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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  Nice upgrade of a great van - 2011 Toyota Sienna
  By GMP - June 25 - 3:46 pm

  Our third Sienna. Most luxurious van on the market period - as plush as a Lexus LX, but 40K less, and with a better ride, more space and easier access. Has pretty much every techno gadget you would want. Only van with AWD option too. Nice improvements over old model - DVDs now load from front seats, 2nd row seats slide farther/easier, center console slides back, no more annoying nav warning screen and more user friendly nav, ipod now integrated with stereo, great 16" vid screen, run-flats quieter and smoother than previous model.

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  Love My Avalon - 2006 Toyota Avalon
  By Ed Hutcheson - June 25 - 1:00 pm

  The most comfortable car I have ever owned. Excellent gas mileage. Very responsive accelloration. Easy access.

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  Chose Camry over Optima - 2012 Toyota Camry
  By dlc7 - June 25 - 12:42 pm

  This is my automotive history before marriage: BMW, Porsche, Mercedes, Honda CBR - after marriage: Honda Civic, Dodge Caravan, Trek bicycle pulling a child carrier. Now Im in the market for a family sedan and I see this absolutely gorgeous car, and its a KIA? I test drive the OPTIMA LX and I felt it was terrific. The thought of a boring CAMRY did not cross my mind because I wanted the KIA!, then my wife persuades me to look at Toyota. I reluctantly go to a Toyota dealer and choose to test the CAMRY SE I4. To my amazement the SE was noticeably quieter and smoother than the KIA while having good power with sporty and confident handling. The OPTIMA is great but the SE is the car for me.

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  Im loving my rolla - 1994 Toyota Corolla
  By Todd - June 24 - 11:06 pm

  I bought this car used with 139,000 miles on it. About 4 months later, Im up to 145,000. This was just going to be a "drive to work" car to save gas. Now, its a drive all the time car. Its so easy to maneuver around town, I cant stand to drive my Taurus anymore. Gas mileage is generally around 32/33 mixed use. Have not had any mechanical issues AT ALL. Standard low beam lights were a little too low for me but the bright lights were the brightest Id seen on a car. Rear defrost is nice and this car heats up very quickly. Even with the fan off, it will roast you at full temperature. Car has plenty of power at full speed but pick-up leaves something to be desired.

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  nice truck - 2010 Toyota Tacoma
  By rev25sharp - June 24 - 5:50 am

  it is fun to drive. the back up camera is cool. i like driving it.

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  97 CE is the best!!! - 1997 Toyota Corolla
  By dsouth - June 24 - 3:46 am

  Low maintanance costs, cheap to feed, reliable, easy to work on and repair.

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  Nice Ride - 2011 Toyota Camry
  By DFP - June 24 - 3:16 am

  Traded a 2000 Camry LE with 205K, A nice hand me down,Im sorry to get rid of it but was starting to cost to keep it up 2011 Camry SE 4 cyl rocks, roomy for this big guy, nice JBL XM stereo, Bluetooth as well, 33 MPG like sticker says, getting over 500 miles per tank Great pickup when stepping on gas when need to, smooth, quiet ride.

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  Quick and Nimble - 2007 Toyota Matrix
  By Out Door Guy - June 23 - 10:16 pm

  Got rid of my Nissan Pathfinder for this ride. Ive put 800 miles on it so far without any problems. The manual tranny shift is at hand level which makes changing gears pretty effortless. Overall the vehicle is quite nimble and fun to drive although the engine is noisy in 1st and 2nd gear. Once up to speed it rides well. Mileage is a solid 26 city, 29 highway. As others have noted the suspension is stiff so when you hit a bump or pothole you feel it. As you know the storage is fantastic with hatchback convenience. If you haul a lot of outdoor gear like skiis, camping equipment or a bike this is the car for you.

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  One quick Tundra - 2007 Toyota Tundra
  By Pablo - June 23 - 10:00 pm

  Massive tire spin but that adds to the fun. Fuel economy is great for a high horsepower engine 381hp! its hard to keep your foot out of it for long. Ride is great except on the worst roads. Rear seat room is cavernous even at 61" I fit.

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  Great car - 2000 Toyota Celica
  By celicagts - June 23 - 8:06 pm

  I have owned my celica for almost a year now with no complaints. The look of the car is like no other almost like an exotic look. Performance is great but only after 6200 rpm when the "lift" hits as Toyota calls it with its variable valve timing. Handling is great even better when you put aftermarket springs in the bring the car a little lower.