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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  2007 Toyota Tundra - 2007 Toyota Tundra
  By Shakey077 - February 25 - 2:20 pm

  This truck is amazing! Picked it up on Saturday so only have 120 miles so far. Got the cloth bucket seats, 6 disc in dash, TRD off road package.The ride, while a bit bumpy on So Cal freeways is not bad. Its a truck. It isnt supposed to ride like a Camry. Love everything. MPG is what I expected from a truck. Very comfortable, huge center console, storage everywhere. This is one truck I am going to love driving this for years.

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  Relax and enjoy - 2008 Toyota Prius
  By jimbryan - February 25 - 2:00 pm

  OK, I have 2 big BMW gas hogs, an X5 and a 545iA. Both are superb cars, but both egg you on to drive fast and aggressively. And both are overkill for trips to the grocery store, and a 7 mile commute to work. With the Prius, you feel relaxed driving, it eggs you to relax and take it easy. When the engine shuts off at a stoplight, I lose the angst of waiting at the light. This is a fantastic car for around town and short trips, it really works beautifully. The cargo space is also amazing, it holds almost as much as the X5 (not that the X5 is a big cargo vehicle), and on top of that are the very useful storage areas all over.

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  Rattles in back windows - 2008 Toyota Camry Solara
  By RS - February 25 - 11:03 am

  My retirement car after looking at many convertibles. Love the car with the top down, but hate it with the top up because of the rattles in the back side windows, especially the passenger side). On bumps or rough roads, the window sounds like it is going to fall out of track. It started when I drove it off of the dealership lot and I was assured it would be fixed, but after several attempts to fix it, including shims being put in the back side window and a tear in the headliner while trying to fix it, I have now been told by the dealership and Toyota Corp. that there is nothing that can be done, that it is problem with this model. A $32,000 car and nothing can be done!

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  terrific car -- why buy newer model - 2011 Toyota Avalon
  By james glass - February 25 - 4:58 am

  Great car; changed model in 2013, but this version much better. Love the Car!

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  Feels like Heaven! - 2006 Toyota Corolla
  By Deb - February 24 - 3:03 pm

  I purchased the Corolla with the sport package and could not be happier. Since purchasing the vehicle I have received numerous compliments and even asked out on a few dates...lol. This car handles the mountain wonderfully and is a joy to drive!

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  Love It! - 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By Happy as a Clam - February 24 - 12:50 pm

  I absolutely love this car. I realize that Toyota has taken a beating lately with recalls but I still feel its one of the best cars on the road. Gas mileage is terrific - getting very close to 40 mpg average and this is checking it with a calculator not relying on the gauge. The interior is plush - I do however have a loaded model. Incidentally I disagree with the Edmunds statement that an Altima has a nicer interior. I looked at them as well as the Ford Fusion and felt both had inferior interiors and neither Fords or the Altimas gas engine was as quiet as the Camry. Its quiet, solid very comfortable for long trips. I would heartily recommend this car to anyone.

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  Poor Quality in a Corolla - 2004 Toyota Corolla
  By merh - February 24 - 12:26 pm

  My family has owned Toyotas for as long as I can remember. We had a great 1984 corolla that lasted FOREVER, over 200,000. My 2004 corolla however is not match. I am rolling up on 100,000 miles and had more small problems that I can stand. So far in the a 6ish years that I have had the car, I have had to replace the serpentine belt twice and the pulley system once. To add insult to injury, the belt started squeaking again with in a year of it being replaced! The lights on the gear shift are burnt out and Ive had to have the window pulley system replaced. The steering wheel is too recessed in the dash. Toyota made the car more "lux" but definitely skimped on the quality. It feels cheap!

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  does everything we need - 2003 Toyota Sequoia
  By hbs - February 24 - 10:00 am

  We traded in a 2002 BWW 330i. I realy thought I would miss that car, it was so fun to drive, all the salesmen on the lot thought we were nuts. With a baby on the way we felt we needed more room. It says a lot that I dont realy miss that car.

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  You will never buy another car! - 2003 Toyota Camry Solara
  By roff_5 - February 24 - 10:00 am

  I finally got the one I really wanted for a long time. Best car to drive! Quiet, smooth, luxurious, good horses (not best though),its loaded with options I really feel happy driving it to work and to home every day. You can bearly hear noise on a highway, not even your car engine! The only noise would be the L/R turn signal...if you know what i really mean. This baby is like the perfect girl who never raises her voice with you! With a decent "black belt" V6 engine, shes a beauty who is quiet and elegant. What else can you ask?

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  My Race Car - 2004 Toyota Matrix
  By THX1138 - February 24 - 10:00 am

  Thats what my wife calls it anyway. It handles very well. The higher seat position exaggerates the feeling of lean in a turn. It stops very well. Brakes feel is good. The engine is loud above 3500rpm and pulls strongly from about 3k. It rides quietly in 6th. You can shift early and putter around quietly or you can rev it and hear the roar. This car will move if you want it to. The 6 speed shifts nicely. The throws are short and precise. The dead pedal is a little closer than Id like. The seating position is otherwise fine for me. Visibility is good. Ride is a little stiffer than my wifes 98 Civic, but still good enough for me with 17" wheels.