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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  Good car, enjoying it! - 2004 Toyota Avalon
  By BHSK - October 6 - 10:00 am

  I researched many consumer websites before purchasing. I was wanting a spacious, reliable, comfortable driving car. I know others who have purchased the Avalon XLS in recent years that are also very satisfied. We recently took a trip and the car handled very smoothly and quietly on the interstate. I had been driving a Cadillac Sedan Deville prior to my purchase and was not happy getting only 18/24 MPG with that vechile, even with premium gas. Also had a number of repairs each year, and the Cadillac parts were very expensive (struts, suspension sensor light, etc). Thus far, it has been easy to see why Avalon has won many "best buy" consumer awards.

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  Fun at 40+ - 2003 Toyota Tacoma
  By airboss - October 6 - 10:00 am

  Plenty of power to pull my 17 foot boat in and out of the water. Big enough to haul and tow what I need and small enough to park anywhere and fit into my garage. It has the feel of a much larger truck and the quality and reputation of Toyota were big selling points for this purchase of my first Toyota.

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  satisfied - 2004 Toyota Sienna
  By samlm - October 6 - 10:00 am

  I made the right choice, this van is the greatest

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  Crossing The Country - 2004 Toyota 4Runner
  By Ralph - October 5 - 9:36 pm

  I have driven from New York to California during the summer of 2003, New York to Utah the summer of 2004 and New York to Arizona with a detour to Texas during the summer of 2005. The three trips were approximately 23,000 miles. The 4 Runner met every challenge through snow in the Rockies and 100 degree heat in Texas with power and class. The V8 had no peers! A beautiful truck inside and out!

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  Toyota Rav4 - 2005 Toyota RAV4
  By Her Toy - October 5 - 9:20 pm

  Terrific gas milege - very sporty, yet smooth comfortable ride. A coworker, who was my passenger asked if the Rav4 was a V-6 because of the exceptional pick up. Far better visibility than Honda CRV - vertually no blind spots. Lots of toys - stereo/CD player controls also located on steering wheel for ease in changing from one to the other. Excellent sound too. Lots of room - rear seats fold up and out - many compartments for storage 4 wheel drive hugs the road and its an SUV thats very easy to get in and out of. These vehicles run for years too.

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  No Regrets - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By Bob R - October 5 - 6:16 pm

  After 64K miles, and despite a rear- wheel bearing that went out at 37K miles ($450), I can say with confidence Id buy this car again. Its extremely comfortable, gets great gas mileage, has plenty of power (V6) and most importantly, its extremely reliable. Im not crazy about the cloth door armrests, but the interior has held up extremely well and still looks new. Best of all, if I get stopped for speeding, I can always claim it was a stuck accelerator!

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  "Old Faithful" 285,000 miles & counting - 2002 Toyota Camry
  By omercy - October 5 - 6:03 pm

  Reliable, safe, no problems, handled amazing in a near head on, love love love!

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  Best convertible under 35K - 2006 Toyota Camry Solara
  By louella - October 5 - 11:50 am

  I love it!! The only thing I dont like is removing the top cover and where to store it. Putting it back on is a pain! But its still worth it!

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  Old reliable - 2002 Toyota Sienna
  By Godfrey10 - October 4 - 10:00 am

  A good old reliable piece of transportation. Only trouble have been with the electric windows up front-kind of spendy to fix. also the passenger doors keep sticking. Overall, at 90,000 an extremely reliable van-its a Toyota after all.

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  I named her Baby - 1998 Toyota 4Runner
  By Marcy - October 4 - 10:00 am

  I purchased this vehicle because I always wanted an SUV, but I wanted something reliable! I looked at the Honda CR-V, but being a tall woman 60", I wanted something a little roomier! I Loved the 4Runner as soon as I drove it! I know it was overkill to get one so big but oh well! Im a nurse,so I travel sometimes and need safe/reliable transportation! And this is so it! What can I say, I love it!