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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  Solara, A Great Touring Convertible - 2006 Toyota Camry Solara
  By Michael Byrnes - November 26 - 6:06 am

  I bought this vehicle for the Toyota name and because I didnt want a small convertible. It was recommended by Consumer Reports as well. The other mid size convertibles were either too "old looking to me or too pricey. This vehicle allows us to bring two or three friends along. The 2006 Solara has a very smooth ride, stability and traction control, the seating is great, its very comfortable getting in and out, and its a pleasure on the open road, top down. There is almost no detectable engine noise. In fact the only flaw is at low speeds, 15 to 30 mph, when the gas and the transmission seem to resist acceleration enough to make it feel like its dragging before it kicks in and leaps forward.

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  1 year and going strong - 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
  By Jane and John - November 26 - 2:13 am

  My wife and I are so happy that we wanted to give an update. We have had our hybrid 1 year and 20K miles later. The performance has been flawless. MPG averages 27, not bad given a lot of AC use in the south. Absolutely NO mechanical problems. As the gas prices rise, our happiness with this vehicle rises proportionally. Toyota quality so far so good and as advertised.

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  New to Toyota - 2006 Toyota Prius
  By Bruce - November 25 - 11:56 pm

  This is my first Toyota, and hybrid. It is just fun to drive and try to beat the computer. Everyone I know asks to take it for a test drive. The smart key is great. The only time I take the key out is to get into my home. Living in Florida, You MUST tint the windows. The seats and instruments are nicely grouped and comfortable, Not the car for you if you are a smoker. The steering wheel controls are all convenient and even large passengers say they are comfortable in front or back seats. Great premium sound and extra phone or mp3 jacks. One word to describe this car is COMFORTABLE!

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  Prius - 2005 Toyota Prius
  By mar1234 - November 25 - 5:03 pm

  Great car. Would purchase another one when our family needs another car. I get over 50 mpg.

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  Good Vehicle for the Money - 2008 Toyota Corolla
  By RBGreen - November 25 - 3:30 pm

  First new vehicle we have purchased for a number of years, so we were looking for a great value. I have owned Toyotas in the past and have been impressed with their reliability. We compared this car against the Honda Civic and Mazda 3. We liked the Mazda the best based on design, look and finish, but decided it wasnt worth the extra $2-3K. Honda was overpriced as well. Overall we are satisfied except I hope the gas mileage improves with age. We have been getting mid-20s on a mix of urban/rural commuting and the best so far was 32 mpg on an all interstate highway trip. Driver comfort is not great on long trips. Steering wheel is too far away when you adjust the seat for proper leg room

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  Love it - 2007 Toyota Yaris
  By javi67 - November 25 - 10:03 am

  This was only the second new car Ive ever bought and I love it. I was one of the first people in LA to drive one and i loved the looks and the comments, most of them made while I was in the car. Great gas mileage. Love my iPod jack. I can fit all sizes of people in it. Its white and its been nicknamed the "tic-tac". Now I see them everywhere - dont you just hate that? ;-)

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  Luv My Camry - 1994 Toyota Camry
  By Chris Ryan - November 25 - 10:00 am

  never been to the shop for anything serious, just normal checkup, creat built car

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  Have to love it! - 2004 Toyota Matrix
  By Mighty Mouse - November 25 - 10:00 am

  My girlfriend and my self were looking for a new vehicle that would fit in our college budgets. We love to travel and snowboard so it needed to have lots of room. We initially looked at small trucks, but when my girlfriend saw this car in the showroom, she looked as if she had found her second love! She always wanted the VW Golf, but it was just too small for our needs. The Matrix provided the size and looks we wanted. We ended up going with the standard version because the XR and XRS were just too low to the ground for any gravel roads. I wouldnt really call it sporty, but it is fun to drive.

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  GOOD CAR FOR SHORT PEOPLE - 2002 Toyota RAV4
  By MARK SCHOLZ - November 25 - 10:00 am

  IS MY WIFES CAR, SHE LOVES IT AND I DONT MIND IT. ACCELERATION IS SLUGGISH UNLESS YOU FLOOR IT THEN IT TAKES OFF. WE HAVE DRIVEN IT TO FLORIDA 3 TIMES (3000MILES) AND I WAS VERY COMFORTABLE (63") MY ONLY COMPLAINTS ARE; PASSENGER POWER MIRROR HAS LIMITED ADJUSTABILITY CANT PUT IT HIGH ENOUGH TO SEE WELL. WIND NOISE FROM WINDSHIELD AT 65 MPH AND ABOVE. i PUT A K+N FILTER ON IT WHICH HELPED MILEAGE AND PERFORMANCE. WE AVERAGE 24 MPG CITY AND HIGHWAY. 28MPG IS THE BEST WEVE SEEN (4X4 AUTO) WHEN I DRIVE I GET ABOUT 23 MPG ON THE HIGHWAY DOING WELL OVER 65. DONT BOTHER WITH THE ANTILOCK BRAKES, YOU DONT NEED THEM. NOTHING HAS BROKE. HAPPY WITH QUALITY

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  My second 4Runner - 2004 Toyota 4Runner
  By Neospazzy - November 25 - 10:00 am

  The 2004 models got rid of the matte- finished fender flares on all the trims. They are replaced by the color coded ones. I was deciding on either the Caddy SRX, Infiniti FX-35, and the Lexus RX330 and realized that none of these cars will bear the truck-like performance I have grow to love from the my old 2001 4Runner SR5. This new V6 engine can really launch the car through the passing lane without effort. The new model also dampens the exterior road noise.