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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  Camry Lease Values Unbeatable - 2011 Toyota Camry
  By cattom1 - May 19 - 3:37 am

  Loaded SE 4 cylinder with leather, heated seats, blue tooth, keyless etc. Looked at Accord EXL, Civic, Camry SE & Corolla. 36 month lease @ 15,000 miles per year, and monthly payment only $15 per month different between Civic-Accord or Corolla-Camry. Cheap interior, engine/road noise, buck board ride not worth it on Civic/Corolla to gain maybe, 2-3 mpg over Accord-Camry. Accord-Camry have much higher residual values making them the much better overall lease value. Went with the Magnetic Gray Camry SE because of better looks than Accord EXL and 24 month-25,000 mile free maintenance. Lease cost virtually the same. I put 3K down & lease @ $239 for 36 months 15K, 1st tank 30MPG combo driving.

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  Great to Own, drive, and Practical - 2006 Toyota Matrix
  By donger - May 18 - 7:10 pm

  I owned a porsche 911sc and this thing is nearly as fun to drive but unlike the 911 you can drive it with 4 passengers and all their luggage. This car does everthing you want it to do, it can be a mule and a racehorse all at the same time. I looked at a lot of cars (civic Si, Impreza, mazda 3s) and this was the best in nearly every category; passenger space, speed and handling, reliability (cant beat the japanese), looks. If you are in the market for a car like this you HAVE to drive the matrix to make a fully informed decision. I drove my XRS across the country last summer(CA to PA), through 104 heat, rain for 12 hours at a time and my back wasnt sore and the car never missed a step.

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  Toyota Camry 2000 - 2000 Toyota Camry
  By Courtney - May 18 - 3:26 pm

  Fantastic car. I have had it for a little over two years and it was my mothers car for 5 years before me. It had a new battery put in last year and a few months later the timing belt and water pump were replaced. Also gets great gas mileage about 34 mpg at 70 mph. This car is great, reliable, and very safe.

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  Happy owner in Texas - 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By Happy Owner - May 18 - 11:30 am

  I really like this car and its the nicest car Ive ever owned. Its very comfortable and very quiet and I can really relax in it. Excellent sound system too. Of course one of the main reasons I bought it was that it is a hybrid. A little over a year ago my wife and I passed a gas station sign (in our conventional Toyotas at the time) and the price of gas had headed well over $3.00 and we looked at each other and decided to look at hybrids. I ended up buying the Camry hybrid and she bought a Prius. Boy are we glad that we bought the cars with gas hovering around $4.00/gallon now!! We plan to keep the cars for as long as possible and we believe that in the end it will save us money.

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  Outstanding vehicle - 2009 Toyota Camry
  By Art - May 18 - 7:23 am

  This will go down as one of the best vehicles that I have ever purchased. Replacing my Yukon to gain better economy, this vehicle has exceeded my expectations. Fuel economy is excellent giving me with the V6 32 MPG with the very first tank of gas with the cruise set right below 70. Appears to be very solid and comfortable and the fit and finish is excellent.

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  Good Choice - 2005 Toyota Camry
  By Arif - May 18 - 7:13 am

  The car has lot of space, good power and real good sporty design.

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  Great Work Vehicle. - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By m-b-g - May 18 - 3:23 am

  After driving a VW Jetta for the past 4 years, this car has been a pleasant surprise. It is quiet, fuel effecient (for a car its size), & it has all the safety features I wanted. It is not as nimble as the Jetta, however I bought this car to work from, and has much more space than my Jetta did. I am a salesman and 95% of my driving is in the city 24 mpg on first tank. This car has enough clearance to not have problems with the cement parking lot stops & curbs. This car is an excellent value!

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  I LOVE IT - 2000 Toyota 4Runner
  By mstpoo - May 18 - 2:56 am

  I have wanted a 4runner for so long. I just got one, and I love it! I couldnt ask for anything else!

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  Avalon - Best Car Ive Ever Owned! - 2002 Toyota Avalon
  By Canyoncat - May 18 - 2:00 am

  The best car I ever owned! Never a problem. Consistently hits 30-32 MPG on the highway and 22 city.

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  One of first ones bought. - 2001 Toyota Prius
  By Ken Jacobi - May 18 - 2:00 am

  The car has done great and we average 46 to 48 mpg overall mileage. The only problem we have had is with tires. They have not held up well at all however Toyoto has replaced them twice at no charge trying to find the problem.