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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  one good car - 2004 Toyota Camry Solara
  By g marshall - November 8 - 2:00 am

  nice car dependable, solid build, even the entry vehicle is loaded, and i got it at a great price

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  A Quality Vehicle - 2007 Toyota Yaris
  By DolphinRyan39 - November 6 - 10:10 am

  The Toyota Yaris S Sedan is a stylish, reliable, and fuel economic vehicle. For all it has to offer, along with its highly reasonable price, I recommend it to anyone.

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  Very Good...Could be better - 2008 Toyota Sienna
  By sabadir - November 4 - 11:10 pm

  I bought this used in 2010 w 45K miles. It has 119k now and is in very good shape. Its a great and comfortable car. It keeps me safe and gets through all the weather. Its pretty darn comfortable too. I feel safe in it and frankly I like it. I have a Yakima roof rack and I added a 2" trailer hitch to pull a small trailer. Its perfect for me and my two kids.

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  super basic transportation - 2002 Toyota Corolla
  By tallguy66 - November 4 - 10:00 am

  I got this car to travel weekly between my home near New Orleans and my new job in Texas, 326 miles each way on the weekends. Am getting 39 miles at 70 mpg on highway, no problems at all. I am very tall and need seat to go back farther, other than that am fully satisfied. My last four vehicles have been Toyotas, super dependable, never in shop.

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  Great Little SUV - 2003 Toyota RAV4
  By Superwoman - November 4 - 10:00 am

  Love this little SUV! A little slow at first, but once you reach top speed, it flies! Very quiet inside when windows closed. Very stable in high winds and bad weather. Stock Air and stereo/cd package quite good.

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  ok ok ok - 2002 Toyota Camry
  By howie123 - November 4 - 10:00 am

  for theprice you can`t beat it--my wife has an accord and that feels like a toy compared to my camry

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  Disappointed for the money - 2005 Toyota Avalon
  By Roger - November 3 - 8:50 pm

  I am selling the car after 25 months of ownership. What a disappointment. Worst highway car I have ever owned. Cant keep it between the lines and forget about driving it on the highway when it is breezy. Transmission is the worst at slow speed. Motor is very noisy. AC climate control in the winter is very poor. Steering problems, oil leaks, radio problems. This car is not what the so-called experts claim it to be. Buy some other vehicle. Dont listen to the experts.

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  Tough little truck - 1999 Toyota Tacoma
  By larry P - November 2 - 10:36 pm

  I have replaced the exhaust manifold, rear leaf springs, and the universal joint at the differential twice. It does not burn or leak oil. The steering gear and suspension are tighter than a friends much newer full- size domestic truck with 1/6th the miles. Manual transmission and original clutch.

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  Still Going Strong - 2005 Toyota Camry
  By Dave - November 2 - 4:40 am

  Ive had my base 2005 Camry since I purchased it new in August 2004. It now has 75,000 miles and I commute 68 miles roundtrip 5 days a week. Im getting approximately 28 mpg which I consider good. I had a tune up at 60,000 miles which improved its performance. Ive also changed the transmission fluid twice. Other than oil changes every 5,000 miles, I havent had to do much else. Its been a great reliable car so far.

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  Problem with less than 1000 miles! - 2005 Toyota Camry
  By Commish - November 1 - 2:06 pm

  When doing a rolling stop and then accelerating, the car seems to not know what gear to go into. When the gas is pressed you can hear the engine but the car doesnt go initially. It then catches up but jerks the car. The dealership says this is do to the new electronic wiring. If this is so, then I do not understand why this car could possible be the #1 selling car in America. my 1985 Buick Shyhawk drove smoother! No lie! This was merely a brushoff by the dealership and Im the one who loses. Looking at possibly trading in the car!