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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  Great "Vehicle". cant call it a car - 2003 Toyota Matrix
  By WVcop - May 30 - 10:00 am

  Bought this car for the wife as a "work" car because she liked the looks and it got great gas milage. i drive a police car all day and have an 86 trans am that i enjoy on the weekends. The Matrix XR that we got is just as fun to drive as either one of them. I highly recomend the Matrix.

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  Excellent Truck - 2002 Toyota Tacoma
  By Brian B - May 30 - 10:00 am

  I had a Nissan truck for the last seven years and it was very good but this Toyota is great! I was concerned about the ablility to pull our 4,300 pound boat but it was no problem at all. I have owned several Toyota vehicles in the past and all provided years of trouble free service. Im expecting to keep this one for at least 8 years. Almost bought a Ranger since they had such a low price and rebates until I started talking to people that have owned them and saw the poor rating for Ranger four wheel drives in Consumer Reports. Glad I checked it out plus I have had very bad luck with Fords in general.

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  Same as Lexus and Less expensive - 2002 Toyota Camry
  By Herb - May 30 - 10:00 am

  This is a Honda Accord Killer

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  absolutley da best - 2005 Toyota Sequoia
  By marye13 - May 30 - 6:50 am

  this is the 5th toyota for our family. they are the most reliable and all around thumbs up. we have had old landcruisers,and I drove a celica for 17 years and had almost 300,000 miles on it and still sold it for 300.00 more than i bought it for. As long as you do the normal maintance, toyota will keep on going. I will not have another vehicle in our drive way! well worth the money in the long run!!!

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  Great convertible for the price - 2002 Toyota MR2 Spyder
  By spiketron - May 30 - 2:00 am

  For the price, you cant be it, plus its a Toyota! Handles well and corners on a dime, without any sliding or swaying. This is a great second car, as storage is non-existent (you dont realize how important this is until you dont have it and you need it, trust me).

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  4RUNNA! - 1997 Toyota 4Runner
  By kford - May 30 - 2:00 am

  I love my 4runner. its the best SUV made. Ever.

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  Magnificent - 2002 Toyota Camry Solara
  By KCN - May 30 - 2:00 am

  I bought one of the first ones in May 2000 and have been very happy. I wanted a family sized convertible and was about to buy the Chrysler Sebring, even though I wasnt wild about it. Then I heard an aannouncement of the Toyota Solara coming out in a year. I waited a whole year before the first production models were rolled out and have not been sorry about the wait.

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  Toyota Rav4 - 2002 Toyota RAV4
  By Car and Driver - May 30 - 2:00 am

  nice small suv much better than the new crv and all the other small sized suvs

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  camry is reliable, solid - 2001 Toyota Camry
  By velshin - May 30 - 2:00 am

  Why would you want anything but a reliable car? The Camry always works.

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  A winner from Toyota - 2002 Toyota Highlander
  By garshir5 - May 30 - 2:00 am

  My wife and I were not happy with the downsized SUV offerings.... until (drum roll please) we decided to "upscale" a tad and try out the Highlander. Comfort and ride are in a whole different class than the aforementioned minis and with our 2wd v6 drive base model equipped with fender flares, rear spoiler, bug deflector, roof rack, four-wheel discs, reese hitch/wiring, privacy glass, 8-way power seat, keyless entry, Steller alloy wheels, and a few other goodies - well - this baby was a like a glove fit for us. (Ive added McNeil WeatherFlectors and taillight covers to "butch-up" the all white Highlander....so far).