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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  Love My Prius - 2005 Toyota Prius
  By Richard K - July 23 - 7:23 pm

  This car is everything I expected and more. I get 50 miles to the gallon on the highway and about 46 or 47 in city driving and I love everything about it.

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  Love this car! - 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
  By ilener - July 23 - 5:26 pm

  I owned an Audi A6 prior to this and all I can say is I love this car! Sure, the Audi looked a little sportier, but it was constantly having mechanical problems or one little plastic piece or another break off inside. This car is much more rugged and reliable. It can take abuse by bumpy roads and kids without a hiccup. I love the keyless remote - so handy when my keys are at the bottom of my purse. The huge backup camera screen, extra wide mirror, and super adjustable seat mean that I can be comfortable and have great visibility. My sister has a comparably sized Acura and is gets a measly 10mpg, far below its advertised mpg -- and the dealer has not been able to fix it. Love my car!

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  My first truck experience - 2005 Toyota Tundra
  By Curts Truck - July 23 - 3:56 pm

  I bought this truck based on Toyotas quality reputation. I will act as the general contractor for my house currently in design. The passenger door doesnt seem to have been hung correctly as it takes more force to open and close it. It pops up upon opening it. We took the truck to North Carolina last August on vacation and got caught in those very heavy rains. Not only did I not have a problem, I felt very safe and secure. I had no problem driving around in the winter snow here and made it up a hill I thought would surely give me a problem. I think the relatively light aluminum engine makes the truck more evenly balanced enhancing its ability to make it through snow. Great truck.

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  Disappointed but still a good truck - 2006 Toyota Tacoma
  By Nelson Colon - July 23 - 2:10 pm

  I purchase a 2006 Tacoma Pre-Runner Jan of this year, it is my second Tacoma and I really have enjoyed the old one as well as the new 2006. There are some disappointments on this truck, if you happen to be traveling and there is a need to hang your clothing by using hangers you will not be able to see out of the rear view mirror, it will completely block your view. I find it hard to believe that the engineers at Toyota actually allow this to happen this is a hassaress and should have been discuss and relocated as the truck was been tested (is obvious they did not test the truck well). The brakes are spongy,squeal like a pig, hard to stop.

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  I love my 2012 Yaris LE 2 door - 2012 Toyota Yaris
  By binki1 - July 23 - 11:15 am

  I didnt like my 2010 Honda Fit 4 door because I felt crunched in the drivers side and looked at the 2012 Yaris and knew it was for me. I had a previous 2008 Toyota Yaris ( basic) traded it in for a 2010 Honda and now realized that I should have kept my old Honda fit, but realized that I have a great 2012 Toyota Yaris, which I will keep for many years.

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  Love my Corolla - 2001 Toyota Corolla
  By Cyndi - July 23 - 10:56 am

  We bought this corolla new in 2000. The 2001 had just come out. It is rated for 39 highway and 30 city and thats exactly what it gets. Mine is automatic, white . It is the best car we have ever owned I also have a tacoma Truck which I love. We are a TOYOTA family! Will never buy any car other than Toyota.

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  Gotta Loveem - 2002 Toyota Tacoma
  By bill m. - July 23 - 6:30 am

  This is a great truck (and my 3rd Toyota truck), dependable and ready for just about anything. 4WD works great! Extremely low maintenance.

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  Prius driving fun - 2006 Toyota Prius
  By Ronald Solberg - July 23 - 5:16 am

  I have found the Prius provides one of the most enjoyable driving experiences I have ever had with any car. Over the years I have driven 2-3 dozen different automobiles. What has made the experience so enjoyable is that the car has changed my driving style, all for the better. The on-going fuel consumption monitoring/reporting system has encouraged me to set new consumption goals each trip I make with the car, thus forcing me to do the things that make my drives safer and more economic.

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  Great teenager car! - 1995 Toyota Camry
  By cwazychicken - July 22 - 9:06 pm

  My brother gave me his Camry as a gift, of course as a teenage girl i wasnt too thrilled with the look of this car! I drove it for an entire year and only had big problems towards the end of its journey. At 198 K its pretty well worn out. For sixteen years old still runs good .No A/C , had to put in a new radiator and other little malfunctions, all in all a great first car !! Im gonna miss it!

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  Traded my Impala for a Camry - 2005 Toyota Camry
  By Steven - July 22 - 8:13 pm

  In light of projected fuel prices skyrocketing, I thought Id look at something more economical, with a good reputation for reliability. I like everything the Camry does. It has surprising acceleration for a four cylinder. It is smoother and quieter than the Impala. The steering is lighter but much more precise. The Camry took me from Atlanta to Tampa on 14 gallons of fuel, approximately 475 miles.