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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  Love my Prius - 2007 Toyota Prius
  By Julie L. - February 10 - 10:20 am

  This car is so fun to drive. Its quiet and has a smooth ride. I love the display screen on the console that displays current tank of gas mileage, has the radio and DC player controls, AC, and other features. The car has plenty of pick-up speed to pass other cars on the highway, though doing this often will certainly decrease gas mileage.

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  The Corrola that beats Mustangs - 1995 Toyota Corolla
  By Jerome - February 10 - 10:00 am

  I love this car. Jerome(the car) has been the most reliable, gas efficient, fun to drive car I have ever driven.

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  NEED MORE HYBRIDS! - 2002 Toyota Prius
  By Atlanta Sparky - February 10 - 10:00 am

  I have owned my 2002 Prius 6 mo and over 6000 miles. It is quieter than my Buick, fun to drive, gets extremely good mileage, is very comfortable, environmental and is an ideal everyday commuter vehicle. I am most impressed with the overall quality of the experience of driving a quiet, efficient, environmental and relaxing car back and forth to work every day. This little car is the ideal vehicle for the urban American! I see no disadvantages for the hybrid approach in a regular vehicle and it has numerous advantages over the conventional gas vehicle.

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  The #1 Car!!! - 2001 Toyota Celica
  By Emon Saee - February 10 - 10:00 am

  its a really awsome car!!!

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  The BEST - 2001 Toyota Celica
  By Shekar - February 10 - 10:00 am

  Well.. This is my first car, but I have driven many others. This one is the best. The steering is smooth, can be controled with a finger. Pick-up is fantastic. Spacious for 2. No machinical problems yet.

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  the thing is a truck - 2001 Toyota 4Runner
  By ryan536653 - February 10 - 10:00 am

  ok so the design is getting old but why ruin a thing thats going so good, its reliable it can take a punishment and you can build it up looking real nice. the only thing it need is more hp nut then you can just get a trd supercharger for that.

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  Everything I thought it would be. Great - 2000 Toyota Avalon
  By sim davenport - February 10 - 10:00 am

  I have driven my 2000 Avalon for 2 1/2 years and have 72,000 miles on it. I have not had any defect at all show up and the performance has been great. Obviously, I thought it was a great looking car or I wouldnt have purchased it. Who needs Cadillac or Lexus when you have the Avalon!

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  Pretty Happy So Far - 2002 Toyota RAV4
  By Okay in KY - February 10 - 10:00 am

  Overall, we really like our Rav4. My wife is the main driver. She wanted something smaller than a van, but still wanted to sit higher than a car. Im still trying to get used to the arrangement of the dash. The speedometer is in a large circle to the left. ( I look for it in the middle.) The tach is smaller and in the middle. The fuel gauge and the temp gauge are in a large circle to the right. The front bumper/grill seems mostly plastic/vinyl. The rear bumper is almost nonexistant. There are two narrow "bumps" - one on each side. Nothing in the middle because of the spare tire. So far, the rattles have not been bad.

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  Swan Lake - 2002 Toyota Highlander
  By Maharaja - February 10 - 10:00 am

  This truely is a dream like machine. Perfect quality, not a single blemish, not a problem in the 1st 6,700 miles we have driven, great snow traction, a head turner as you drive, a joy. Interior, console and trim are what you expect in a pricier Lexus. I read that Toyota uses the same suppliers as the Lexus. Our choice between the roomier Acura MDX ($3K more) and Highlander. Our Honda Accord experience was so bad that we decided go for the Quality leader. MDX reviews say Transmission Clunks and windows/sunroofs leak. I am glad we stuck with Toyota.

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  Love - Hate relationship - 2007 Toyota Yaris
  By love/haterealtionshp - February 10 - 9:53 am

  Ive had my Yaris for a little over a year and a half. Amazing gas mileage one of the things I love, its got quite a lot of oomph when you want it. I think its probably best as a tuner car. I dont recommend it as a family sedan though, unless you have snow tires on it, it slides everywhere in the winter, the cars too light for decent winter driving. Also Im expecting and am very afraid to put my child in the car, Ive seen them get totaled at 15 mph. As much as I do love this little car, I hate it at the same time, wish it was safer. As it stands with a little one on the way Im searching for something else. Itll make me sad to see it go, but I gotta do whats best for my family.