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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  Sun Fusion Rules! - 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser
  By Pete D. - December 15 - 11:30 pm

  I bought the FJ as a replacement for my 2000 Celica GTS that was totaled by a drunk driver. My priorities focused on safety/survivability but something as fun as my Celica; the FJ was a perfect fit. More room all around, my 4 and 7 year old kids love the rear- theater seating and now I can just hose off all the junk they usually leave in my car. If youre looking for luxury refinements, get a 4Runner or higher. Living in the OC, one dealership asked me if I wanted to install custom leather seats? Huh? The beauty of the FJ is its utilitarian personality and natural "good looks". The FJ may not "dress up" like soccer- mom SUVs, but its better lookin and kicks!

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  Are they Kidding? - 2011 Toyota Tundra
  By galagaplayer - December 15 - 11:13 pm

  This truck is great. I test drove all the competitors and decided to pay a little more for the toyota. Resale will take care of those concerns in a few years. The others just dont compare. The 5.7 liter is smooth, and powerful. The ride is also very comfortable and I believe superior, I did not notice the Jitters that are mentioned in other reviews. I sprung for the 20 inch wheels, it really makes the vehicle pleasing to the eye. The edmunds review seems to be searching for something wrong. The only thing wrong is the lack of awards.

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  7 month owner - 2016 Toyota Tacoma
  By Marvin sperber - December 15 - 8:56 pm

  After 7 months of ownership I am growing more of a fan of my 2016 Tacoma. The only complaint is the gas mileage could be better. I received after market tires and rims in the deal (all terrian tires) that make my truck look great but I only average around 16 mph overall. All features on the SR5 are just as nice as upper end models. Super truck overall.

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  Cheap, loud interior - 2016 Toyota Camry
  By Robert - December 15 - 8:38 pm

  What happened to the Toyota Camry? We test drove the 2016 model thinking it would be better and more upgraded, the ride was bumpy with plenty of road noise and wind noise. I was really hoping Id love the new Camry. We felt the interior was cheap and too many cheap plastic parts, the seats were pretty stiff and not very comfortable. Not sure why this is one of the "best cars" in its segment. Its just a larger Corolla, literally. Cheap and boring. Just really seems Toyota has stopped doing anything with this car. If youre up for a bumpy, noisy ride go ahead and spend your money, but there are plenty of other cars to look at.

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  2007 Avalon XLS - 2007 Toyota Avalon
  By Joseph - December 15 - 3:38 pm

  As my first car, it has been really amazing. The acceleration is perfect, and braking is good. Steering is very light, which I like. My gas mileage in the city averages around 20 to 23 mpg. View out of the rear window can be quite tricky while backing up, but the cars blind spot isnt too bad. However I would not recommend for snow driving. Only 2 inches here, and very slippery on roads. Overall I love my Avalon, and its a very comfy ride!

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  A 2CV for the new millenium :-) - 2007 Toyota Yaris
  By Scott - December 15 - 11:40 am

  I bought my Yaris Liftback after selling a new 2007 VW Rabbit which was not a good fit for me. The Yaris is everything the Rabbit is not: fun, light, thrifty, nimble, and solidly built. Im 50, and I grew up driving basic cars so the simple nature of the Yaris really appeals to me. Great visibility, light and intuitive controls, roomy (Im 65" & 175 lbs), practical, and very frugal with fuel. So far, Im a very happy new owner.

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  Toyota Prius 2004 - 2004 Toyota Prius
  By jamesmarkd - December 15 - 10:00 am

  excellent automobile. Would buy it again and again. Very reliable so far.

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  More power than I expected - 2004 Toyota Prius
  By rheumom - December 15 - 10:00 am

  So far, nothing but nice surprises from my Prius. Much more get-up-and-go than I expected. Im averaging 50 mpg. No problems. The contols are easy to use without taking your eyes off the road. The navigation system is wonderful.

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  Mike review - 2001 Toyota Tacoma
  By resq17312 - December 15 - 10:00 am

  Outstanding quality and reliablity.....never had a problem yet

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  Get the Best - 2005 Toyota Sienna
  By MBRII - December 15 - 10:00 am

  With all of the top ratings from CR, Insurance Institute, Government Crash Tests, Motor Trend, etc., this vehicle was definitely worth a look. After taking a good close look, I could not help but BUY.