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 Car - 2007 Toyota Prius
  By Nancy - July 23 - 5:56 pm

  I get between 38 and 42 mpg doing both city and freeway driving, but I have a lead foot, so I could probably get better gas mileage if I drove slower. My car seats 5 comfortably, and is fun to drive. I highly recommend it.

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  Best Car for College - 2001 Toyota Celica
  By J in Hawaii - July 23 - 11:50 am

  This is by far the best car for a college student. Sure you wont be able to fit 5 people in there, but thats about the only downside. 4 is no problem. 30mpg combined, cheap regular gas, looks good, and the most reliable car Ive owned. Good handling, good steering. Headlights are bright. Good hatch space, was able to fit a 32" TV (tube, not flat panel) in there. Try that in your coupe or sedan!

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  Should have just bought it last year - 2008 Toyota Tundra
  By Back To Toyota - July 23 - 8:30 am

  Last year i got caught up in the "buy American" movement and purchased a 2007 Denali. What a mistake. Traded it in for a 2008 Tundra Limited Crewmax and couldnt be happier. Drove it over 700 miles the day after i purchased it. Comfortable seats, lots of power, smooth ride and averaged 17.5 mpg at 75 mph. I am a big guy (64) but had plenty of leg and hip room. I cant wait to hook my Airstream up to it to see how it pulls. Once again Toyota got it right.

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  Mighty close to perfection - 2005 Toyota Avalon
  By Peter Foss - July 23 - 6:30 am

  An extraordinary automobile wrapped in a not-so-extraordinary hull. The front looks like every other Japanese car built over the past 10 years. But get in, sit, down, buckle up, turn the key, and oh my!, all is forgiven. Everything is perfection from its effortless silent operation to its stunning interior. I love the simplistic stylng of the dash. Various components are hidden behind panels that open with jewel-like precision.

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  Finally - 2005 Toyota Avalon
  By Gerald Schultz - July 22 - 10:53 am

  All but a few drivers are looking for a car which provides superior handling, comfort, performance, safety and luxury options. The best handling cars offer less comfort. Performance is usually associated with higher gas consumption and noisey interiors. Luxury options are not available on most cars or they come with expensive nameplates. Safety options are limited in all but the top models. The Avalon is the first car which I have driven which has almost all of the characteristics most drivers want at a non-luxury car price. It is loaded with luxury options. Beyond the normal power functions it has almost everything that you can get on any other car ..... It is awesome!

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  Toyota Cienna - 2002 Toyota Sienna
  By John Tran - July 22 - 2:00 am

  Its best for me. Both second and thrid rows can recline. Its important feature for family on a long trip. Quiet and comfortable ride. Engine is powerful enough. Flexible seatings arrangement. And of course, very reliable.

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  Excellent car - 2002 Toyota Avalon
  By bmw - July 22 - 2:00 am

  Amenities of a much more expensive car. The anti-skid works very well, Im very comfortable in the snow with the Avalon.

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  MY COMFORTABLE ECHO - 2002 Toyota Echo
  By KJD - July 22 - 2:00 am

  THE ECHO IS THE MOST COMFORTABLE CAR I HAVE SAT IN. THE "HIGH UP" SEATS MAKE IT EASY TO GET IN AND OUT. NOW WHEN I RIDE IN MY FRIENDS CARS, I FEEL LIKE I AM SITTING ON THE GROUND.

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  The BEST starter car there is!!!! - 2000 Toyota Echo
  By jnl - July 22 - 2:00 am

  This was (and still is) my starter car, and the reliability was OUTSTANDING!!! I need something bigger and thats the ONLY reason Im trading this in, if i had more money, Id prefer to hold on to it as a "extra" car. Like the first reviewer said, its AMAZING the parking spots you can squish in too, great for shopping expeditions or a busy night out in the city.

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  Amazing!!! - 2002 Toyota Prius
  By jesusnipples - July 22 - 2:00 am

  After 6,000 miles this car never ceases to amaze me. The driving certainly takes getting used to. You cant expect to master it on a weekend trip (reference, previous poor review). Once you learn the subtleties of driving in "steath mode" (fully electric), your fuel economy will soar. Expect "poor" mpg ratings (35 mpg) at first. For the last 2,500 miles, I have averaged 51.7 mpg. Interior plenty of room for 4 or 5. This car has more legroom in the back than my 2001 Jetta. I am 510" and can sit behind the front seats, even with the seat slid all the way back! Trunk is surprisingly large. Plenty of pep. I "burned rubber" a few days ago trying to scoot across a busy intersection.