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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  New owner of import - 2009 Toyota Camry
  By Zotos - February 7 - 10:30 am

  Ive had the car a week and enjoy the ride very much. I traded up from a 99 Saturn SL1 that had 211,000 miles on it. The Camry is very comfortable and a great ride. I was a little disappointed in spending $60 for a fill-up after spending barely $30 before. But thats the price of a larger tank. Interior is straight forward, nothing fancy. Buttons logically placed.

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  Great Family Traveling Vehicle - 2008 Toyota Sequoia
  By Mike - February 7 - 7:10 am

  I have a 92 Camry that I bought new 16 yrs ago and a 99 Sienna I bought new 9 yrs ago so I expected the Sequoia to be another "quality" Toyota and, 1,100 miles into this new vehicle, I have not been disappointed. We have driven through the Appalachian mountains twice and it rides wonderfully. With three growing children and a lot of long trips planned we wanted something bigger than the Sienna for these trips. Over a 6-month period I evaluated the Navigator and Armada and had to go with the Sequoia due to my personal experience with Toyota quality the past 16 years. We look forward to getting at least ten years out of this vehicle.

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  the best car I have ever owned! - 2006 Toyota Avalon
  By Tac, NY - February 7 - 6:53 am

  I purchased this car after reading Edmonds reviews and looking at the car in a car dealer. I used to drive Toyota and the last car I had was Mercedes. I have seen some poor ratings of Avalon in Edmonds but I have not seen any problems with my Avalon. The mileage of the car is currently 1400 ml. I love the smooth and quiet riding with a lot of extra HP.

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  Awesome must have. - 2006 Toyota Camry Solara
  By michelle - February 6 - 2:20 pm

  This is a nice luxury car. I took some friends out this weekend. My girl friend and I sat up front and had the men sit in the back. My girl friends husband is 64 hes a former San Antonio Spurs basketball player he was so impressed with all the room in the back of my car. Sitting next to my husband they had nothing to complain about. For the 1st time the the laugh was on them. This is car makes it own statement. "Awesome"

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  Amazing car all around - 2004 Toyota Matrix
  By Michael - February 6 - 1:14 pm

  Ive never owned a car I liked better. In fact, when the time came to upsize to a mini-van, I traded in my newer Honda Civic which had a lot fewer miles. The Matrix had proven itself a better car all around. This car very comfort for someone under 6 feet tall. Its robust, has tons of cargo space and gets good gas milage 27-28 mpg hwy. I use mine to commute 50 miles to work everyday and another 50 miles back home.

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  Great ride! - 2005 Toyota Camry
  By Camry #3 - February 6 - 11:06 am

  For the money, nothing beats the Camry for quality, reliability, practicality, and efficiency. We also considered the 2005 Accord EX. The Honda looked sportier, but once we sat in the Camry, it just felt like home. We have owned an 88 Camry V6, and 96 Camry LE-4cyl. They have all been great cars, and I look forward to enjoying this one just the same. I highly recommend this car. The past two have been easy to operate and maintain.

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  1998 Rav4 L - 1998 Toyota RAV4
  By jackdave - February 5 - 8:16 pm

  Just needs Captn chair arms for both the Driver and Psgr.!

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  2007 Toyota Avalon Limited - 2007 Toyota Avalon
  By bojacm - February 5 - 4:26 pm

  This vehicle rides nice on a smooth road, however on a rough road with ruts, it follows the ruts and somewhere there is a rattle that is intermittent. If the wind is blowing, it wants to blow off the road with the wind. Sometimes I feel like a bobble head doll. The headliner is not flush with the back window and they have tried to fix it twice but now say it is in tolorance of their complaints. Paint is so soft, you cannot wash it without spider web scratches. Window wipers are so flimsy they leave streaks on the window right in the sight range and it is very distracting. Service rep said to use Rain X to have clean windshield.

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  Maybe a CR-V would make me happier - 2011 Toyota RAV4
  By juand1 - February 5 - 1:31 pm

  I bought this 3 weeks ago and have driven it 4000 miles. Here are my grips: My arms and hands hurt at the end of every day of driving, high steering effort. Three spoke steering wheel blocks the most convenient hand placement to rest hands. Car skidding (Slip or VSC off) and Trac Off warning lights occassionally illuminate when driving on dry, level pavement. Trac Off light stays on till the car is turned off. VSC turns on and off randomly. Seats not comfortable. Crap radio on base model. SUV handling. Swinging tailgate inconvenient. Fit&Finish not up to Toyota. A bit noisy. High brake pedal effort, i hope it to subsides w/ break-in.

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  The Best - 1993 Toyota Camry
  By T H - February 5 - 10:00 am

  Awesome car! great steering! awesome milage! A/c, radio, cd, tape/cassette, seats everything! is great!