that I drove it off the sales lot. Being a single female, I needed reliable transportation and the Camry has delivered. Best of all its fun to drive! Unfortunately I was recently hit by a Semi truck on the Interstate at 62 mph but my Camry saved my life! Talk about a car that held it together. For safety sake, this is a car that I trust my life on. My next car and the one after that will be a Camry. What a car!

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  New 2005 Tacoma owner - 2005 Toyota Tacoma
  By fisherdave - April 21 - 2:00 am

  We traded in our 2000 Tacoma on the new 2005. The differences are dramatic. Larger & more comfortable cabin – particularly the new seats are very much appreciated. The ride is much improved, even with the TRD pkg. The rear doors are a big improvement. The new 6-cylinder engine really gets out and moves this truck. It’s too new to give much info on fuel economy, but on paper it gets nearly the same as our 2000 Pre-runner w/a 4 cylinder. The one thing that I do miss is the “grab handle above the passenger’s door. It’s a very sharp looking truck !!

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  Update after 13,000 miles - 2004 Toyota Camry
  By Whib - April 21 - 2:00 am

  We bought our Camry LE in Feb. and truly "broke it in" according to the manual. On 2900 mile trip afterwards averaged just over 32 mpg.(Including city driving). Now have 13,000 trouble free miles & avg. better. This car has no rattles, squeaks, ect. It is comfortable and a pleasure to drive. Some say its handling is boring. My sister owns a 2001 Honda Accord EX. Around town our Camry is everybit as enjoyable, if not more so. On the open road the smoother ride more than makes up for a touch less handling in curves. - The build quality, interior materials and refinement make us feel like we own a much more expensive car.

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  GREAT! - 2005 Toyota Camry
  By CamryLover - April 21 - 2:00 am

  GREAT! BEST BUY EVER!