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:

• 

  An Outstanding Ride! - 2000 Toyota Camry
  By PharmMaster - March 9 - 8:33 am

  I am a little tired of people calling the Camry boring on this site. Of course its boring, but it will be happily running when most "sporty" rides like Jettas and Mustangs are being sold for scrap. My Camry rides like a dream and can blow the doors off most SUVs and other sedans. I love the look on some peoples faces when I blow by them in my "boring" V6 Camry. If you want a car that will run forever, never leave you stranded, and has plenty of power go for the V6!

• 

  Great car so far - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By Doug - March 9 - 5:06 am

  Just drove 1600 miles from New York State to North Carolina and back. Averaged 32 mpg for the trip. Powerful engine just ate up the hills of West Virginia & Virginia. Im 6 ft 3 and fit comfortably in the car. Great car so far. Hope it proves to be as reliable as other Camrys.

• 

  2008 Tacoma 4 dr 4x4 - 2008 Toyota Tacoma
  By jay - March 9 - 1:20 am

  The best truck on the market. The ride is amazingly comfortable, its easy to forget youre driving a truck. I traded in a 2001 Tacoma ext cab and I thought that was a great truck. The 2008 is leaps and bounds better. The only knock would be the sound system. I paid the extra money for the "premium" sound system. The performance/sound is disappointing.

• 

  Great Car - 2012 Toyota Camry
  By mlance - March 8 - 10:15 pm

  I purchased the 2012 Camry LE about 4 weeks ago. I absolutely love it. I had been driving a 2009 Camry which was a company car and was sold on the quality. The 2012 is even better! It gives a tighter ride, smoother and quieter. I took it on a road trip last weekend and the gas mileage was great. I drive mostly around town which is a combination of interstate and normal town driving (red lights, etc.) and this past week was averaging almost 32mpg - fantastic! The car has the five spoke rims and the small spoiler and gets sevaral comments and looks. I highly recommend the 2012 Camry!

• 

  06 XRS - 2006 Toyota Corolla
  By Tony M. - March 8 - 7:03 pm

  Overall the XRS is a great car. It looks and feels sporty. You get great gas mileage combined with performance and looks. The car has great acceleration and handles well on turns. It has a sleeper look so some people may confuse it for an "S" or regular corolla. Theyll be surprised. Youll hit 80 mph on the freeway without a sweat. The car is simply a lot of fun to drive.

• 

  Happy With Sienna - 2011 Toyota Sienna
  By wardw - March 8 - 4:50 pm

  This is first Toyota ever. I have always avoided them due to the rip-off junk and fees Southeast Toyota adds on to the stickers. They still do it but are doing a little better job of hiding them. At any rate, I bought it because of the large amount of space between the first and second row seats (due to the second row seats long travel). While yes, some of the dash components are cheap, I can live with it. They at least made an effort to make a minivan look different. The engine is smooth and the new six speed trany works well.

• 

  Why did they stop making this? - 2001 Toyota Echo
  By achfc - March 8 - 12:33 am

  This has been the best car I owned. I have 160,000 miles and have NEVER had a single problem. I did not need brakes until 135,000. There is no rust anywhere, and Id drive it anywhere! This car has better leg and head room than most any other car Ive sat in. Fun to drive and great mileage (>40 hwy). Great stereo too! Why did they stop making this?

• 

  Great fuel saver - 2003 Toyota Prius
  By DMcGee - March 7 - 10:00 am

  Excellent vehicle, would never give it up. Going to buy the Toyota hybrid SUV once it is avalible.

• 

  My Corolla - 2001 Toyota Corolla
  By Vetdoc - March 7 - 10:00 am

  I bought this car used with 54000 miles on it and It has had no problems. I love the compact, but still spacious on the inside. I was driving and I was rear ended by an SUV HARD!!! I got it repared and it is still like new now. Just showes the reliability and duribility.

• 

  More than I expected - 2010 Toyota Highlander
  By nigthhawk779 - March 7 - 4:32 am

  Well I wrote a review after 15000 miles and nothing has changed. Same car tires etc., excellent 33000 miles the tires. I read reviews about tire wearing our at 5000 miles . I now wonder what that diver did to make them wear out. Like I stated in the initial review great pick-up styling and love all of the extras. The only think is that I got a couple of rock chips in the windshield and it is 700+ to replace because of the heated base for the wipersse of heated base for the wipers