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:

• 

  Best little car for the money! - 2000 Toyota Corolla
  By Leedia C. Macomber - March 25 - 2:00 am

  This little car offered more than I ever expected. Although it was a CE it had many of the power features of the fancier priced models. A big, roomy package at a small price! It definitely moves out on the highway where I do most of my driving, but the milage was always 36-40 mpg. Overall, if not an A+, it still gets an A. I just bought my second one after nearly three satisfied years! GREAT car for the money!

• 

  i love my avalon - 2000 Toyota Avalon
  By lma - March 25 - 2:00 am

  My Avalon is absolutely the best car I have ever owned.I have had no problems, it is very comortable and reliable. My 83 year old mother says her next automobile will be a Toyota Avalon.

• 

  Very Comfortable and Capable - 2003 Toyota 4Runner
  By new SUV owner - March 25 - 2:00 am

  I did research for 6 months on new and used SUVs with early favorites being the used Yukon Denali and used Toyota Land Cruiser. I was looking for a highly capable 4WD vehicle that still portrayed a luxury car feel at under $40k. The build quality on Toyota vs GMC (Chevy) was FAR superior and much better looking. The offroad capabilities of 4Runner vs LandCruiser were blurred to the point that Toyota said 4Runner was now their best off- road performer (and much cheaper!). The new size (similar to Ford Explorer), V8 option, and design (interior and exterior) made the new 4Runner a fairly easy choice.

• 

  Wish I had my 1992 LE V6 - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By JakeMcNew - March 25 - 12:53 am

  I hate to buy a new car and plastic parts begin to fall off or come loose. Shoddy workmanship? The car is still brand new and ride quality decreased quickly. Happy with gas mileage but unhappy with quality. I guess thats what happens when fine Japanese cars are built in the USA.

• 

  Solid and Reliable - 2003 Toyota Matrix
  By Grace - March 24 - 1:10 pm

  The only annoying thing about my Matrix is that the "check engine light" has been on for 4 years straight! The dealership always has a new reason for this and the fix they use only lasts for a day or two. I think it has a wonky computer. Other than that my Matrix is terrific. Its very comfortable for a tall person- plenty of leg and head room. But distance from steering wheel (long arms) could be better. Ive had no mechanical difficulties whatsoever. I do find myself wishing for faster pick-up but this not meant to be a sportscar- so for what it is (a beefed up corolla) its pretty good.

• 

  Smart choice - 2006 Toyota Sequoia
  By tony - March 24 - 12:16 pm

  This truck is awesome the power of the 4.7 engine is great. I have never had a truck with this much power. The mpg is not that bad at all. My wife fell in love with it when we drove it at the dealer. We drove all teh competitors and the Toyota was the best. Most of the other trucks were very cheaply made on the inside. I was NEVER a foreign car guy before let alone a Toyota. Now I see why people say toyotas are the best. I plan on keeping this truck for 10 years.

• 

  Amazing Car - 2008 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By JW Larson - March 24 - 11:16 am

  Went from an 06 Jeep GC LTD with Hemi and was very apprehensive about the change. After 2 days, I realized I had nothing to worry about. This is an amazing vehicle. Im very glad I switched. And there is significant gas savings per month. So many features, I cant even begin to know where to start. The ride is like floating on air. On top of that, they are holding their value very well. A big thing to consider, too, is maintenance and repairs when they come up. Toyota has had 7 years to learn the hybrid system.

• 

  WOW!!! This is nice - 2006 Toyota Sequoia
  By marv - March 24 - 12:06 am

  After looking at the upper end American suvs and Lexus GX and LX 470s, this suv just seemed to stand out. It has the complete package for me. Its (the limited model) style, comfort, quality, sound system, size and quietness all seemed to outshine the others. Im averaging 15.1 MPG around town with the V8 and 18.4 on the freeway. My wifes Jeep Liberty (3.7L) only averages 14.3 in town! So far an outstanding SUV.

• 

  196,000 Miles... Time to buy another used Camry - 2004 Toyota Camry
  By Go Toyota - March 23 - 11:07 pm

  If you change the oil, keep it tuned and do the very basics of car care...this thing runs and runs and runs. Bought this unloved Camry at an estate auction well below blue book because it had been wrecked. Had 17k on it when we bought it. Repairs were all original Toyota parts according to the local Toyota dealer. 196,000 miles later despite the abuse of one of our young male drivers and we have yet to replace any parts on the car other than brakes and tires. Were giving the car away to someone who needs reliable transportation. At 196K the engine is not using oil and the compression all checks good. I bought another Camry LE (2010) with 28K on it for the very fact that we know that these cars go the distance if you do the basic maintenance. You get a nice sedan that makes your bucks go a very long way.

• 

  Venza Regret - 2009 Toyota Venza
  By donpaluh - March 23 - 10:50 pm

  My back was hurting just from driving it home from the dealership. I figured with the almost excessive seat adjustments, I could find some setting I could live with. I am 53 years old and have never had anything like this. I have driven mostly inexpensive cars and even tractor trailer, and Ive never had this issue. I regularly drive from NYC to Buffalo (430 mi), and I dreaded my first trip in this piece of junk. Between the uncomfortable seat, poor ride, road and wind noise I have a horrible headache (which I never get) and I cant sleep again because my back hurts so bad. It has "leather" seats. This leather is below vinyl. I cannot believe how bad it looks and feels. No iPod or blu-tooth?