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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  I LOVE my FJ - 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser
  By 1DresFJ - July 27 - 10:20 am

  Bought the FJ two days ago and had to drive 170 miles back home. I had fun driving all the way back. After getting used to the blind spots and limited visibility through the rear window, I actually settled down and was cruising up to 75 on the road. It is mostly quiet, civilized and runs alongside many higher priced SUVs. My kids love the back seats and the suicide doors to get into the back. Overall fun factor would have to be a 9.5!

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  Small things matter!!! - 2003 Toyota Corolla
  By Bosmat - July 27 - 7:34 am

  This car runs well, but there are a few things I hate about it and would be a deal killer if I had it to do over again. First off, the heat sux!!! (yes thermostat has been changed, and core flushed, etc etc). The heater is simply inadequately sized and this is VERY IMPORTANT if you live in a cold climate! Basically if temperature is below the 30s, it takes a good hour to be warm enough, and then Im at my destination. Anything in the 20s or lower and the heat is not even close to adequate- and foot area never gets enough heat. Ironically, my car has the "heavy duty" heater. Id hate to see standard heater. Secondly the car is LOUD, and I mean L-O-U-D! It picks up more road noise than any car Ive ever been in and Ive been driving for 30 years. I dont think this car has any sound deadening material at all, if anything it has sound amplifying equipment. Third the car doesnt have the sun band at top of the windshield. This is the dark blue stripe that should run across the top of the windshield. If you drive into the sun, this really stinks. I cant drive with the sun visor down all the time because then I cant see traffic signals. On the plus side the gas mileage is good and I think the car will be reliable. Had I realized how bad road noise and shitty heater is, NO WAY would I have bought this car!

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  Beyond its freshness date - 2005 Toyota Tundra
  By Scott - July 27 - 7:30 am

  This is my third Toyota truck and is the most refined of all, but it should be considering the body style has been out since 1999. Cabin is very quiet, 5 spd. tranny keeps you in the mid teens for mpgs and the power is improved. Interior layout needs work, heated seats, cargo lamp, and rear defog switches are all on wrong side of the console. Interior door handles are too small, fold and tumble rear seats are useless, leaves no room to store anything of bulk. The fit and finish are top notch for a truck however. Turning radius needs allot of work, this thing is tough to park, and the bed sides are to tall. Needs tailgate assist and rear sonar back-up detectors like the competition.

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  Overall A Great Truck - 2008 Toyota Tundra
  By JAG - July 27 - 12:16 am

  I owned a Ridgeline before this one but that would be tough to compare because they are made different and there is plus and minus in both, but they are the 2 best quality built trucks on the market the ones that down talk them dont know what a truck is all about or they just have bad luck and trust me as far a gas mileage a lot of people exaggerate about it. I have a heavy foot and I do mostly in town driving and I get about 14 to 15 which is not bad for a V8. Ive owned a 97 Ford F150 ext. cab 4.6 V8 and a 04 Chevy Trailblazer ext. with a 6cy. that got worse and all of the other brands have a lot more problems.

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  I love my Matrix - 2005 Toyota Matrix
  By Matrix one - July 26 - 5:33 pm

  I purchased (ordered) the manual transmission - I love 5 speeds. I love my Matrix because it can carry so much. I went from a pick-up to this and I can still haul a lot of materials. I love the drive, the seats all go down and I like that the back is plastic. I dont even use the cargo net and rear cover but they are nice features. It is very comfortable and I love all the little storage places on the dash board.

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  Two generations could not kill it - 1995 Toyota Corolla
  By Beppie - July 26 - 4:20 pm

  I loved this little car! It was reliable even when I gave it to my children. It seemed to even like abuse. The only problems were in the electrical hardware. The car went through alternators every 60K and a starter every 40K. Could be driving habits. At this time, it has 400K and still goes. I have a Honda now, but my next car will be a Corolla again

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  Getting what you pay for is a good thing - 2007 Toyota Yaris
  By mxzebrax - July 26 - 12:30 pm

  This is a wonderful car for the price. At about 13,000 you cant expect much. The Yaris is like a a good $5 hamburger, its good, but its not a filet mignon. For the price, I feel this is the best car out there. I did a lot of shopping before buying and am very pleased with it. For a while I was a little iffy, but then I got the windows tinted and it looks way better, especially since I got a dark blue color. Dark cars need dark windows. This was my first car.

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  Great Truck - 2002 Toyota Tundra
  By steve m - July 26 - 10:00 am

  PURCHASED THIS TRUCK FOR FAMILY USE AND AT HOME ISSUES. I HAVE NO PROBLEMS PULLING A BOAT, HAULING A "FULL" LOAD OF CONCRETE OR WOOD. THE TRUCK IS VERY COMFORTABLE AND I LOVE IT! I HAVE HAD NO PROBLEMS SINCE OWNING IT AND WOULD PURCHASE ANOTHER ONE AGAIN SINCE MY SON BELIEVES I SHOULD GIVE IT TO HIM WHEN HE GETS HIS LICENSE. IVE PULLED A FEW FORDS OUT OF DITCHS WITH NO PROBLEMS

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  Solid Pick - 2001 Toyota 4Runner
  By blackjack21 - July 26 - 10:00 am

  Bought it new in 11/2000. Has done the job admirably. No mechanical problems whatsoever and the hood scoop gives it a sporty look. Only disappointment is in pickup/engine power.

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  First Corrola after 3 Jettas - 2004 Toyota Corolla
  By RedsName - July 26 - 10:00 am

  Very solid, tight suspension and handling. Manual transmission is easy to shift but not sloppy. Extended service period is nice. No rattles or noises yet. Around 550 highway miles per tank. Very well built car for the price. Took the 120,000 extended warranty option. My last three cars have been VW Jettas. I think this one will last longer.