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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  Best design Ive ever seen - 2004 Toyota Prius
  By cenoyes - July 29 - 9:40 am

  Raced sports cars in my younger years, and am an engineer by education, cannot find enough superlatives to cover the design work that went into this machine.

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  Most Reliable Vehicle Ever - 1996 Toyota 4Runner
  By Dave Sisler - July 29 - 2:30 am

  This SUV has to be one of the most reliable vehicles in history. 90000 miles and literally have had to do no more than fill with gas, change oil, change belts, and get new tires. Minor probs with pop-up antenna. Unstable in poor weather conditions unless it is in 4WD. Simple to change to 4WD. FANTASTIC CAR!!!!!!!!!!

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  LOVE this car :) - 2005 Toyota Camry Solara
  By me_lisa_m - July 28 - 11:46 pm

  I waited for years to invest in a convertible, and fell in love with this one. I waited until the color I wanted became available (I bought used) and I found one, couldnt be happier. I highly recommend the navigational system (nicer than my husbands $55k Denali). The car is the best I have ever purchased. Highly recommend!

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  AWESOME AVALON XLS - 2005 Toyota Avalon
  By canefire - July 28 - 11:20 pm

  We saved $15,000 by purchasing our Blizzard White XLS, fully loaded, instead of a Lexus GS300 we really liked? Awesome ride, comfort, space, safety, power, dual exhaust, body style, leather and this list goes on! Beats the GS300 in most categories - great value for $29,000. 2nd Avalon XLS, 4th Toyota - sold on Toyotas reliability and quality.

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  Love my Venza - 2009 Toyota Venza
  By dozagirl - July 28 - 10:06 pm

  Ive had my Venza for 3 months now and I still continue to love driving it. I have the Sunset Bronze Mica and I still get people asking me about my car! The color in the sunshine when it is clean is fantastic! I drive approx 80 miles per day every other week (I carpool into the city every other week) and it is a comfortable drive and ride as my passengers tell me. I am taking it on a 12 hour road trip in the next month or so and am looking forward to trying out the back seat with the reclining seats and the DVD player. I had the Lexus RX300 a 2001 model before I purchased this car. I was looking at the new RX when this car was introduced and I fell in love with it the moment I drove it.

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  Near Perfect Crossover - 2009 Toyota Venza
  By Tades - July 28 - 9:20 pm

  I finally pulled the trigger and bought the car 2 days ago. The V6 AWD version has plenty of power and the 20" wheels are not as bad as I read in the reviews; this car really turns heads. The ride is still on the firm side but Toyota managed to compensate it with the suspension design. The interior is very well thought of with all the amenities you can ever need including 3 power outlets. The smart key system is fantastic and cabin space is very generous. My average MPG is probably about 20 with mixed driving, not the best but no worries since I only drive 10 miles to work. All in all its a wonderful and fully functional crossover that I am pleased with and will keep for a very long time.

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  Better mileage than advertised - 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By rae - July 28 - 2:23 pm

  We had to wait 4 months before picking up the car and learned after filing our taxes that we were not entitled to the whole $2600 tax refund as we had anticipated. But we are exceedingly satisfied with the car. We are getting 42-44 mpg on long trips going 65-70 mph. Very quiet on the road and no noise when starting to drive with electric engine operating.

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  Love it! - 1997 Toyota 4Runner
  By Chatfield - July 28 - 10:00 am

  I purchase this vehicle 4 years ago with 104,000 miles on it. I have done nothing to it but change the oil, it is now at 154,000. Best car I have ever owned.

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  Sequoia - 2010 Toyota Sequoia
  By Tim - July 28 - 10:00 am

  The powertrain is outstanding and towing capability as well. It makes the vehicle a joy to drive. At 61000 miles mine has yet to have a mechanical problem.

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  Poor Mileage - 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By longtall - July 28 - 10:00 am

  I love my Camry Hybrid, however, I only get around 23 mpg in stop and go situations in the summer. I get about 27 mpg in city driving in the winter. I figure some of it is due to A/C use as I live in the desert, but it seems like everyone gets mpg in the 30s in city driving. I get 39-40 on the highway. I dont have a heavy foot either. Im 72 years old.