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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  05 SE 4WD V6 AT w/28k miles - 2005 Toyota 4Runner
  By Greg - February 15 - 5:00 am

  I own 3 Toyotas (00,05,06). This is my second 4Runner. I now have 28k miles. The V6 is plenty of power for all uses including towing my 2500# job trailer. I average 19.8 mpg combined Hwy/City. It handles nice, is silky smooth, but it is on a truck platform so after 150-200 miles you need to get out and walk. If you drive a lot of HWY miles you might consider a Highlander, Sequoia or even the Honda Pilot. I got the 4runner over the Pilot because of looks but sometimes I wonder about my decision after long trips. If you drive a lot of off road and local, the 4Runner is a great choice. I hope the brakes are as good as my 2000 4Runner as they have lasted 103k and still have 40% lining left!

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  Nuchs Camry - 1997 Toyota Camry
  By John - February 15 - 4:23 am

  This is a great car that i will drive until it dies... take care of it and it will take care of you

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  Good solid fun convertible - 1996 Toyota Celica
  By - February 15 - 2:00 am

  Fun and reliable . . . says it all.

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  Overall, a great car - 2002 Toyota Avalon
  By Rebecca - February 15 - 2:00 am

  Overall, I am loving this car. The ride is smooth, the car is quiet and the amenities are wonderful. I really like all of the safety features, between the front and side curtain airbags, the vehicle skid control and the assisted braking, I truly feel safe in this car. I also appreciate the reliability of a Toyota product.

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  Safety outweighs fun! - 1997 Toyota Corolla
  By DrPhil321 - February 15 - 2:00 am

  Its 2010 and I got this car over a year ago, has 70,000 miles. No problems! Looks old, and Im 62" so its hard to fit in it. The A/C also poor. This is a point A to point B car.

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  best car Ive driven - 2002 Toyota Celica
  By jayGT-S - February 15 - 2:00 am

  This car is a blast to own. Loved it the first time I layed eyes on it, and even when I road it. Very responsive at high rpms but can also quiet and smooth at low.

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  Camry - 1996 Toyota Camry
  By Donnie - February 15 - 2:00 am

  Good dependable, reliable vehicle. Quick! Border line sporty.

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  Camry - 1996 Toyota Camry
  By donnie - February 15 - 2:00 am

  Good dependable, reliable vehicle. Quick! Border line sporty.

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  Excellent vehicle for any size family - 2000 Toyota Sienna
  By Keeb - February 15 - 2:00 am

  The Sienna LE is an outstanding vehicle for any size family. I love all the room, it handles very nicely and goes from slow to fast quickly. It is not sluggish, which you might expect from a minivan. This vehicle is considered a luxury vehicle to our family. Cons: The sloping front makes it difficult to determine where your front end is, I bumped into curbs a lot; still, that could just be me, I loved the Sienna.

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  Tacoma Tuff - 2001 Toyota Tacoma
  By Justin Doyle - February 15 - 2:00 am

  I have a 2001 SR5 with a 5 speed and 2.4 liter motor. I have used it for work everyday I have had it. I have routinely overloaded it to the point it has sat almost to the floor and yet it takes it day in and day out. I actually blew the transmission at 59,900 because of excessive loading and drove the truck to the dealership. The dealership said you dont have any gears left they are gone where is the tow truck? I told them I drove it here and they simply didnt believe me. Once that one major repair was done the new trans has taken even more abuse and the clutch only has 195,000 on it for day to day hauling and the occasional red line shift just for fun. What a great truck!