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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  2003 Camry - 2003 Toyota Camry
  By jdr - April 22 - 7:33 am

  I had this car for 3 years and drive to work 70 miles a day. All that has been done is oil changes and general maintenance. I have had no breakdowns. Just check the brake linings again, 1/3 of pad left at 100,000 miles (original pads). Never had this happen with any car. Car runs as it did when new. No rattles.

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  Buy it for economy - 2009 Toyota Yaris
  By John - April 22 - 6:06 am

  I rented a similar Yaris last summer, and got 39 mpgs. My Mazda 5 was out of warranty and I was intrigued with this little cruizer again and gave up some room and features for the economy of the Toyota Yaris S. I like the look of the S model. I miss the steering wheel controls I had on my Mazda, and the plastic in the yaris smells funny in a cheap way, but the car seems to run on vapors, and rarely needs a fill up. Fun to drive, parked next to a Mini Cooper the other day, and loved the way the S looked sitting next to a much more expensive car, great stance!

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  Well satisfied - 2006 Toyota Avalon
  By Siskiyoublue - April 21 - 9:50 pm

  Bought this car in March. The more I drive the Avalon the more I like the car. I added the navigation system and put on mud guards and side moldings. Installed satellite radio which is heaven. No more ads.

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  I love my Yaris - 2008 Toyota Yaris
  By Peggy - April 21 - 5:56 pm

  I did research before getting this car. Got it yesterday and love it, love it, love it. It is like driving a sports car. I had a lot of errands to run and the gas gauge barely moved. It is zippy, picks up speed on the highway nicely. It is great fun!

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  Won over - 2013 Toyota Avalon
  By sullivan3 - April 21 - 9:36 am

  I bought the Avalon Touring XLE model in March 2013. Initially, I was a bit disappointed in the quality of the ride. I thought there was too much road feel. This October, I drove it to Ohio and Indiana from Florida. It performed amazingly and I am now smitten with this machine. I really enjoy driving it and on a smooth road, it is terrific. I am averaging nearly 30 mpg . My driving is all at 60mph where I live . No regrets on this purchase.

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  Great car - 2009 Toyota Venza
  By John - April 21 - 3:03 am

  It is truly a unique looking car. I didnt want a car that looked like every other on the street. Mileage is better than expected, 25/32mpg. The power is a little less than expected. The Sunset Bronze is a great one of a kind color. It is an all around fun car.

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  So Far, Almost an A+ - 2010 Toyota Corolla
  By JimB - April 20 - 9:46 pm

  I really dont know where some of these negative reviews are coming from. I am 60 years old and used to sell Toyotas back in the 1980s, when you where lucky if you could buy one for MSRP. People where getting on lists to wait for one and most where sold by the time they hit the lot. This car is so much better in all aspects than the Toyota Corollas of those days. I love the way it looks and drives, not to mentions the 35 mpg that I averaged on the 1st 3 tanks of gas. I paid right at invoice for the car and got 60 months at 0% financing and because I traded in a 12 yr old Toyota Sienna with 170,000 miles on it, I was given a 2-year free maintenance agreement at no additional cost.

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  Yahoo, Im back in the saddle again - 2006 Toyota Tacoma
  By Svend - April 20 - 4:13 pm

  This truck drives like a sports car, yet has the capabilities of a large truck. Moving down the freeway, if I only want silence I can shut off the cd/radio, outside road noise is minimal at best. Load it up with bed full of dirt and still has get up and go, and with the locking dif no issues going through the soft stuff. I havent had any issues squeezing into parking places where ever I go, only problem so far has been at the gas pump where I spend more time there than I want talking with everbody about the truck.

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  Great hybrid - 2012 Toyota Prius v
  By tobdog - April 20 - 1:41 pm

  First time hybrid owner. Traded a v6 turbo Audi so of course a bit slower but expected. Fun to drive with hybrid feature and great electronics. Kids love the computer display and system. Couple of drawbacks include lack of leather as an option on the v five. Interior is a bit "plastic". Other concern is we are only averaging about 31 mpg after first 60 miles. Hope it improves.

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  Thinks its a Lexus - 2002 Toyota Camry Solara
  By freindinthebiz - April 20 - 4:43 am

  I sell nearly every other Brand of automobile except Toyota. My wife has had a wealth of nice cars before and since our marriage. The 1999 Solara I am reviewing is the nicest we have ever owned. Smooth, quiet, roomy, comfortable and great value for the money spent.