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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  Best car ever!!! - 2005 Toyota MR2 Spyder
  By angela45 - May 4 - 10:04 pm

  I had a 2004 MR2 with the SMT that I totaled in 2013 and went shopping for another car. With everything else out there, I finally settled on a 2005 MR2 with the five-speed transmission, and had it shipped it from New Jersey to California. I bought the 2005 because I had never loved driving before I drove the MR2 Spyder! Every Saturday and Sunday, I get in the car and do 60-mile loops just do drive it. Its really that much fun. My husband and kids dont even question it anymore. And Ive owned these for 10 years now! Driving it never gets old!

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  Very Nice Vehicle - 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
  By Todd - May 4 - 5:56 pm

  A very good overall vehicle. Has a great ride, is unusually quiet, and has good engine performance. A solid all-around in-town car that can also go out on the open road. Good leg room and head room for four 6+ adults/kids and still have room for your stuff or more little ones. We like the exterior look, but have to admit the hybrid drive is the wow factor. Friends will all want a ride and will ask a ton of questions about it. MPG is within the ranges listed.

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  2nd Time Sienna Owner - 2009 Toyota Sienna
  By rkNE - May 4 - 4:56 pm

  We live in New England. AWD was important to us in purchasing this van. Also the crash test results and the awesome reliability record of this van was the deciding factors for us. The gas mileage is not the best, as noted by several reviewers here. But you have to consider that this is a large vehicle with a large V6 engine AS WELL AS AWD option. The AWD adds 2 or 3 hundred pounds to the weight of the vehicle. The gas mileage will suffer. If you want higher mileage, you can go with the FWD option, or get a smaller vehicle. The vehicles drives beautifully, it has a tighter turning radius than most mid-size sedans, it is relatively quiet on the road, and handles well for a minivan.

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  Premature strut & brake wear - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By BLACKDOG - May 4 - 11:03 am

  40800 miles Camry LE 4cyl 5A has been awesome. Just had tires rotated, all four struts leaking significantly and rear brake pads down to 2mm. All struts and rear brakes need replacement. Something is wrong, 4 struts go all at once, at 40000 miles and rear brakes shot? Front brakes usually are replaced twice before rears. Called Toyota Experience, very nice but said it was my problem, out of warranty. Should I question Toyota longevity and unwillingness to stand behind their product??? Toyota is aware of premature rear brake wear and leaking struts. They have issued TSBs. Right not I am not sure if I will go back to Honda.

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  Best small car ever - 2008 Toyota Corolla
  By Henry - May 4 - 7:23 am

  Just drove 440 miles to Rocklin, ca. from orange county ca. What fun, 34.0 to 36.4 MPG and handled great at 80 mph with new Michelin tires. I bought this 2008 used with 27600 miles and its like new. If you are thinking of a Corolla just drive one, I am 510" tall and fit perfect in it. You may pay a little more for this car but well worth the $$...

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  396K+ - 1992 Toyota Camry
  By driveon - May 4 - 2:00 am

  I have a 92 Camry that I drove off the lot with 108 miles on it,(in Nov. of 1991)over the weekend it just turned over 396K....Ill drive it until it gets 400K, around Dec.15th 2002.My family and friends say it is time to put her to rest, the car has some problems, but it runs like a champ. Has any one top 400K miles.

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  Great car, know the limits... - 2003 Toyota MR2 Spyder
  By Ook - May 4 - 2:00 am

  I purchased a MR-2 Spyder about 10 months ago. Its a great car, as long as you know the limits and know what you are doing. Handling is TOP notch, very very fun car to drive - you always feel quite connected to the road. Breaking/manuverability excellent. Accelleration good but not spectacular. Storage space is really really small. Great car for weekends and commuting/errand running - but not a good choice for large grocery runs...

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  my echo - 2003 Toyota Echo
  By sjancsik - May 4 - 2:00 am

  good value foir the money

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  great deal - 2002 Toyota Celica
  By sunny253 - May 4 - 2:00 am

  Coolest looking with high relaiblity and really great pickup for v4 beats many v6 engines.

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  Great Little SUV - 2003 Toyota RAV4
  By touracc - May 4 - 2:00 am

  Flat out - Great Quality Car. Very easy to drive, great fuel economy compared to other SUVs, and the fact that its a Toyota says a lot. Engine is quiet and heats up quickly in cold conditions. And, the price is very comparable when it comes to an SUV. Very fun to drive in the city and handles great on the interstate.