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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  A great van - 2003 Toyota Sienna
  By mjsohel - January 21 - 10:00 am

  I took delivery of my 03 Sienna yesterday. And I love it I just wish it came with a better Horse Power,Standard Awd,an air compressor like on the GM cars, also an Onstar* system, and a navigation system like on the honda,more cupholders,automatic tailgate,fold down third row seat,add more colors,make the interior materials good, make the ride good and eliminate the ratlles and squeaks. Other than that its set.

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  Great Crossover SUV - 2002 Toyota Highlander
  By Navy - January 21 - 10:00 am

  I bought the Highlander after totalling a minivan in a rollover accident. This is the second Toyota product I have owned and am always pleased with the engineering and quality of construction of the Toyota line. The Highlander is no exception. It rides like a dream with the visibility I was accustomed to in the minivan but without the mommobile stigma my teens objected to. I did lots of research before choosing another vehicle and the safety of the Highlander was of great importance. So far so good...

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  Sorry Chevrolet.... - 2002 Toyota Camry
  By D Stewart - January 21 - 10:00 am

  For $26,000 I got a lexus ES 300 without the Lexus price. This car is big! Really big. My boss has a Chysler 300M and it is nearly Identical in size. I drive 45k to 50k miles a year. I know that Ill get 200k out of this car. I looked at the Impala LS and for a few dollars more I got a Camry SE V6 loaded.

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  Toyota Camry - 2002 Toyota Camry
  By MrChips - January 21 - 10:00 am

  Classy style with pep!

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  Works as Advertised - 2005 Toyota Prius
  By JimK - January 21 - 9:20 am

  The Prius has been completely reliable as I anticipated from owning several Toyota models. The hybrid system works silently while providing a lifetime MPG of 47. The car is roomy and comfortable for 4 adults.

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  272,000 miles and counting - 1997 Toyota T100
  By Tuck in Houston - January 21 - 6:23 am

  I bought my truck new, it had 2.5 miles on it; probably putting it on and taking it off the ship from Japan. All 271,996.5 miles are MINE. This is a great truck, the best vehicle I have ever owned, no complaints. I have replaced the clutch; taught my wife to drive a standard. Currently in the process of having the interior restored, new carpet and door upholstery. Good for another 272k!!

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  Love Our New Land Cruiser! - 2016 Toyota Land Cruiser
  By Byron M - January 21 - 1:50 am

  I researched a long time for the right go anywhere, family hauler that had to double as my daily driver. I needed something with 3 rows of seats that could be a family vehicle with young kids, get me to and through a hunting camp and fishing adventures, and haul a boat or car trailer. Plus I wanted something a little more masculine than a minivan to be perfectly honest. I looked at most full size SUVs, but decided to limit my search to body on frame construction for ruggedness. That narrowed the field substantially. The Land Cruiser ended up checking the most boxes and being the right fit for our needs. So far it has been a great truck. Its very smooth and quiet on the road. I havent got to test it off road yet, but with its reputation, im not worried. The interior is very nice, but not up the the level of the Mercedes or Range Rover. The money is really going towards other things in this vehicle. I love how it feels so solid and well built. This thing should last a long time with minimal maintenance. Maybe im being silly, but I really appreciate how the LC has an old school beefy parking break lever and mechanical shift lever, not those dinky little electronic things everyone else seems to be going to. Most of the time the not too flashy, understated appearance, and Toyota badge is a welcome benefit when trying not to attract attention. I have been averaging about 16-17 MPG (per the computer) with an even mix of highway, country roads, and city. Not great, but better than expected. There are a few small criticisms that any potential buyers should be aware of. The fuel tank should be larger to accommodate for the gas mileage giving it more range. In other countries they have auxiliary fuel tanks, not sure why they dont offer it in the US, but they need to. Another is when the fuel light comes on and the gage reads nearly empty and the range is at 0, there is actually 6-7 gallons left in the tank. I wish they didnt design it this way, as I prefer to know what my fuel situation is with some level of accuracy. These two issues combined lead me to visit the pump after about 250 miles. Another small gripe is how the fold to the side third row seems to limit cargo space more than I thought it would. All these issues do little to diminish the overall package however. This thing is really the last of an era. If you need to move a family and you value top build quality, second to none ruggedness, serious off road ability, and rare these days long term reliability, there is no other choice.

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  Perfect familly vehicle - 2000 Toyota Sienna
  By omar - January 21 - 12:16 am

  I love everything about it. Not heavy on fuel very comfortable and convenient. Powerful engine runs smooth.

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  Beats having a car payment! - 1994 Toyota Camry
  By Average Joe - January 20 - 8:48 am

  Update: Five days later, the thieves stole all the parking marker lights, the taillights, the headlights, the drive shifter and my dashcam, and other parts to make the car not street legal. This is the first and LAST time I buy a Toyota product for that very reason. I buy the car to drive, not to have a roving parts store in front of my job and apartment. The Camry is too high on the most-stolen list and I should have known better, but now my faith in humanity is very low and I will TRUST NO ONE. DO NOT BUY A USED CAMRY, YOU ARE ASKING TO HAVE IT STRIPPED OR STOLEN. ------------------------------------------ What a great car this 1994 Camry is. Once the lease was up on my new car, I decided to make a clean break and start over with a well running, older car without all the bells and whistles, without all the distracting gadgets. I encountered a really nice, white 1994 Toyota Camry with a fair amount of miles on it, but the price was fair for the condition and it drove beautifully. Unlike my other (new) car, visibility improved by 50%. No huge pillars blocking the side view. No sharp angle on the rear window blocking the rear view. Overall, the car is just that--a car--unremarkable, plain, simple and elegant in its uncomplication. It goes from A to B in all kinds of weather, I can see everything, so it feels like a well-insulated go-cart. Rain, cold, snow and ice are no problem, and unlike a new car, I can put snow cables on my Camry and chew up the snow and ice like butter, because the clearance is there between the wheel and the strut. 14" wheels mean I wont have to take out a loan to buy tires. Not much else to say, except that I love it, being just another Joe on the road with another cookie cutter car, humble, no expectations, no need to see if anyone is looking as I drive by, ego free. Perfect. And cheap!

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  Great car - 2006 Toyota Matrix
  By frst toyota - January 19 - 4:50 pm

  This is my first Toyota, but it wont be my last. This is a fun little car that is nimble and fun to drive. The AWD is a must here in the mountains and this car gets great mileage also. There is good visibility from the drivers seat and good take-off from the little four. The a/c works well enough to keep everyone cool. We love this little wagon.