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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  Love my Matrix - 2003 Toyota Matrix
  By jacben - December 1 - 12:20 pm

  Having driven and owned many different vehicles, I have never encountered one that I enjoy as much as I enjoy my Matrix. It responds quickly, drives smoothly, gets great gas mileage, holds 4 people comfortably enough for a 3000 mile road trip and looks sporty and fun. Complaints: The air conditioner quit because of an internal air filter that neither I nor my mechanic knew existed. (Once it was discovered and changed the A\C began to work again.) My standard transmission stalls too easily when starting off in first gear. The body has been marred in several places by minor bumps.

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  2004 vs. 2016 Toyota LE - 2016 Toyota Camry
  By Robert Kauffman - December 1 - 10:24 am

  I prefer my 2004 with 40,000 miles to the new car. The 2016 did not handle bumps and potholes better than my 2004. The 2016 has no front bumper. The interior of my special edition LE LE Is much more attractive. I am not comparing new technology with mine. I do not trust/have/like ABS. I am 71 years old, FYI.

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  Gotta have it! - 2003 Toyota Sequoia
  By zenak - December 1 - 10:00 am

  I have the LOADED limited. With everything, every damn option including the grey emblem package and the DVD.

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  No more Suburbans - 2003 Toyota Sequoia
  By martinadrian - December 1 - 10:00 am

  After eight years of having suburbans in our family, we decided to spend just a little more and get something we would not have to trade in every 2 to 3 years. It is amazing how much nicer this feels than a suburban. The turning radius is like a small car, it is more comfortable than our suburbans were and I feel that I wont have to be trading it in after 70,000 miles. You dont many used Sequoias for sale, that should tell you something!

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  Love it - 2003 Toyota Sequoia
  By HappyNH - December 1 - 10:00 am

  I love my new Sequoia. It handles like a dream and we can take long rides with the kids without a complaint. Wish there were memory seats since husband so much taller, even my 2000 Explorer had those. Great room and can actually seat 8 confortably. Would recommend to all!

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  Sequoia TRD - 2003 Toyota Sequoia
  By William Morales - December 1 - 10:00 am

  Ive had this truck for over a year and I love it.It has all the room our old mini-van had, with much more style. I have the TRD package, which appeals to my need for something a little sporty as well.

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  GREATEST SUV - 2003 Toyota Land Cruiser
  By JERRY152 - December 1 - 10:00 am

  I HAVE SELDOM ENJOYED DRIVING UNTIL I PURCHASED MY LAND CRUISER, I LOOK FORWARD TO TAKING TRIPS NOW.

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  Couldnt be happier - 2000 Toyota Echo
  By B4rK0d3 - December 1 - 10:00 am

  First car Ive ever owned, and being a college student, its awesome on the mileage. I generally get around 35 mpg, and thats a combination of highway and street driving. Recently, I moved 2000 miles across the country, with the car packed full of everything I owned. The weight was so high that the back tires were almost completely in the wheel-wells! This car performed the ENTIRE trip like it didnt have anything but the driver in the car. I have never had any problem with the car whatsoever, and I would totally recommend this car to anybody...ANYBODY. I couldnt be happier in the past year and a half that Ive owned this vehicle.

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  I HAD TONS of problems!!! bought NEW - 2000 Toyota Tacoma
  By Marine - December 1 - 10:00 am

  I bought this vehicle new off show room floor with 2 miles on odometer. This thing wore tires funny, TRD emblem came off 3 times check engine light came on 4 times. I finally traded it in for a Dodge durango after 3 years of agony in that tacoma!

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  Its a real beauty - 2001 Toyota Avalon
  By Gary Tucker - December 1 - 10:00 am

  This car has been my best experience with a Toyota product. Started with a 4 Runner then to a Camry XLS and now have the Avalon XLS which there is no comparison. I was also quite surprised with the gas mileage when using the cruise control. Makes a huge difference when traveling to use the cruise control.