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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  This is FUN to drive!! - 2010 Toyota RAV4
  By Ron Klein - March 25 - 12:56 pm

  This is my 1st SUV in many years, but it wont be my last. Previous vehicle was a 2000 Avalon that easily moved past the 100,000 mile mark. The 3rd generation RAV is actually pretty good sized. This vehicle is so much fun to drive. The V-6 sounds great and is really "hot", but fairly economical. A great sound system is enhanced by the access to XM Satellite radio. The solid safety rating (including being surrounded by airbags) is comforting. The Smart Key system has you lamenting the fact that you have to use a key to open your front door in just a few days! I live in a hilly area, but the AWD got around in 7" of fresh snow like it was July.

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  Happy Story with a Certified Used car - 1999 Toyota 4Runner
  By P D Fowlkes - March 25 - 12:53 pm

  The 4Runner is an old design, so its ride could be smoother, but it is very quiet and comfortable on the hiway. This is my first Toyota, and I now see why their sales are increasing so rapidly. We bought it as a Certified Used Car with 41K on it, we now have 56K, havent had a reason to take it back to the dealer.

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  Small and Cute - 1999 Toyota Corolla
  By Amorphis - March 25 - 10:00 am

  Its been good to me despite the abuse. Its small but comfortable, and cheap for a Toyota, I trust it will last for a long time. I had a 90 corolla before and it was a good car also, thats why I decided to stick with corollas.

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  Who says this car isnt nice looking! - 2001 Toyota Corolla
  By shecky - March 25 - 10:00 am

  Anyone who thinks this car isnt nice looking is fooling themselves. It is very respectable and not over the top like some other cars (cough cough, 2003 corolla). The automatic is a bit slow but the interior and exterior are amazing.

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  Random Fire in the Cylinders - 2001 Toyota Corolla
  By terriblydisappointed - March 25 - 10:00 am

  I am disappointed with my Corolla. The engine light has come on 3 times with an error code of P30 (random misfiring in the cylinders). I have had it serviced 2 times and they have turned off the light..sluffing it off as nothing. Now the engine light has come on for a third time and it runs really rough. Not only has my Toyota Corolla CE failed my expectations for reliability..it has failed my expectations for servicing.

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  Matrix XRS.... Awesome - 2003 Toyota Matrix
  By JTorresJR - March 25 - 10:00 am

  Ive owned my Matrix for almost 2 months now.. and the car is awesome... my previous car was a 1994 Acura Integra GSR... Although the Acura was a "sportier" car... the matrix doesnt fall behind at all... sure, the acceleration was quicker in the Acura, but not by much, and if you factor in comfort, style and the snazzy 6th gear... the Matrix comes out on top... its no slouch, the 1/4 mile a respectable 15.6@91. the car seats 5 comfortably, and had more headroom than needed... If you need to carry something, the Matrix can handle the task well, giving some amazing room with the 2 rear seats folding to a 60/40 position...

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  Awesome SUV - 2002 Toyota Sequoia
  By tdub0928 - March 25 - 10:00 am

  Very quite ride. Simply fun to drive Pretty easy access to third row of seats

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  Nice looks, bad personality. - 2003 Toyota Corolla
  By tlbkcal - March 25 - 10:00 am

  I saw the new Corolla and immediately fell in love with the new exterior. It looks like and looks even better than a Jetta. However, I test drove it, and thats where the loving ended and the fear began. The car has no handles and when I drove over a bridge with grooves, the car started to shake and waddle. I had to hold on to the steering wheel real tight to keep it in control. Also, the suspensions are horrible, the ride was extremely bumpy. I drove over the exact same road while test driving a Camry and felt nothing. But if youre more into looks, go with the Corolla, otherwise, its just an overrate hot selling car.

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  Slight step backwards in quality - 2003 Toyota Corolla
  By Marcalan - March 25 - 10:00 am

  This is my second Corolla (first was a 1996 DX). In some respects, the 2003 LE lacks the quality of the 1996 model. The car is too high off the ground and seating position is too high as well. Turning corners aggresively feels insecure. Car tends to track gooves in the road. Some of the knobs and switches are cheap and flimsy (especially trunk and fuel filler cap release). Cheap looking, fake wood trim and chrome accents.

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  Go Get One - 2009 Toyota Yaris
  By Coach Rob - March 25 - 9:33 am

  So far so Good! Very impressive pep for such a small car. Runs smooth at 80 or at 18mph. Also this little car turns on a dime! Really fun to drive! Reasonably quiet ride on decent road surfaces. A tiny bit more roady and harsh on bumps but what do you expect on a small wheel base car. Love the center dash display (except) the fuel gauge, odometer and accessory lights such as engine temp and light on indicators. Should be enlarged by at least one font size. It would be a bad thing if your engine over heat light comes on but the darn indicator bulb is so tiny that you never see it. Love the over-all appearance of the Yaris over anything else out their in this same size class of car.