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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  the best car - 2003 Toyota Camry
  By hadie - March 7 - 10:00 am

  a wonderful car that satisfy all your interests

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  2004 Sienna - 2004 Toyota Sienna
  By jsandor47 - March 7 - 10:00 am

  Very Nice, it floats over the road like a feather. Excellent steering. Turn the wheel all the way to the right or left and wow you turn on a dime.

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  Just do it! - 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By Flyer - March 7 - 9:30 am

  This car is simply superb. I work in a vehicle-related field, and I have seen crash/wreck photos of Camrys - people walk away from wrecks because this car sacrifices itself to save its occupants. I was searching to replace my Jetta diesel (a maintenance intensive vehicle) but wanted to up-size from the Prius. The Camry hybrid is for those people who hate waste and love efficiency, like myself. I am a caregiver, and the Camry has enough space to allow people with disabilities the room to swing in and out of the vehicle easily (unlike the new Jetta TDI, which has a much smaller interior). My father, a solid diesel head, was sold on the Camry hybrid within thirty minutes. Simply impressive.

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  Super vehicle - 2005 Toyota Prius
  By duke - March 7 - 7:53 am

  The most satisfying part is sitting at light or motionless in jam knowing the engine is using ZERO FUEL, and creature comforts are taken care of by the big battery. Fify plus MPG helps too. On road mileage remains to be seen when we take our first non-local trip. My guess is that it will be in mid fiftys and if we see sixty it would be great. The display shows instant fuel use. Auto reset on tank fill for current consumption. Amazing info on this screen. Finally it is a unique speedometer display placement. Well shielded and illuminated it is far enough away to not need bifocals and still be small eye motion from road.

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  Love this car - 2004 Toyota Prius
  By JEBG - March 7 - 5:56 am

  We bought this car due to a work commute and what it "represents" environmentally. We have gotten up to 69 miles per gallon, although we seem to average around 58-59 mpg - and that is almost all highway driving. We have taken it over the grapevine, "possibly" in excess of the posted speed limit with no problem. We love this car and cant wait for the hybrid highlander to come out. The car is so quiet, you can hear the road noise - or at least we notice it more than other vehicles we have had, so we turn on the radio.... With this technology available, there is no reason not to have it in all passenger & SUV vehicles.

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  Solara Convertible - 2007 Toyota Camry Solara
  By Bob - March 7 - 1:43 am

  This car is awesome. I love the way the top goes up and down in 10 seconds! Gas mileage is great and overall the car handles very well.

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  Third Toyota truck! - 2005 Toyota Tacoma
  By Hobopoet - March 6 - 7:40 pm

  In a word, excellent! Ive driven trucks for a long time, American and Japanese, but this is the nicest! This is my third Toyota. I traded a 2001 Tundra for this one and I think I stepped up. This one will do everything I want done in a truck. Im very pleased!

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  Corolla S cute and efficient! - 2016 Toyota Corolla
  By Evans - March 6 - 9:47 am

  Just bought my new Corolla. I went from a filull size sedan to this and I am impressed. Its cute sporty looking but comfortable to drive and gets great gas mileage. I am very happy with my purchase which, by the way, was smooth and quick considering buying a car is usually a pain. Thanks to Cox toyota in Burlington, NC.

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  Great Truck! - 2005 Toyota Tacoma
  By NICK - March 6 - 8:06 am

  I traded in my 04 Dakota for the Tacoma because the Dakota would bounce and hop like a pogo stick. The Tacoma is smooth and powerful and maintains control over even the worst road conditions. The only problem Ive had so far (and alot of people are having the same problem) is an out-of-alignment cab mount bolt that rattles over bumps, but once you finally find where the noise is coming from, it should be a simple matter of re-bolting it. Overall visibility is excellent. The stock sound system is pretty good, as far as stockers go. I love the seats on the TRD package--the side bolsters really help through fast curves. Overall, its one great truck. And its FAST!

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  2007 Toyota Tacoma Access Cab 4WD 4 cyl - 2007 Toyota Tacoma
  By jc01 - March 6 - 7:40 am

  Everything has been upgraded from what I was used to. Coming from my previous 1999 version of this same truck, the 2007 version is longer, higher, wider, stronger and smarter. I am glad that they have made standard the 4x4 mode being switchable from the dash and also improved rust preventation under the chasis by using thicker steel, other alloys, and rust inhibiting paint. Standard features I would of thought would be extra (bedliner, CD, AC, etc.) There is no comparison out there. Nissan, Ford, Mazda, Dodge, and Chevy can only hope to ever match the quality, dependability, durability, and plain sleek/smart design of the Tacoma. The Toyota Tacoma continues to define the small truck genre.