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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  Owner for 8 years - 1996 Toyota Celica
  By Dominic - March 18 - 10:00 am

  I bought my 25th anniv GT convert new and have ahd 8 years and 150k miles of trouble free ownership. 5-speed and staying out of the air conditioning = pretty decent performance, but the car would feel a bit slow to me if automatic and 4 passengers.

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  Happy Car - 2003 Toyota MR2 Spyder
  By LCCook - March 18 - 10:00 am

  I LOVE my little Spyder! It makes me smile when I see it in the garage so I call it a Happy Car. I love the Paradise Blue and hope to drive it for many years to come.

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  Good Buy - 2003 Toyota 4Runner
  By flyfisherman - March 18 - 10:00 am

  Great truck. 6600 miles in 2.5 months. Styling is a great improvement over previous years. Depreciates very little compared to most SUV vehicles (Unlike my Land Rover)Drivers seat is loose in the seat tracks which is a design flaw. I weigh over 200lbs and its noticeable especially making quick turns. Steering shakes between 55 and 70 like its out of balnace but has magically disappeared.???????

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  True SUV - 2003 Toyota 4Runner
  By JP Chris - March 18 - 10:00 am

  Built to perform as an SUV should. This is not a sissy AWD vehicle. Excellent performance for off roading and surprising smooth ride and comfort for the type of frame it is built on. Plenty of pulling power and sports-car- like acceleration. Excellent anti-roll system. Incredibly smooth auto transmission. I wasnt a big fan of Toyota to begin with. Im originally a true Jeep believer that has now seen the light.

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  Nice SUV - 2004 Toyota Highlander
  By newone/larry - March 18 - 10:00 am

  Great SUV, new powerful 3.3L engine, smooth riding, lots of standard features, lots of space and drives like a sports car.

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  Great van to drive - 2004 Toyota Sienna
  By TombRaider - March 18 - 10:00 am

  I like the new design of the gearshifter. Its comfortable to drive

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  Money well spent! - 2005 Toyota Matrix
  By Glen Frizzell - March 18 - 9:56 am

  Its almost as fun as my MR2, cooler than a minivan, slowly chews the dinosaurs (gas), is functional inside and people love my indigo ink exterior. Weve owned 2 other Toyota vehicles over the last 20 years - my wife and I put over 500,000 miles (not kilometres) on both and spent just under $900.00 Canadian total in unexpected (not routine maintenance) cost between them!

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  Good looking and fun to drive - 2005 Toyota 4Runner
  By kurt - March 18 - 7:03 am

  Ive put on about 5K miles in the last couple of months and have not been disappointed. The ride is really smooth and the V6 is more than adequate for quiet acceleration. Toyota has such a great reputation that it was really easy to buy this vehicle w/o worrying about quality. The first weekend I took it cross country skiing with 3 friends. We laid one seat down and put all the skis and poles in the back. I even slept one night in the back by putting the entire back seat down and used a sleeping bag and a pad. Im 6 tall and could sleep comfortably. This would make a great vehicle for camping no doubt. My only complaint is the stock stereo is a little anemic.

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  comfortable worry-free transportation - 2006 Toyota Camry
  By j thompson - March 18 - 5:50 am

  The Camry XLE is quiet, refined, high quality and comfortable transportation. Now I know why it is the number one or nuimber 2 selling car in the U.S. Seems to do everything well and gets 37 mpg on the highway. Am very pleased.

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  Couldnt be happier and def no regrets - 2017 Toyota Tacoma
  By Paul - March 18 - 2:32 am

  After doing a lot research and talking to people who own other tacomas, I decided to get one. After previously driving a 13 Camry se and 14 RAV4 limited, Ive got to say for a truck, Toyota has done an incredible job. Everything seems more durable and a lot easier to keep clean than my previous Toyotas. The look of this vehicle I cant stop looking at it. My parents just bought 16 Chevy Silverado 2500hd and although its an amazing truck as well but impressed that a truck thats $13k less comes with a bed liner. The ride is great and people complain about the seats, Im 511 and body builder build and Im perfectly comfortable. I do wish there was height adjustable but Im still comfortable. I love that the speed limit pops up on the instrument cluster. Gas mileage, this is a truck, not an unibody vehicle, but averaging 20.4 in mixed driving and lots of Boston traffic. Wish I got tech package with blind spot etc like rav but cant have everything. After test driving a 17 Colorado, I feel I got more bang for my buck. Bedliner, bed power outlet, keyless ignition, and the best resale value of any value on the road and it was kind of no brainier. Everyone I ask how you like your Tacoma always says I love it. I couldnt be happier and can def feel this truck will last a long time. My daily commute is hour to work and back and I dont regret getting rid of my rav. Im comfortable and just love the ride after all this is a truck and seems to me lot quieter than I thought it would be. But this is my opinion do your research and test drivers, ask people how they like their tacomas and make your decision, personal preference is key these days....