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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  Why buy a Lexus - 2003 Toyota Avalon
  By yale - April 4 - 2:00 am

  I cannot believe the way my car rides. We took a trip for thanksgiving around 600 miles, my wife wouldnt let me drive. This car drives like a dream. Great sound system. The only problem I had was staying awake. My biggest problem so far is all its been doing is snowing, of course I keep my car under cover at that point, but I cant keep it clean with all the salt on the road. I hope this is the biggest problem I ever have with my toyota. All I can say is what a car. My mechanic who works on my audi tt told me the only difference between my toyota avalon xls and lexus, is the name plate. I LOVE IT..

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  Tacoma 4x4 - 2001 Toyota Tacoma
  By jonusko - April 4 - 2:00 am

  This is my second Toyota truck. My first lasted 10 years and it was still going strong when I sold it. This new truck has all of the features that I wanted in my old one. I have already driven it to Alaska and down to the tip of Baja. I have the confidence that it will get me where I want to go.

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  One of the Best! - 2003 Toyota RAV4
  By Anselmo - April 4 - 2:00 am

  The RAV4 L I purchased in December is one of the finest vehicles I have ever owned. It is quiet and idles like our Toyota Camry. It is fun to drive and is outstanding in snow!

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  The Tacoma Delivers! - 2002 Toyota Tacoma
  By MikeDean - April 4 - 2:00 am

  What else can be said about the worlds greatest mid-sized truck? I have the crew cab TRD V6. When I first saw this vehicle on the road last year, I knew I had to have one. There is no one thing I am disappointed in.

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  BEST SUV IVE EVER DRIVEN - 2003 Toyota Highlander
  By KNUTSEN - April 4 - 2:00 am

  I DRIVEN SEVERAL SUVS IN MY TIME BUT I HAVE NEVER DRIVEN AN SUV LIKE THIS ONE. THE BEST

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  nothing like it - 2006 Toyota Land Cruiser
  By Marilynn English - April 3 - 7:06 pm

  I have a 2002 Landcruiser and absolutely love it. Traded my 2000 4 Runner for a2005 BMW X5. Turned in under the lemon law...fuel gauge never worked properly and it just stopped one day...BMW gave me a 2006 version but I could never get comfortable with it and kept watching to see if it would light up...check engine soon. After only 3,000 miles, I went back to Toyota and another Landcruiser. It is great on long trips, handles like a dream and have had absolutely no problems with my 2002 model. Reliability is number one to me being a single female.

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  Most Fun-to-Drive Car Ive Ever Owned! - 2005 Toyota Camry Solara
  By Sharon S - April 3 - 4:40 pm

  This is the first convertible that Ive owned and I absolutely love it! Its a beautiful car on the outside and very stylish on the inside. The ride is smooth and quieter than I expected for a soft top. The seats are very comfortable and the sound system is nice... basically like sitting in your living room chair, listening to your stereo. Reviewers on other sites complain about the lack of sports car performance on this car, but this not a sports car, its a touring car with extra horses. Lastly, the price is right for those like me, looking for luxury at a reasonable price. It even uses regular 87 octane gas! This car strikes just the right balance between practical and fun.

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  Pass (by) the gas! - 2008 Toyota Prius
  By Happy - April 3 - 11:36 am

  After 4000 miles our total mpg. is 51.3 - this calculated using paper and pencil, not the mileage computer in the car. Even on the interstate we average 48+ mpg at 70 to 74 mph. The Prius mileage computer is close to accurate, claiming my mpg. for 4000 miles to be 52.1. My shoulder is sore from patting myself on the back for deciding to buy when I did.

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  Updated from 2nd Gen to new one and happy I did. - 2016 Toyota Tacoma
  By TACO man - April 3 - 8:53 am

  I loved my 2011 SR5, which I drove for almost 5 years and now having the Limited 2016 I can give you my opinion on the difference. Gen 2 was great value for the money I paid upfront. It never let me down and never broke down and it drove like a light truck loose and fast when you needed it. It gave me on average 19MPG, but it was pretty beat up from doing things around the house and just driving it a lot during that time. I traded it in with 93K miles and expected to get nothing for it, but I was very surprised when the dealer said Id get 18K for the trade in, so I decided to spoil myself and get the top of the line 2016. I was really looking to buy the 1794 Tundra, but the gas MPG scared me away. Oh just a side note Dealer and everyone Ive asked said they wont put a diesel engine on the tundra, so that dream of better MPG is shot. 2016 Limited Tacoma "BAD" truth is so far I dont like the Acceleration on the highway, when trying to pass someone It feels a bit heavy and as if youre dragging a big load. The 2011 didnt feel heavy to me and was very quick in my opinion. The other small issue Im noticing so far is the steering wheel control in relation to the Entune system. I feel the controls from the driving stand point could have been a little better integrated with that system when trying to switch from app to app or from control to control. It does switch stations and control the sound easy, but thats about it. The "Great" Even though I listed two small issues above, everything else so far is nothing but great. I love the leather seat quality and how rugged the truck feels and looks. The pictures online doesnt do this truck any justice as I was pleasantly surprised by the quality when I finally got my truck. The steering wheel is an upgrade from before, the quality in material, the sunroof isnt an issue for me and Im 62", the space inside is about the same as before. Love the feel of driving the truck, even though it feels heavy that also makes it feel as if its hugging the road and can go through anything. The 2nd gen hit a pot hole and the steering would shake and move the truck around, where this one hit the same hole and jumped over it with ease. The noise levels are very much improved, the sound from the JBL system is great almost feels as load as my old school box and amp from the late 90s. Outside the truck the limited rims and tires are good quality and look good, the cover is easy to fold and use and the locking tailgate is my #1 feature improvement, besides other improvements. Overall the truck feels like a mini tundra now and still looks a lot like the older Tacoma so Im pleased. Oh I paid 40K, which I thought was a lot, but my friend got a small land rover for around the same price and I much prefer my truck, so I guess all prices of cars have gone up a lot.

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  Happy Prius Owner - 2005 Toyota Prius
  By Margaret - April 3 - 8:13 am

  No problems at all. Gas mileage is running between 45 and 49 each time. I have not seen a 50 average yet. I only do city driving....I keep hoping to go over the 50 mpg.... ANY suggestions??? By the way... I also own a Lexus LS and I most often drive the Prius!