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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  very pleased - 2003 Toyota Matrix
  By owensdad - July 24 - 2:00 am

  have had this car for 6 months. once you get used to how the car shifts and when you need to kick it down, the power issue goes away. you want to swallow your fillings leaving a traffic light, buy a ferrari. if you want a reliable, sure-footed, roomy car for $20k, buy this car. i traded a mitsu galant that didnt have ABS or AWD or a sunroof or killer stereo or as much room like this car and i paid $18k for that sled. this car is much more car for the price than anything out there.

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  Thumbs up! - 2003 Toyota Matrix
  By mm - July 24 - 2:00 am

  Excellent outlook and interior design. Fine performance.

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  Help to Potential Buyers - 2003 Toyota 4Runner
  By rado - July 24 - 2:00 am

  I analyze this SUV among others. My other car is really a Porsche (Boxster S). This SUV is very powerful. I drove the V6 and the V8. The V6 is powerful over 3000 rpm. The V8 is ridiculous powerful. It takes off faster than my Porsche 0-30 which means my wife is safe at every intersection. X-REAS is a MUST (period). Take your time and test the X-REAS and the non X-REAS. With the X-REAS it drives like a sport car, I am serious. The transmision is very responsive.

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  Toyota Happy - 2003 Toyota Camry
  By van to sedan - July 24 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car 1 week ago, and have found the transition from a van to sedan very pleasant with the Camry. Looked for 2 months, comparing Civic, Corrola, Mazda6, Altima, and Jetta. Comfort and headroom are superior. My main goal was better gas milage and dependablity. So far on second tank I am getting 28mpg, and looking forward to increasing that number as break in period is established.

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  This is my baby - 1999 Toyota 4Runner
  By skidaddy - July 24 - 1:05 am

  This, in my opinion is one of the greatest all-purpose vehicles ever created. It is an absolutely fantastic, drama-free truck that rolls easily down the road, and is capable of crushing the deep mountain snows that fall in our area. Ive got over 145k miles on mine, and she asks only for new brakes every couple of years, and a new battery every 4 or 5 years. The build quality is incredible. 16 years old and not one rip in the leather interior. Fuel mileage is kind of poor (avereage about 17 mpg), but incredibly low cost maintenance makes up for that and more.

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  Toyota, best truck ever - 2005 Toyota Tacoma
  By jerry kreiter - July 24 - 1:00 am

  My Toyota Tacoma is the best truck I have ever owned. I have had many bad experiences with Chevys and Fords in the past so, I went with Toyota. This truck is by far better than any midsize truck out there. It has tons of power and my favorite a six speed manual transmission. Off road there is no comparison. This truck will take any mid or full size truck on any trail. Even the new jeeps could not keep up with this bad boy. Like my older Toyota pickup, I plan on breaking 300,000 miles with out breaking a thing, unlike my worthless chevy silverado that kicked the bucket at 140,000 . These new Tacomas are sure to live up to Toyotas long lasting reputation.

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  Sienna XLE 1995 Experience - 2005 Toyota Sienna
  By David A Willis - July 23 - 10:43 pm

  This has been the best car weve ever owned (I bought my first car in 1956). It has been extremely reliable. My only expenses have been for new tires and a new battery. I do nearly all my own maintenance. I follow all recommended maintenance recommended in the cars manual.

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  Love My Car - 2005 Toyota Camry Solara
  By kathy - July 23 - 9:40 pm

  I am very impressed with the quality of this car, the ride is smooth like a big car. It gets great gas mileage, runs quite, only wish I had bought a convertible. Cause they run about the same price. Nothing bad to say about this car.

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  My first toyota - 2008 Toyota Tacoma
  By jimmy - July 23 - 9:53 am

  I got this little pick up not long ago, Im still breaking it in and we are getting to know to each other. It is a basic model no power windows, no power locks, no power mirrors. Its an automatic white exterior/ ash interior. I really like the half cab on the back to have all my stuff in it, Im a big guy and I even fit on the back seat. I really like the dash and the interior looks, it is spacious for a small truck. I was about to get another truck but when I tried this one, I had no choice but to take it. It is simple, reliable so far, and looks sturdy.

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  Quality goes a long way - 2006 Toyota Highlander
  By easyrider - July 23 - 8:16 am

  Bought the SUV new at the time this SUV was made in Japan 90%, 10% in the states. The trk {SUV} is good on gas especially with the K & N air filter I put in the air compartment, and get up an go power. More than any v-8. This SUV has 3.3 V6, people said was slow but with this air filter it acts like a race engine. I bought the 2 wd drive for towing my boat of 18 of which it pulls out of the water with a full tank. Mind you NO 4 WD drive. Actually would like a hybrid high. for future. Hybrids are a needed thing the way Gasoline is heading. Not 25 cent a gallon anymore.