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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  4 runner lookout - 2005 Toyota 4Runner
  By Klong - December 23 - 10:50 pm

  I really love this vehicle. I have a Infinity I 30 so ride and comfort are very important to me along with the ability to run off road. I drove them all. Toyota is not the cheapest price but the best with highway ride, off road and styling and comfort all put togehter. Plus great Toyota resell if that is important to you.

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  Excellent car - 2002 Toyota Echo
  By jmgpete - December 23 - 2:00 am

  I bought this ECHO when I couldnt find a car that I liked to replace my aging and malfunctioning VW Golf GTI VR6. I have to disagree with Edmunds review of the ECHO. Handles well; roomy and extremely comfortable. (Im 64.) Excellent pick-up and great gas mileage. Performs very well in bad weather especially on snowy and slick roads. I dont love it like my GTI but I am extremely satisfied with it. I find it very fun to drive. Driven it on city streets (where it excels), rural backroads and busy interstates and it handles all very well. Its neither gorgeous nor glamorous but it is a great little workhorse.

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  Excellent little SUV, needs about 30HP - 2001 Toyota RAV4
  By Karrock - December 23 - 2:00 am

  The RAV4 is the first and best in its class. Others are overly large (Who needs a V6 in an SUV this small? If I need a V6, Ill probably want a bigger SUV) or too trucklike and rough around the edges (Blazer Sport, Sportage, Grand Vitara, Tracker, Rodeo Sport, Liberty, Wrangler). The overly- glorified CR-V can be best described as either a very short Volvo or a boxy minivan. The Element? What were they thinking???

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  First 50,000 miles - Problem Free! - 2000 Toyota Avalon
  By hayes13088 - December 23 - 2:00 am

  I purchased this car new in 2000 and was looking for a roomy, dependable mini-van alternative. Recently reaching the 50K mark I can honestly say that the car has been very enjoyable to own and absolutely trouble free. It has only been to the dealer one time for its 25,000 mile check-up which was uneventful. On long fully loaded trips I have averaged 28 mpg and has impressive passing power at highway speeds. The interior has held up better than expected, leather seats still look brand new. Climate control works great at any temperature and the “Dual Mode” option does a good job regulating different temperatures between the passenger and drivers seats.

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  My Buddy Rav4 - 2002 Toyota RAV4
  By Cflyboy29 - December 23 - 2:00 am

  This car is great Toyota has really done a great job on the new Rav4 it drives great and rides like a car! You wont be disappointed!

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  Ride is nice - 2003 Toyota Tacoma
  By Lee - December 23 - 2:00 am

  Everything I read said the tacomas ride was unpleasant. Im a 65 210lb guy and im not uncomfortable. I will say though the first week I owned it the seats where tough but thats expected its a new truck! This truck has power and you can feel it while in lower gears. Pickup is nice too. No real blind spots that i see.

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  Ride is nice - 2003 Toyota Tacoma
  By lee - December 23 - 2:00 am

  Everything I read said the tacomas ride was unpleasant. Im a 65 210lb guy and im not uncomfortable. I will say though the first week I owned it the seats where tough but thats expected its a new truck! This truck has power and you can feel it while in lower gears. Pickup is nice too. No real blind spots that i see.

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  #1 yoda fan - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By larso - December 22 - 10:16 pm

  I had an 05 grand prix previously. You cant compare its ride, fuel economy and elegant, but sporty design to any other vehicle within its price raange. My whole family owns toyotas and they say one you buy one youll never own any thing else. Now I now why!

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  Young again - 2008 Toyota Prius
  By William Kayen - December 22 - 10:03 pm

  I should have done this years ago. I traded in a 1 1/2 year old Lexus ES350 and couldnt be happier. The Prius is comfortable, quick, practical, economical, and a blast to drive. The color is Spectra blue mica which is rare, and I get stares from everyone. I make up excuses to my wife to drive it as much as possible. I felt that the Lexus was a great car but a little too old for me. Its great to be young again and I owe it all to Toyota. If you test drive this car, you will buy it if you can find one available. You will have no regrets and you will laugh all the way to the gas station.

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  Most fun with the top down! - 2006 Toyota Camry Solara
  By Utterchaos - December 22 - 8:06 pm

  I love my car! Its the best. I have so much fun driving it around. The trunk is huge! My two teen boys fit in the backseat fine. I cant wait for good weather, just so I can ride with the top down. Have only had one problem and that was a bad thermometer. It has HUGE blindspots with the top up, so I have spot mirrors. The car is so much fun, that it outweighs the blindspot.