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 car ever - 2003 Toyota Camry
  By moneys - May 26 - 10:00 am

  this is the best car i ever driven. even better than the honda accord. the pricing is excellent. the 250plus sound system. toyota have done an excellent job in making their cars. keep it up.

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  CE for ME - 2004 Toyota Sienna
  By mikesteve - May 26 - 10:00 am

  The CE model is the hidden jewel of the pack. Why pay for power doors if you dont need them. Option package #3 gives you nearly evry new feature available, including airbag curtain, traction control, roof rack, daytime running lights, and stability control, and the van comes in under $26,000. You get the exact same engine and transmission as the top of the line Sienna, which costs over $40,000. The seats are comfortable, but advise fabric protection if you have messy passengers (kids).

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  Corrolla Good Car - 2005 Toyota Corolla
  By Rtoddk06257 - May 26 - 10:00 am

  CorollaS is a good car, the interior is pieced together to cheap as to what you pay for the car. It is a good handling car, nice look improved 100% over the years.

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  2006 RAV4 - 2006 Toyota RAV4
  By MCP - May 26 - 1:33 am

  Lots of fun to drive! An SUV that drives like a sports sedan. Very comfortable, roomy, exceeds all expectations. Decent fuel economy.

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  May be best Camry yet!! - 2012 Toyota Camry
  By piratemorgan - May 26 - 1:01 am

  I say "may" because Toyota has just a little work left to do with this generation. Comparing to a previously owned 2010 Camry SE 4-cylinder--- Exterior: The new bodywork is stylish (didnt reinvent the wheel here), love the new front fascia (SE only, not fond of LE or XLE front fascia) Interior: vastly improved Performance: better downshifts, car allowed to coast now, still has mpg saving abrupt upshifts dealt with by mashing down gas pedal a little more. Nothing like having a tranny bog down a fine tuned 4-cyl.

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  2001 Toyota Highlander - 2001 Toyota Highlander
  By larry - May 26 - 12:23 am

  After 41/2 years, we love the Highlander. Mileage shows about 21 in town and 24 on the road. Stability control helps in ice and snow. Quality of materials and construction are outstanding. Overall, a real winner.

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  Everything I Hoped It Would Be - 2008 Toyota Highlander
  By myersjl42 - May 25 - 1:23 am

  We had been researching SUVs for over 6 months and finally narrowed down our choice to the 08 Highlander. Toyota won me over with my 96 4Runner that had 180,000 miles on it and was still going strong! But with 2 kids in carseats the 4Runner was too small in the back. The difference in room is awesome!! I am 5-10 and my husband is 6-2 and we do not feel cramped at all. My husband was skeptical because it looks smaller on the outside than it really is. It is an all around great ride with too many favorite features to list. So far it has been worth the extra dough that it takes to get into a new Toyota.

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  The perfect car for high gas prices - 2012 Toyota Prius v
  By chet11 - May 25 - 12:49 am

  I like everything about our Prius V! It is fun to drive and the MPG is averaging 43. Plenty of room in the back for two adults and when you put the seats down...the room is wonderful.

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  Bulletproof... - 2005 Toyota 4Runner
  By keokisan - May 24 - 8:53 am

  Great overall vehicle! 4x4 in snow EXCELLENT! Rides better than C-Class Benz. Ended up selling Benz was driving my SR5 90% of the time. Took a road trip from Seattle to Santa Monica and it drove like a DREAM. I have owned many, many vehicles. My advise: "GET YOUR HANDS ON A TOYOTA"! My 2005 looks brand new, gas, oil and scheduled maint. is all I do. It NEVER FAILED, EVER... Just gas and oil.

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  Good All Around Vehicle - 2004 Toyota 4Runner
  By patagoniaguy2 - May 23 - 11:08 pm

  I purchased my 2004 Toyota 4Runner Sport Edition 8 months ago and it had 159,000 miles, it now has 170,000. Overall it has been a great vehicle. The ride is very smooth and the 4 wheel drive has been great. Since I purchased it I have had to have somethings fixed. The exhaust manifolds on the 2003-2009 4Runners have an issue with leaking. I had them replaced with an aftermarket part, and that so far has resolved that issue. I noticed the radiator leaking on the left hand side, and had that replaced. I will have to have the rearend rebuilt since I am starting to hear a whining noise.