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 Truck - 2016 Toyota Tacoma
  By Tom M - April 9 - 11:10 pm

  Bought a 2016 Limited in super white with all the options. Truck handles great, rides smooth and is incredibly quiet. Shifting is smooth and predictable. Acceleration is fine. Easy on the pedal; better mileage. Stomp the gas and the truck moves, much quicker than I anticipated. The interior is very comfortable (Im 62") looks classy. The instrument panel is easy to read and has more features than I will ever use. Very happy with the purchase, and the wife likes it also!

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  Excellent - 2008 Toyota RAV4
  By Carlos - April 9 - 9:30 pm

  Nothing to complain.

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  95 toyota corolla le - 1995 Toyota Corolla
  By cheryl - April 9 - 10:00 am

  I have had Toyotas for years and keep returning. They are reliable to a fault. I bring them in for routine servicing with usually no problems to be checked. I am currently shopping for my 4th Toyota

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  Prius - 2002 Toyota Prius
  By Richard W - April 9 - 10:00 am

  Great car. Reliable, innovative.

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  4Runner Limited - 2000 Toyota 4Runner
  By John DeGroote - April 9 - 10:00 am

  This is a fantastic vehicle; only suggested improvement is a larger gas tank.

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  Very Impressive - 2008 Toyota Highlander
  By Will - April 9 - 12:23 am

  We purchased the vehicle a week ago. The engineering is very good, amazing to think they could pack in as much in such a small vehicle. I was concerned about the gas mileage but now after about 600+ miles seem to be averaging 21 to 22+ mpg. It is fast and if you drive it like a race car it will only get 16 to 17 I am sure. I still have not had a chance to read all of the instructional info but believe once I figure it out it will be a blessing. The hands free blue tooth is great. The leather and interior is as nice as Mercedes and more higher end cars. My wife had some problems with the smart key etc. in her first foray driving about 400 miles. She got pulled over going over 80 mph.

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  Best vehicle Ive ever owned - 2003 Toyota 4Runner
  By rufus42 - April 8 - 2:39 pm

  We bought this vehicle new in 2003. It now has 120,000 miles. It has been fun and comfortable to drive. The mileage is 20 mph highway and 17-18 city. There was a rattle in the moon roof and a squeak in the left portion of the front bumper when it was new. Both were repaired under warranty. The front brakes pads and calipers were replaced at 102,000 miles. Replaced burned out brake lights and yellow front corner lights at about 100,000 miles. A dash light burned out at about 118,000. The dash light cost about $97 to replace since I had it done by my shop. Other than these relatively minor repairs, it has been just routine maintenance. I plan to keep this vehicle for another 120,000 or more.

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  Great Matrix - 2005 Toyota Matrix
  By Toyota Matrix XRS - April 8 - 2:33 pm

  I think it has great get up and go. The handling is very nice. The design inside and out is also great. It looks and feels very sporty. Perfect for a modern mom and cool enough for my husband to commute to work in. It handles hills & mountainous roads very well (and very fun). I have a baby and a toddler and the car seats fit fine (even with my husband in the front seat... hes 65".) Our full size stroller fits great in the back cargo area with room to spare... NO COMPLAINTS!

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  For the young too... =) - 2011 Toyota Venza
  By aughasangel - April 8 - 4:06 am

  I am a mother, of two very active children. So i have a sporting good store in the back of my car most of the time. I was a previous owner of a durango and was looking for a car with the room of an Suv and gad mileage and feel of a car.I must say this is everything i could as for and MORE. The back seat is so big it will grow with my children into and well beyond their teen years. The seats are comfortable, the ride is smooth and the panoramic roof has been a big hit with my family. I get the drive and "zippiness" of a car (just like i wanted) and the room of a full size suv .I dont know why all the commercial are geared to the older crowed.I LOVE THIS CAR very sleek

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  Incredible Toyota does it again - 2003 Toyota Matrix
  By skrotofil - April 7 - 6:10 pm

  Its an optical illusion from the outside-it appears that the seating would be "low" --instead The seats are spring/cushy and sit high.(Before I had a Subaru Outback, the seats sit just as high.) Wonderful ride, handling and Fun to drive. The best part MPG. My first ank of gas was a combinaton of Houston traffic and highway miles 30.8 with my AUTOMATIC