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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  Cladding, dash (odometer, TAC, etc.) - 2003 Toyota 4Runner
  By ajivoin - January 4 - 2:00 am

  The design change is excellent except for the crappy cheap looking ugly pathetic cladding. The tri-circular silver dash (odometer, dash) is also a major style flaw. The gauges are smaller than the previous 4Runner edition and the orange back lighting is a joke. This is a 4Runner not a sports car. The shifter is also a sports car design, not necessary in a SUV.

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  Good Switch from a - 2002 Toyota Highlander
  By Good to Go - January 4 - 2:00 am

  Having worn-out our second Blazer we hit the lots looking for another SUV. Tried the new GM products...Envoy, Trailblazer, Tahoe...but one drive in the Highlander and we were hooked. The Camry base is evident over the other SUV offerings, with a car like drive and handle...smooth, comfy and hugs the road. We do not tow but appreciate the peppy V6, traction system and mpg...a quality buy!

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  From Explorer to Highlander - 2003 Toyota Highlander
  By SacDriver - January 4 - 2:00 am

  I used to drive an Explorer unitl I recently sold it and got a Highlander. The ride and comfort is like night and day. The Highlander is so smooth and responsive. Its a joy to drive. The interior is classic, comfortable and well designed, while the engine is quiet and reliable. The only complaint is when the rear windows are rolled down with the front windows up, it sounds like a helicopter is landing on you. Ive heard of this condition with the Highlander before and it is loud, but we never drive with only the rear windows down so its not a real problem for us.

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  Long time owner, still a fan - 2000 Toyota Celica
  By ME1 - January 3 - 4:50 pm

  I have owned this car for almost a decade now. Ive had it stolen, the rims were stolen while I was in Basic Training, and crashed it at least 5 times (once for over 10,000 dollars worth of damage, lol) I still love this car. I finally bought it three years ago, and am now finally finishing a lot of the projects I thought, my meager budget could handle (stereo, performance parts, etc.). It was rough on clutches, 2 in the last 100,000 miles, or maybe I was rough on clutches. Great brakes, only changed twice. Tires normally go out about every two years, but you cant have everything. (I blame the stopping power.) Im having trouble finding what to replace.

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  Toyota Avalon Limited 2005 - 2005 Toyota Avalon
  By Sharron Zeisman - January 3 - 10:53 am

  This is my second lease of an Avalon. It is a dream to drive as I have arthritus, and It is so comfortable. It drives as though it it the top of the Lexus Brand. Most of the high-end extras that the Lexus has comes standard on the Limited. It has items that I never would have thought I needed. Its keyless entry is great as are all of its other extras. This truly drives like a car that starts at $50,000. I have driven "luxury cars" for years. There is not much difference.

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  My 2008 Camry - 2008 Toyota Camry
  By Katie - January 3 - 7:30 am

  I just recently purchased a 2008 Camry LE. I love it so far. I like the brightness of the dashboard and the exterior design. It rides smoothly and I am still on the same tank of gas that the care came with and I purchased it 2 weeks ago. I would highly recommend this car to anyone!

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  Happy - 2016 Toyota Tacoma
  By vic wojnowski - January 3 - 6:07 am

  Tipical toyota, firm ride & steering, simple controls, solid feel, good storage . Navigation screen hard to see in bright light, transmission shifts out of lower gear to quickley. Gas milage for a truck is good. Size of veh. is perfect, not to big or small.

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  Bought to sell, but decided to keep. - 2007 Toyota Avalon
  By Ben Hubby - January 3 - 12:51 am

  Great acceleration, sports suspension for cornering, mileage on premium gas is 33 MPG. How do you beat that with a 268 HP engine?

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  worst seats EVER!!!! - 2016 Toyota Corolla
  By will hill - January 2 - 1:12 pm

  This was just given to me as a company car. I drive about 85k miles a year. So when I first got in it looked really nice lots of cool new option nice layout. until I noticed only one power outlet I have search the whole car very weird in this day and age but not a deal breaker so far. After I started driving home from the office which is two hour drive i made it about an hour down the interstate and had to get out the seat was killing lower back my arms were also tired because the steering is not telescopic and you have to reach for it so the arm rest are only there for decoration. I am only 510" but I do believe this car is design for shorter people. Just to make it clear I am not here to beat on Toyota I travel allot and I drive all types of rental cars and this is by far the worst car I have ever driven Hopefully they can return this monday...

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  best car on the road - 2004 Toyota Land Cruiser
  By wa blevins - January 2 - 10:00 am

  this is my 5th landcruiser and my next car will be a landcruiser.