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 Little Car - 2002 Toyota Echo
  By CharlieA - May 17 - 2:00 am

  A lovely little vehicle. I am 62" tall. I sit upright in the drivers seat, with plenty of room above the top of my hat. The only negative comfort feature is the foot rest for the left foot, sized for a midget. That can be uncomfortable, particularly for long drives. I waited three months for delivery of my Echo from Japan, in order to get an Antilock Braking System (ABS); a very worthwhile choice.

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  Sienna LE - 2001 Toyota Sienna
  By Sienna Driver - May 17 - 2:00 am

  Dependable vehicle. Next best thing to Honda Odyssey on the market. Went with the Sienna because it was thousands less than the Honda.

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  You Cant Go Wrong - 2000 Toyota Avalon
  By jsigma87 - May 17 - 2:00 am

  After reading the reviews, I had to comment on those who gave less than average, i.e. especially the 4.6 rating. Where did you buy this one? It must have been from a salvage yard because you couldnt have brought it from a reliable and well respected Toyota dealership. I shopped for weeks before deciding on this car. Regarding the the roominess, reliablity, and performance this car gives you more than you can imagine. When we have family and friends ride with us they are totally shocked by the performance, style, and ride of this vehicle.

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  excellent - 2002 Toyota Sequoia
  By Damian Leonard - May 17 - 2:00 am

  Best buy for the bucks in large SUVs

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  2003 Camry XLE review - 2003 Toyota Camry
  By bombayite - May 17 - 2:00 am

  Great deal for a great car from dealer in central NJ. Quiet ride even at highway speed, wonderful JBL audio w/6 disc changer, comfortable leather seats. Wood trim on dash, leather wrapped steering wheel, leather seats w/heated front seats, power driver/pass. seats. Power Moonroof, ABS, largest trunk in its class (all mid-size sedans incl. luxury).

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  Love my new Minivan - 2005 Toyota Sienna
  By 2005 Toyota Sienna - May 16 - 8:16 am

  I had no choice but to get a minivan. Being that I am 25 and have one child and more soon to come, I felt stuck. 25 year olds dont drive minivans I thought. Now that I have one all my friends are jealous because of its comfort and room for anything and everything. My mom drives a SUV and she is jealous of all the room I have. With one little pull of a seat everything folds down just like that! I love It!!!

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  L O V E this car! - 2012 Toyota Prius
  By frabjous - May 16 - 4:39 am

  I purchased the 12 Pkg 4 with the solar sun roof and just love it! I traded in my 04 Chevy Trailblazer XLT for this and will NEVER be going back to an SUV. I thought it would take a little bit to get used to, but that was not the case. Its sporty, its zippy and much quicker to the "get go" than any SUV ive ever driven. Tons and tons of features. I love that it is tiny, but not really. There is TONS of space. I love that I get about 45 MPG instead of 15 (I even got 76 MPG in the Black Hills!) Gas savings are huge! My suggestion is to compare this car to your current car, not to other hybrids. I save over $200/month on gas alone from my previous car. Toyota has been around!

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  Tundra has done it again!! - 2005 Toyota Tundra
  By fuego - May 16 - 3:06 am

  This is my 3rd Toyota truck, definitely not my last. Once again, Toyota has enhanced their truck package by adding 42 more hp, and the nifty power rear window. I had considered a Nissan Titan this time around, but the Tundra has better style and a considerably smoother ride. Anyone looking for a 2005 truck should at least test drive a Tundra, it is best all-around full size pickup on the market.

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  The best decision I ever made besides my marriage - 2006 Toyota Prius
  By joyfulnoise - May 15 - 6:48 pm

  Purchased in summer 2006. With just under 141,000 miles, Ive loved this car every minute Ive driven it. Average mix of city/hwy I get 50-55 mpg, with full highway driving 49-53 depending on length of the drive (a few hours vs. much longer distances.) regular gas. It has saved me a fortune in gas and like the 4 Toyotas I owned before it since 1981, it has been continuously reliable. In spring 2012 my hybrid battery died at @128K. I decided: Why buy a new car? Theres none better on the market. Replaced the hybrid battery for $2400, now have another 100K warranty on battery. Few things have been a problem - headlights expensive, struts went at 89K, but virtually nothing else. AMAZING car.

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  so far, so good - 2004 Toyota Tacoma
  By Beemer - May 15 - 4:33 am

  For the money spent, the truck could have a few more bells and whistles. A good solid truck so far.