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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  Solid Minivan - 2006 Toyota Sienna
  By Erynex - September 3 - 6:40 pm

  Gets good mileage and has a very smooth and quiet ride. We were able to purchase a 100,000k mile Toyota extended warranty online for a very reasonable price. The dealership has been very helpful, even after the sale. We ordered it with many extras and were able to negotiate a good price. This is my second Toyota and probably not my last.

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  Great car - 2007 Toyota RAV4
  By bahram - September 3 - 12:03 pm

  I have bought this car more than a year ago. It feels so alive and sporty. Fuel Economy is great. If you drive on highway It will make 29 mpg and it looks great. Every one loves it. If you go faster than 80 mph, you will hear the wind noise but over all I love it. It handels like a dream. It does not feel like a suv. just test drive it.

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  Excellent small family hauler - 2006 Toyota RAV4
  By Chowdy - September 3 - 11:00 am

  Car totally met my expectation in all but one regard: Gas Mileage. Whatever formula being used now is wrong by a consistent 10% across three different vehicles Ive purchased in the last three years. Otherwise the v6 version of this baby thrills! Handles well, and accelerates like a scalded dog when you need it.

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  So far, so GREAT - 2008 Toyota Highlander
  By Flash - September 3 - 10:36 am

  Bought this as the wifes new vehicle. It replaced her 00 Impala. What an upgrade!!! It is comfortable, quiet, and for a vehicle of its considerable size and power, gets really good fuel mileage. We got every option except for the nav, and the rear seat DVD. We have portables of both, and didnt see the need to spend an extra $4k on just those 2 options. Excellent up front storage capability with a glove box almost big enough to fit a desktop computer. Comfortable, versatile, and economical, everything we wanted, combined with Toyotas bulletproof reliability reputation. Our first Toyota, and were hooked.

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  Pampered Man Cave Queen - 2009 Toyota Venza
  By Tom Spevak - September 3 - 6:06 am

  On August 12, 2009, my wife and I bought our Venza. The first runner-up was the Volvo XC60. We are 50+ with no children and use this vehicle as our third vehicle- AWD, road trips, airport, social. It has every option except tow package. It has 4400 miles, half of which was a road trip to Florida. I have found it very comfortable, quiet, easy to get in and out of. I get 21/25 mpg, not bad considering how much I enjoy the V6. Visibility is not great, I store the rear headrests in the rear when not needed. The outside mirrors should tilt down when in reverse, and have a blind spot alert. Rain-sensing wipers would be nice. I do not understand why a loaded AWD/V6 does not get the good Michelins!?

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  Great car, not truck - 2002 Toyota Highlander
  By jpark - September 3 - 2:03 am

  Test drove the HL V-6 and was very impressed with its car-like features. The V-6 was strong and spunky. Good acceleration and smooth transition. Seats were comfortable and headroom was luxurious. Its eccentric interior design was great. It is unique and unlike any other car that Ive seen.

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  Touring Delight - 2006 Toyota Avalon
  By Sailor - September 2 - 11:43 pm

  I am very impressed with the MPG on this large car. My first highway trip gave me an MPG of 32. My wife loves and power and roominess. I added chrome wheels to my Black Touring Avalon (the standard Touring wheels would be fine if chrome instead of grey) and get plenty of positive comments. The standard sound system equals the Bose system in my other vehicle.

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  So much better than expected - 2005 Toyota Prius
  By Atrum Animus - September 2 - 5:40 pm

  My wife and I researched Hybrids for 3 years before finally buying our Prius. We are more than satisfied with our purchase. We immediately started saving more than $300 per month on gas. Now that gas prices have gone above $3.00 a gallon and are now hovering at about $2.70 we are saving closer to $425 per month. We actually average between 42 and 46 mpg but I have a lead foot and tend to set the cruise control on 80mph. If I can behave myself and go about 68 mph I average closer to 50 mpg on highway. My daily commute is about 80 miles round trip and this car has been a life saver over what our SUV used to cost getting 17 mpg on a good day. We recommend the Prius fully loaded.

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  Sweet little retirement car - 2007 Toyota Yaris
  By Darryl - September 2 - 5:10 pm

  Im 63 so I wanted a cheap, basic, mileage car. I guess in my generation the basics are the basics. I dont need, cruise control, auto windows and all the rest. I did get air, stereo, power steering , five speed (dont need automatic). I also got gas mileage, that will come and go, though. I have gotten as low as 30.5 and as high as 39, it seems its always this way, but this is honest mileage. Sticker mileage, brag mileage, and honest mileage. But the car is cute, rides good, mileage O.K. but its NOT a turnpike cruiser with the goodies. I love it, 9.5 on a scale of 10. But over 40mph keep an eye on the speedo.

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  The UN-SUV - 2004 Toyota Prius
  By E. OConnor-Barnes - September 2 - 12:16 am

  This car was worth the 7 month wait and added price. It is compact but roomy and has plenty of power. I buy gas once a month and drive silently, for the most part. Its a great feeling knowing that I am doing my part for the planet and I have the Toyota name behind me. Of course, I did wait for the 2nd generation.