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:

• 

  A good city commuter - 2012 Toyota Prius c
  By fpm1 - March 12 - 7:48 am

  Our PC2 is our second Prius. Bought a 2002 Prius new. I like the 2002 more, even though the PC2s improved technology is nice. Our 2002 Prius feels more solid with more power. Its MPG improved to the mid-40s when Toyota replaced the hybrid battery at no cost. I bought the PC2 because I wanted a small hybrid to drive around Honolulu, not a full size Prius.

• 

  Best of 2007 - 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser
  By Legends - March 11 - 9:03 pm

  The FJ lives up to all the press. One top tester said it was the best of 2007. The FJ drives like a $35,000 sedan on the highway and performs off road like a $30,000 jeep. And it looks like a $40,000 SUV. The 4x2 gets good (21-24) MPG.

• 

  a great SUV - 2001 Toyota 4Runner
  By brian - March 11 - 4:56 pm

  This 4Runner is much more sound than the 01 Yukon I had previously. It is quiet, and reliable.

• 

  Must be a lemon - 2017 Toyota Highlander
  By Joseph - March 11 - 6:01 am

  I purchased the 17 Highlander xle for my wife and the dealer has had the vehicle and put more miles on it than we have . It had a vibration and noise coming from the front end when making left turns . I was called into the dealer 3 different times to recreate the noise for them . The part they said was no good had to be ordered from Japan and they couldnt give me an eta . 22 days later still no word . I would wait until they get parts issues handled before you purchase this car . Interior quality is great but I wouldnt know because I had the car for 5 days before I took it back

• 

  Love it - 2008 Toyota RAV4
  By dalmar - March 10 - 7:56 pm

  We bought a Honda crv first and in our opinion the 2008 Honda CRV can not compare with the Toyota. It has a great comfortable interior and has extras the Honda does not. Roof rack, hands free dialing and a unbelievable comfortable seat. Leg room is excellent and even the back seat has lots of leg room.

• 

  Good SUV - 2008 Toyota Highlander
  By cheng ming li - March 10 - 6:10 pm

  Its a nice SUV, fun to drive and good reliability. The performance is good. The redesigned interior are better fit people needs.

• 

  Gas Milage not so great - 2007 Toyota Corolla
  By Randy - March 10 - 1:06 am

  I have owned my toyota for about a month I traded in a 4x4 ford F150 with a huge V8 for this little nimble toyota corolla I was getting about 17 miles to the gallon in the truck I drive from Ohio to Alabama every other weekend and the Truck was killing me in gas. I bought the toyota corolla to help ease the pain of my pocket book in fuel cost. I have about 2500 miles on my toyota now and I am a bit disapointed in the fuel economy I have gotten only 33 miles to the gallon on the highway and as little as 24 miles to the gallon in the city very unhappy with that wondered if I should have just kept the big gas hog fo the difference in the milage I thought I would get. Overall I like the car.

• 

  Easy Ride and Practical - 2007 Toyota Corolla
  By Blal - March 9 - 11:46 pm

  This is my first new car ever, my previous car was a Nissan Maxima handed down from my mother. I really wanted something reliable and fuss free and I think I got exactly that with the Corrolla. The drive is pretty smooth and easy although pick-up on the highway is above average not as powerful as perhaps other cars in the same class. The interior is nice and plush and I like the extra detailing of the wood accents that come with the LE model. There are some minus points however, the buttons for the audio system are set too far away from the driver, especially if you have shorter arms, no controls on the steering wheel like Honda Civic.

• 

  Tundra doesnt drive straight - 2013 Toyota Tundra
  By thomasntexas - March 9 - 6:23 pm

  Its been a nightmare with this 2013 Tundra TSS since the day I bought it. First the toyota dealer gave me a horrible trade in on my old car and way overcharged for the TSS I bought once I did more investigation. I wouldnt suggest this truck, its been in the shop 3 times with front alignment issues and eating tires after just 15K miles. Everytime I take it to the dealership it comes back worse than when I took it in, I was also hit with a surprise, at 30K miles the truck is due for a major service costing between $300-400! I was not told that when I was buying the truck. The gas milage is also oversold, I was suppose to get 19 mpg in the city its more like 12 mpg, total gas hog.

• 

  Love my new 2011 Camry LE! - 2011 Toyota Camry
  By ericklaseca - March 9 - 4:10 pm

  The Toyota Camry LE drives like and looks like a luxury car. The manual/automatic transmission is ingenious and useful. The trunk is huge as is the interior cabin. You feel like youre riding on a cloud and theres no road or engine noise.