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 SUV - 2002 Toyota Highlander
  By smalik28 - September 17 - 10:00 am

  This is a good SUV, met expectations.

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  not bad - 2003 Toyota Corolla
  By duckburp - September 17 - 10:00 am

  Well, just destroyed my faithful 93 camry w/247k miles, and seeing as repairs are too much, the corolla has come into the pic. we were given a 2003 ce for rental, the wife loves it, i have to admit that i am actually giving it some thought, doubtless staying w/toyota. during the week that we have had it, we have definitely gotten comments for the looks, my sis (in her 97 camry) saw it and liked it more then hers. bigger/less boring than its predecessors (much bigger than 80 corolla i had, though sr-5 model looked good in its day). i might actually get this car over a new camry (i didnt really just say that)...

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  Tundra = One Of The Best Pickup Truck Buys! - 2013 Toyota Tundra
  By pacquio78 - September 17 - 7:31 am

  I Just Bought A 2013 Toyota Tundra Crewmax 5.7 FFV 4x4. It Has The SR5, And The TRD Off-Road Package! Its Definitely A Quick Truck! Its Fully Loaded With Navigation, The Only Thing It Doesnt Have Is Leather! Haha, 15,000 Miles Already!

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  All the features at half the price! - 2004 Toyota Matrix
  By AHTripp - September 16 - 12:26 pm

  I drive over 40k miles per year. One of the best I have every driven, with all the comfort and convenience features of cars that are $30k+. Mileage is a steady 31.5 over all kinds of terrain. Very comfortable, and no problems at 20k miles in five months. More storage room than several larger models, and very comfortable for 4 adults.

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  First owned car! - 2001 Toyota RAV4
  By Evan "Rudy" - September 16 - 9:40 am

  We bought our silver, 5-speed, L series beauty-of-a-car on Mothers Day of this year. So far we ABSOLUTLY love it! We got it with 70,311 miles and it drives like brand new! and it has 73,423 miles (as of 7/20/05) now. We havent actually tried the AWD the way it was built yet, but some friends of ours that have one says that "it drives as if there werent any snow" do Im anxious to try it out! Ive notice a hair-line crack where the plastic aluminum on the drivers door handle is. The sound is --okay. Over all Id give the car... well lets just say that Im gonna be buying another one someday! :) Its a BIG step up from 2000s model, it looks sexy!

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  Great Car - 2010 Toyota Prius
  By Brian - September 16 - 5:10 am

  This could be the best car I have ever owned if it is reliable over time. Second Hybrid for me -- first 2003 Civic Hybrid 165K miles w/ not ever a single service problem when I sold it. 2010 Prius smooth, quiet, great Bluetooth, roomy cabin, great JBL system, very sound steering and ride. I only have about 325 miles of mixed driving so far but gauge says 51.5 MPG and just under 1/2 tank.

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  Sport Truck - 2002 Toyota Tacoma
  By 01Srunner - September 16 - 5:06 am

  From the start its been a blast to drive. It handles very well, eventhough it has more body lean than I want. Still better that my previous truck. It gets 21MPG in city/highway driving, pretty much the same as my 98 Frontier. The interior is well appointed, but the clock placement is very bad. You cant see it from the drivers seat. The sport seats a very comfertable, and offer very good support for spirited driving. I wish that it had power mirrors, and a complete set of gauges.

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  epa mileage ultra conservative - 2013 Toyota Avalon Hybrid
  By mizzenman - September 16 - 3:28 am

  Expecting 40 mpg on my third day of ownershio I changed my style of driving to more suit the personality of the car. With three passengers achieved 43+mpg. Today, travelling rojte 9 NJ achieved 52+ mpg. Frigging amazing as I was travelling with the flow of traffic and at times accelerating beyond the lastpod. This is far superior to diesel poqedered vehicles. My comparison is based on driving from New York to Florida in a VW diesel Passat. So far, totally impressed. This is the sleeper of the century!!!

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  Im in love... - 2006 Toyota Prius
  By Roger Strand - September 15 - 7:06 am

  If its possible to be in love with a car, then Im in love with my 2006 Prius! Everything about it has more than met my expectations, which were high. Interior room and comfort, and ease of exit and entry are exceptional. The only bit of disappointment so far is with city driving mileage - its been more in the 45-50 mpg range, rather than the high 50s as I was expecting.

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  Amazing Vehicle - 2003 Toyota Corolla
  By Joe C. - September 15 - 3:13 am

  Since purchasing my Corolla, I have had no complaints at all. The build quality is fantastic, and the engine has a surprising amount of pep. It blows away all of the other economy cars Ive driven. Im totally satisfied. (Note that I was the primary driver for two years prior to my purchase of this vehicle, so my review covers the entire lifetime of the vehicle)