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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  Great car - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By jdv - April 5 - 8:33 am

  It has excellent power and good mileage considering the amount of power it has. The transmission shifts smooth at all speeds. So far I havent ahad ny problems. I would like to have a little more trunk space.

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  The almost perfect car - 2016 Toyota RAV4
  By Alin Souvanthong - April 5 - 8:17 am

  Its an SUV, so expect it to be a bit of a gas guzzler. Other than that its a great car!

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  GREAT CAT - 2017 Toyota Corolla
  By Willy Hays - April 4 - 4:36 pm

  Great car, Have always had good luck with Toyota

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  Who Knows - 1993 Toyota Camry
  By Pooney - April 4 - 10:00 am

  After owning this car I would never own any other type of automobile. For the first one hundred thousand miles I had virtually no problems. My only costs were normal maintainence costs. Now after one hundred eighty thousand I am putting some money into the car but it runs like new with no problems. One minor problem has occured and that is the stero AM/FM has gone out on us.

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  The Sienna - 1999 Toyota Sienna
  By Transport Mom - April 4 - 10:00 am

  The Sienna is a GREAT family car. It handles like a car, unlike other minivans I have owned. It is tight, it does not rattle, it gives a smooth ride, even after 3 1/2 years of transporting heavy loads which include: family, friends, gardening & hardware supplies etc.

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  4 Runner w/ 86K Rocks - 1997 Toyota 4Runner
  By lowcountrypcnerd - April 4 - 10:00 am

  I bought this in with 36k miles on it. It has been outstanding. The only $$ spent outside regular service has been for shocks/struts. Driven from Charleston, SC to Cape Cod and back twice! Comfortable trip going and coming. Load up the dogs, the kayaks, the bikes and oh yeah, the wife, and hit the road!

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  LOTS FOR YOUR MONEY - 2003 Toyota Matrix
  By UMP/REF - April 4 - 10:00 am

  FOR THE MONEY - ITS THE CAR TO GET!! GREAT RIDE - LOTS OF ROOM - SPORTY FOR A 4 DOOR - I LOVE IT.

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  Tacoma 4-dr PreRunner - 2002 Toyota Tacoma
  By wjm0003 - April 4 - 10:00 am

  Awsome compact. Best small truck of the major ones on the market.

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  Former Xplorer - Happy Highlander - 2002 Toyota Highlander
  By Ken & Ann - April 4 - 10:00 am

  Owned 3 Explorers and driven them a total of 260,000 miles and still going. We bought my wife a Highlander and the three Explorers sit in the driveway on the weekend while everyone fights for the Highlander. Awesome ride for an SUV. We will keep one Explorer for the deep woods hunting trips. Road trips - we will choose the Highlander!

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  fun to drive - 2005 Toyota RAV4
  By harshad - April 3 - 5:13 pm

  I finally caved in to buy SUV due to my bad back and trying to put 2 carseats..This was the best compromise of carlike handling and fuel economy and ofcourse toyota rep.(we also have 03 sienna). I have thrown this SUV at 65 mph on corners and it did as well as my 99 altima..it also returned 27mpg on my first fill up. I paid $20000 all inclusive for basic 5 speed, FWD. It also did well in snow with std. VSC, and traction control..hopefully I will have safe winters with this car in Minnesota..