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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  Toyota man - 2012 Toyota Camry
  By Terry - August 24 - 7:51 pm

  Great car. Very reliable. Nice ride. Good looking.

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  Worth the money - 2000 Toyota Camry Solara
  By verified - August 24 - 6:20 pm

  I have had this car for 4 years. I bought it as a compromise between mpg and comfort as I commute over an hour to work. I have only replaced the battery and tires in those 5 years and have put 200K+ miles on. Performing past my expectations.

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  spinebuster start stop - 2017 Toyota Highlander
  By JC - August 24 - 10:28 am

  OK so im in the market for an suv with 6-7 seat i saw that the new highlander came out and decided to test drive, this is by the worst car i have test drove. Let me start off when i left the lot to the main street i tried to punch it because it was and entrance to a highway and the car hesitate so bad its like it doesnt have the power my foot demand and it gets stuck in gear for long period of time it is as bad as the first version of nissan cvt transmission, from 1st to 2nd gear the car went to 3500 rpm and was there for a good 4 sec untill it finally changed to second this was the same thing from second to third and it shifted hard as if the transmission was slipping or something. As you doing a rolling stop and try to step on the gas there is a bad delay for the car to respond , its confused on what gear to go into and so one time it went to a higher gear and almost stalled. this is as bad as the hyundai santa fe issues if not worse, another thing i hated was the start and stop i know its new technology yea it saves fuel but its going to be harder on the engine and starter, but for toyota i give them an F for this system because as soon as you step off the gas it jerk the living **** out of you, i thought someone hit us or something and the dealer guy was like thats the new system i just drove back and left cause that car it just horrible. Some of you may think i dont know what im talking about but im a drag racer and only feel a car jerk like that either when some one hits you or when i gas it on my race car for a car like this highlander just to jerk you every time at light it bad eventually the jerking will ause the car to crack something in the unibody i know you can shut it off but still what the purpose of having it if does this. also to add to the car hesitation for a car with 295 it seems very weak the sorento has 280hp and its plenty powerful, even my dad old towncar is more powerful and it only has around 200hp and weighs 4000lbs. so please people think again if you want to buy these new highlander give them a through test drive and youll see what im talking about

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  Sporty and Reliable - 1997 Toyota Celica
  By autophile - August 24 - 10:00 am

  I purchased my 1997 Toyota Celica Conv. in June 2001 and find it very sporty, comfortable, and reliable. Its larger than a Miata and MR2 yet handles well, and provides more room. Its fun to drive and I feel as though I have a classic car already. The Toyota Solara is too pricey and not as sporty. My 5 speed shifts well and allows for swift acceleration. If you can find one in good shape, buy it and get fun, reasonable practicality, and good resale value. Its a real buy.

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  Priorities in order - 2001 Toyota Prius
  By TonyC - August 24 - 10:00 am

  I bought this vehicle primarily because of the Great Gas Milage and the Super-Ultra-Low Emmisions for of the car. The ride and other items on the car were a secondary thing. I have nothing but good things to say for the car. It has met all my needs. I do wish it had more in-town range on batteries though so it ran on NO gas around town!

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  My baby died @ 130,000 - 1993 Toyota Camry
  By Dead Leg - August 24 - 10:00 am

  130,000 Death Mark I loved my car, got it in GREAT condition - I treated it like a baby. (Barely drover) anything broke I fixed it. But after 130,000 everything died. Could not pass admissions, AC out, Leaking transmission fuel and oil.

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  Great gas mileage!!!!! - 2002 Toyota Prius
  By green leaf - August 24 - 10:00 am

  The Prius has great gas mileage! The highest I have acheived is 58.8. It has surprising power too. I had five adults in the car with the A/C on, while passing 18-wheelers. There are problems with it. On my car, the build quality has been disappointing, and so has the reliability. It is in the shop now for a new rack-and-pinion.

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  Toyota Sienna - 2001 Toyota Sienna
  By tbone - August 24 - 10:00 am

  An execellent van. A little on the small side for a family of 4 or more. No real complaints except that it was kind of pricey.

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  Will buy no other - 1998 Toyota Camry
  By joe z - August 24 - 10:00 am

  This is without a doubt the best auto I have ever owned. No problems since I purchased it and still have the same original brakes on it even tho consumer reports that it was the problem with this year. Im an old hot rod man and let me tell you this think also has sum guts from a light.

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  Great Truck - 2002 Toyota Tacoma
  By kevinb - August 24 - 10:00 am

  I Love this truck it beats the heck out of my previous trucks. I have noticed that the quality of toyota bucket seats have progressively gotten worse over the years. my 89 4runner had very nice seats 4 or 5 different adjustments. Lumbar, thigh support etc. my 2002 has two forward and backward, and recline. the clock is also a joke. overall i love this truck very comfortable and excellent off road