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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  Its a 4Rr thing... - 2008 Toyota 4Runner
  By T4R4ME - January 10 - 9:56 pm

  Shopped around for the perfect used 2008, 4WD with V6. Although these are bulletproof each has its own unique feel based on the previous owners driving habits. Love the look, driving is effortless, peppy off the line and around town. Nice seats and support. Engine purrs. Some strange noises here and there from time to time underneath with all the T-case, diffs and 4WD parts doing their thing. Purchased in KY from an automall there and the dealer treated me well. Thanks to Edmunds buying used is a new informed experience in 2010.

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  2007 Toyota Avalon Limited - 2007 Toyota Avalon
  By Marvh - January 10 - 5:33 pm

  Love the car, hate having Toyota as my mom. The limitation of the navigation system are stupid. Having to acknowledge "I accept" everytime you start the car is ridiculous. But even more annoying is that your passengers cannot program the nav system while the car is in motion. Driving down the road with my wife we decide we want to get something to eat. Toyota makes you pull to the side of the freeway and stop (endangering life and property) and then do your navigation. By the time you work this out you can drive through most towns and find a place to eat without the navigation system. The lack of an aux input for the stereo system in this day and age is just plain dumb.

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  ELITEST - 2001 Toyota Highlander
  By hot12dog - January 10 - 9:46 am

  My 2001 highlander is the best car i have ever owned and i have bought cars for almost 60 years. As far as the engine light is concerned forget about it it, can not be fixed all you are doing is throwing money away. After wasting about $500 i realized that its a factory mistake that Toyota will not fix for that i may not buy a Toyota next time.

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  Pretty Descent - 1997 Toyota T100
  By Mooker - January 9 - 10:00 am

  My toyota has been a good little truck the only thing that has been wrong on it the brakes are not all that good and there has been a check engine sensor gone bad on it that the dealership wants 350$ dollars to fix it and that is out of the world . the truck overall i rate it at a 8.5 the truck is alsome fun to drive good power gas mileage could be a little bit better but all and all great all the way

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  1994 4runner - 1994 Toyota 4Runner
  By ambrown - January 9 - 10:00 am

  I work on a lot of job sites where Im there before the road and this is the perfect vehicle. It is fairly comfortable and I can pack in a large amount of equipment. The ground clearance is great too.

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  Good for this type of SUV - 1995 Toyota 4Runner
  By Shellina1 - January 9 - 10:00 am

  This SUV is tops in look and comfort. However, I agree that if you are looking for a car-like ride this is not the SUV for you. The ride is much like a truck. Larger,wider tires are a good option. The engine reliability and fuel economy are great in this class. The towing is not great, but the room to travel is great.

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  Matrix the swiss army knife of cars - 2004 Toyota Matrix
  By TRD fan - January 9 - 10:00 am

  The Toyota Matrix has to be one of the best Toyotas Ive owned. I have had sports cars, trucks, everything and this car seems to cover each of those vehicles needs perfectly. Its fast and fun as a daily driver, and gas mileage is excellent. Interior space is cavernous on the Matrix. I purchased an 8 Live Oak tree and fit it w/out bending into my Matrix with the hatchback fully closed! Enough said regarding that issue. Exterior wise, this car is very sleek and gives just a little hint of aggression in its lines. Very nice... Overall, you get a sports car, a truck, and a Toyota all in one.

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  Great truck - 2004 Toyota Tundra
  By Archie Bowers - January 9 - 1:07 am

  The bad first : this thing drinks plenty of gas ! Now the good : bought spanking new in 2004. After 225,000 km Fluid changes, brakes, 3 rd set of Michelins, and a pricey right front bushing sealed unit. Thats it ! Reliable, good looking, lots of space. This thing will go for another 10 years and another 225,000 easily and ill bet reliably. What a great truck. Nicest ive owned to date and ive had plenty ! Cant figure why to change up to a new truck when this one owes me nothing, still looks fresh, and rides beautifully with 5 fully retracting windows incl. full rear window drop down, and a nice size moon roof. The big 3 cant offer that in a new truck for 50, 60, even 70 thousand $.

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  1999 Camry CE 286K - 1999 Toyota Camry
  By smprescott2010 - January 8 - 2:47 pm

  I have a 1999 4cyl CE that now has 286K and runs very well. Recently replaced the timing belt and gaskets as it started leaking pretty bad. I recently drove it from Wisconsin to California and back with no problems. Toyota did a great job with this vehicle!

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  Toyota Hybrids still rule - 2005 Toyota Prius
  By Owner of Two Hybrids - January 7 - 10:30 pm

  Excellent car except for expectation of better mileage has been a miserable failure. We also own a 2002 Prius and its mileage per gallon is close to the Prius 04. Both average between 37 to 41 miles per gallon. The 2002 has about 20,000 miles, while the 2004 has just under 10,000. Sharp turning radius is great. Steering and suspension the best of any car Ive ever owned. Its too bad the rating is so far off and is still being used on the new window stickers.