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 Perfect Truck - 2005 Toyota Tacoma
  By Gozz - August 3 - 1:40 am

  The V6 6spd manual has fulfilled every expectation I had excluding the lack of floor tie downs at the front of the bed. I have been getting 19-20 mpg, which is fantastic considering my last vehicle was a 1500 Dodge Ram that averaged 12-13 mpg. The truck has a great ride and plenty of power when you ask for it. If you are looking for a great truck, and considering a Tacoma, you are looking in the right direction!

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  I LOVE "MY CAR" - 2005 Toyota Camry
  By Rhonda Champagne - August 2 - 4:26 pm

  We recently traded in my Grand Am, looking for something more fuel efficient. We had looked at several other cars and read up on each of them, and the Camry caught my attention and kept it! I love the design of this car, it has a classy look and a smooth quiet ride. Not only did we get a nice looking car we got the fuel efficiency we were looking for. I also wanted plenty of room and comfort and the Camry came through on that as well. I love the controls right there at my fingertips,and the in dash lighting makes everything clear to see. The Camry sits high enough to where its easy to get in and out of (not too low). Weve recommended this car to everyone!

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  Love my Sequoia - 2008 Toyota Sequoia
  By Warrant_ero - August 2 - 7:16 am

  Just bought our Limited 4x4 Sequoia on 1 Jun. Love driving the big beast. For a big rig it drives like a small car. MPG been around 17 city/highway combined. The interior is nice although I would think there would be less plastic. Very quiet when on the road, love all the power. Looking forward to many great years of service.

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  Best Small SUV - 2005 Toyota RAV4
  By Allie - August 2 - 4:03 am

  This is my third Toyota, and my second RAV-4 - I previously had a 2003 2WD model and decided to upgrade to the 2005 4WD "L" model. I couldnt be happier! The engine was improved in 2004 providing more horsepower which completely removed the "gut-less" reputation the RAV-4 had. This vehicle has plenty of get-up-and go for a 4- cyl. SUV! Stylish and fun to drive, while achieving high safety and reliability ratings. The standardization of anti-lock breaks and the additional air bags make the "L" model a top choice!

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  Just OK Car - 2009 Toyota Corolla
  By Jonathan T - August 1 - 5:13 pm

  Having driven and owned almost all Toyota models, I can definitely say this compact car is just OK. The exterior looks great but the interior lacks the quality Ive had with my previous Toyotas, cheap plastics. The small multi-information display is not helpful at all being placed awkwardly in the dashboard. The Electronic Steering is kind of a little stiff and the car sometime drifts in strong winds but got used to it after 1K miles. Runs smooth & very quiet, you just have to downshift if you want to outrun other cars in the Hway. Got a lot of compliments from other people but overall, Im happy with my purchase considering the economy. Will keep this car for a long time and will enjoy it!

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  Excellent - 2007 Toyota Sienna
  By rvboom - August 1 - 3:00 pm

  This Sienna is a very smooth running minivan with minimal wind and road noise. It has excellent power, especially at highway speeds. The Xenon lights do an excellent job. The cruise control has 2 modes: regular and laser controlled and I am happy to have a choice. I dislike the 5 MPH speed increment on the cruise control and would much prefer a 1-mph adjustment. In the first 2,500 miles of gentle driving, I averaged 19.4 mpg (was hoping for a bit more).

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  Better out there - 2005 Toyota Highlander
  By timberdoodle - August 1 - 1:40 pm

  I have driven 4wds for 30+ years and have never been stuck until I bought this one. I had to be pulled out 3 times this past winter alone and it was a mild one at that!! The tires are worn out with less than 20,000 miles on them!!! The car is nice on a plowed road, but dont try to go in deep snow! It may be ok for a housewife who doesnt really need 4wd, but for those who do, look elsewhere! The interior is filled with cheap plastic and only available in light colors (very impractical) for those people who use a SUV in daily life. You can scratch the paint on the outside with your fingernail!!! Read the fine print on the towing capabilities and packages. A True Lie!!! What a joke.

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  Satisfied Driver - 2005 Toyota Avalon
  By 2005 Avalon XLS - August 1 - 10:43 am

  My wife and I owned a 1998 Avalon for 5 years and it was the best car/value we had ever owned.Resale was great.The TV commercials for the new 2005 Avalon were not particularly flattering and do not do it justice.The 2005 is much more roomy and powerful and is a dream to drive.The XLS does not seem to have as many standard features as it did in the past (standard features compare more closely to older XL models) but offers most as options.The 17-inch Michelin tires/wheels are worth the upgrade from XL model as you can feel the difference in a test drive.The new 280 HP engine is noticably more responsive and the larger interior space is a pleasure. Very quiet.Well happily keep it for years.

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  The best car i ever had - 2007 Toyota Yaris
  By mark kumer - August 1 - 3:16 am

  I am 41 years old. I travel over 100 miles a day round trip. I bought my yaris as a birthday present for my wife. We travel together to save on gas. Thats why I bought this fine work of art in my own words. You see its a steal for what you pay compared to the hybrids. I get 45 to 50 miles to the gallon with the a/c off and driven 55 mph with a 10 gallon tank you do the math its awesome. You know that credit card commercial. 45 miles to the gallon on a 10 gallon price

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  2006 RAV4 6Cyl Limited 4wd - 2006 Toyota RAV4
  By Bob - July 31 - 9:20 pm

  Nice idea, but needs a little refinement. 20 city/22 highway mileage with conservative driving. Better than the current CR-V (being replaced this fall), but seems as if it were rushed into production. Rear door hinged on the wrong side (designed for right-hand drive-Japan). Sunroof cannot be opened all the way without introducing a load booming noise (per the owners manual-not in the sales literature). This is a new model that does not have bluetooth capability. Overall, not bad, but much happier with my 4Runner (features and execution).