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 it - 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
  By pete - June 14 - 10:13 am

  The Highlander is comfortable, easy to get in and out of, and rides as well as my Cadillac.

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  7 1/2 times around the planet so far - 2001 Toyota 4Runner
  By okie_bill - June 14 - 9:06 am

  I purchased my 2001 4Runner SR5 Sport eight years ago this month, a mere 195K miles ago. Every year I look at the new car ads and every year I say, "maybe in another 15K miles." This is the best built, strongest running car Ive ever owned. Like others, Ive had a couple of similar minor issues - a broken power antenna, a center console fuse that burns out and yes, the worthless rear window deflector, but thats it. Ive had to replace the original tires once, have had *one* tune-up and the brakes have never been touched. Amazing. Its driven the Alaskan Highway, survived 2 winters in N. Dakota and still manages an average of 18 mpg. Why would I ever trade it in?

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  Love this car more the older it gets! - 1994 Toyota Corolla
  By Sully862 - June 14 - 6:06 am

  I bought my Toyota Corolla DX brand new and have loved it since 1994. It keeps getting older, gets more miles on it, and just keeps humming along. It rides smoother than new Camrys, is peppy in the first and second gears and needs nothing but scheduled maintenance. Over the years the car has come to fit me like a glove and I dont want to replace it. I have 175,000 on this one and expect to take it well over 200,000. Like another reviewer I havent had a car payment in ten years. I love what Toyota does for me!

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  Fabulous car - 1994 Toyota Camry
  By David W - June 14 - 5:33 am

  This car has been a total pleasure as well as a joy to drive. It is peppy and accelerates very well getting onto highways and when we need to move quickly. We have 205,000 miles, and have never had to do anything more than routine maintenance which we do religiously. The leather seats are showing wear after 17 years but other than that, we have no sense we are driving an older car, and we think the design is still handsome.

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  Not what I paid for/lemon - 2008 Toyota Avalon
  By carlosjay - June 13 - 7:26 pm

  Since day one I am having transmission problems. The dealer keeps on saying there is nothing wrong with the vehicle, but there is. It slows down too quickly when your foot is removed from the gas pedal. Sooner or later I will be rear-ended. I am in arbitration now. I was told by a Toyota the tech to drive aggressively. That is against the law. As of now I am due for an arbitration hearing.

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  New Car - 2010 Toyota Camry
  By gofersatchmo - June 13 - 2:23 pm

  Just got a new 2010 Cary SE, my wife loves it, were getting 30+ mpg in town and you cant beat that for the comfort and ride.

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  Sequoia - 2003 Toyota Sequoia
  By momof5 - June 13 - 10:00 am

  It drives smoothly and quietly, the windshield wipers were a bit noisey which surprised us and the seat that has to be raised for the third row can be cumbersome as well as heavy at times; I would have liked it if the air vents were more directional but the rear air is great and there is plenty of room for a family of seven.

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  Great SUV, uses gas faster than can pump - 2003 Toyota Sequoia
  By csl - June 13 - 10:00 am

  Bought a Sequoia day before yesterday and love it. Itll work great to drive to my 2nd job to pay for the gas - it sucks gas faster than I can pump! Seriously, we knew that would happen - this is larger than our Jeep GC so we knew mileage would be lousy. Size is great, but 8th person needs to be a kid. Middle row has a lot of room, and 3rd row isnt bad either. No complaints about interior/exterior. Bottom line, at 36+ hours of ownership, would recommend it.

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  One Great Car - 1997 Toyota Corolla
  By kdblossom - June 13 - 10:00 am

  I bought this car after it had been wrecked. It was easy to have fixed and you cant tell it has ever been wrecked. It gets the same mileage as a new Corolla. It also has some get up and go when you want it to. The biggest problem I have noted is that the seat belts could be a little sturdier. I had to replace the drivers side as it did not work correctly. The people at my local dealership say this is a VERY common problem. Also, I hate were the cup holder is. However, I really love this car and do not regret buying it.

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  Great Car - 1996 Toyota Corolla
  By dogperson11 - June 13 - 10:00 am

  This is a great car. It is my first car, and after puting more then 7k miles on it in just 8 months, the only thing I have had to do are oil changes. It has 81k (almost 82k) miles right now, and I hope it goes at least twice that!