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:

• 

  2003 Toyota Sienna CE - 2003 Toyota Sienna
  By Snowy - March 30 - 2:00 am

  I purchased the 03 Sienna CE without a test drive and I really feel regret about it. I guess I expected more paying $26K for a brand new car. The CE performs poorly when I make turns (my body lean to one side); acceleration is so so as well as the brake. Interior room is small and getting in&out of the car is somehow difficult. I dont feel the same when I drove the Honda Odyssey EX. If I have a choice again, I will purchase the Odyssey instead, for its superb handling and generous interior room, though it would costs me $3,000 more.

• 

  Zig Zag it up to a V6 - 2003 Toyota Matrix
  By BOOMERce - March 30 - 2:00 am

  This is a great little car. While it is not as big as a SUV I can still fit everything I need in it and get better than 15MPG

• 

  overrated - 2001 Toyota Tacoma
  By george d - March 30 - 2:00 am

  for the price the truck is a total rip off. i have a dash rattle that will not quit. broken sway bar link which the dealer will not fix. my corner lenses are taking in water every time it rains. the toyota factory bedliner is destroying the paint on my bed. my rear end "clunks" every time the truck is put back into gear because of what toyota and many other loyalists call "axle wrap". the timing belt idler pully is chirping now. all in all im extremely displeased with the truck as a whole besides it offroad ability. never will toyota see another penny from me. early age to lose a customer (18 years old). :(

• 

  1998 Camry CE - 1998 Toyota Camry
  By shoeman222 - March 30 - 2:00 am

  Great car, always reliable,however, the suspension is a little noisy in very cold weather. Highly recommend for a used car purchase. Great on gas mileage

• 

  Great Truck - 2002 Toyota Tacoma
  By Jetfuelman - March 30 - 2:00 am

  Where I work I could have gotten a substantial supplier discount on any GM vehicle. However, rather than buying an inferior truck that will quickly lose its value. I decided to spend more money and buy a PreRunner, simply because Toyota builds a much better vehicle than GM.

• 

  BAD GMC - 2003 Toyota Tacoma
  By Mr Toyota - March 30 - 2:00 am

  just bought my 2003 tacoma, traded in a faulty 2000 cheverolet impala. (that was a bad car) so far the truck is simply great, my wife hugged it the other day. "She was happy about loosing the crappy impala too". seats a little too small, clock in wrong place. Seems very solid and well built so far.

• 

  RAV4 V6 4WD Limited Review - 2007 Toyota RAV4
  By Rick - March 30 - 1:10 am

  The V6 3.5L engine has a lot of get up and go making it easy to pass other cars and get out of trouble situations. The steering is very easy to handle. The interior leg room fits my wifes size very comfortably.

• 

  Best older gen Camry - 2000 Toyota Camry
  By Tim Ruth - March 29 - 10:15 pm

  Camrys really dont get better than this in many ways. The next year was the remodel with engine and safety improvements. But after 2000 Camrys became small Buicks with Toyota Quality. These Camrys feel strangely like say a older Rover(English) sedan. And thats a good thing. This Camry is ALL about legendary reliability. My Camry took care of me like my Mom. I cant say more!! I drive a Acura TL now and when I get in the Camry I still love it. How do Yotas roll 350K?? Because ever nut, bolt, and most of the vehicle you dont see is done Toyota Right.

• 

  Reliable, and fun! - 2000 Toyota Camry
  By tyylerr - March 29 - 7:54 pm

  I bought my camry new in 1999. It has been the most reliable car I have owned. It replaced my 1996 Lexus ES, and had better options, and was more comfortable. Ive changed the oil every 3,000 miles, which is just about every month for me, Im a. The 2.2i4 has almost as much power as my Lexus had! Ive been in 2 accidents, only damage was to the front corner, and was cheap to fix. Replaced the timing belt, both ignition coils, and 2 oxygen sensors, and it still runs like new! 278,823 miles and counting! I plan on buying a new camry this week, deffinately keeping this one for my sons first car!

• 

  Traded Lower for a Pleasant Surprise - 2005 Toyota Matrix
  By John Bridges - March 29 - 11:56 am

  Traded in a top of the line 2001 Honda CRV because I wanted a vehicle that got better mileage, cost less, and was a bit smaller. Got all that with the Matrix and more. It is quieter, shifts more smoothly, and has a peppier engine than my old CRV (by the way, I had no trouble with my CRV - liked it but wanted to trade for reasons listed above). My ONLY problems with it so far (have owned it for only a few weeks) are that I find it disconcerting that I cant see much of the front of the vehicle while sitting in drivers seat - hard to judge how much is in front of me (I expect this "feeling" will go away with time.) So far, Im getting MUCH less gas mileage than what is advertised.