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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  Avalon Experience - 2005 Toyota Avalon
  By Bob Daugherty - December 11 - 12:23 am

  The car is more than can be expected for the price. The Avalon is more Lexus than Toyota. It delivers what Toyota (Lexus) promises in every department.

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  94 corolla - 1994 Toyota Corolla
  By ryito11223344 - December 10 - 11:54 pm

  thank you 1994 toyota corolla for saving my life! i bought in 2009 with 165.000 on her. had untill today 1-11-11 and those were some of the best moments of my life! fun to drive, great maneuvering, awsome on gas $20 lasted 2weeks easy with the 10 gallon tank. very reliable, would of drove her cross country if i could. but today is the end of it all when somone didnt yeild at the end of the offramp, and cutting off a four lane st rt, which basicly means i t boned her in the side. i seen her coming and hit the brakes (with this ohio snow you dont stop so good) and its over. but after 17 yrs, the factory airbags did thier trick and saved our lives. thank you toyota for all the great times

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  Great Little Car - 2007 Toyota Yaris
  By rlmusic - December 10 - 5:40 am

  I bought my Yaris as a commuter and I am so glad I did. I have a little lead foot and get between 32 and 34 MPG in the city. Its fun to drive and easy to manuver in traffic. I drive it everywhere instead of driving my other two vehicles. Best car purchase Ive made.

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  used RAV4 after 6 years - 2001 Toyota RAV4
  By Bikerrandy - December 9 - 10:30 pm

  We bought our RAV4 used after a lease turnin @ 36K miles. Weve put 46K on it so far. At first we drove it 100+ mi. a day commuting. Now were both retired and it gets a lot less use, but it is 1 of the best cars we have ever owned in so many ways. On the road we get 30-31 mpg on reg. Ive towed 1,500#s of stuff from norCal to Canada effortlessly. Ive heard lately some owners have had auto. tranny disasters. We have seen nothing of that so far. I wonder if its how others use their RAV4. We dont do much stop & go. Finally had to replace the front brake pads at 73.6K mi. Ive owned Toyotas both new & used since `75 and have never regretted it. We hope to keep this car forever

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  great van with bad tyres - 2005 Toyota Sienna
  By ek - December 9 - 12:16 pm

  Rear mirror covering lots of front windshild for 6 lf. tall guy.Run flat tire went bad after 20000km no help from Toyota or Tyre comp. Really, really annoyed me - cost $400.00/tyre (thank you very much). Back up sensor - great cruse control sensor -fantastic

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  162,000 and loving it!!! - 2008 Toyota Prius
  By Laura - December 9 - 11:21 am

  I love this car! It is the most reliable and inexpensive car Ive owned. I plan on keeping this car for many more years. I love when I have to park it because its small enough to fit in those tight spots. The backup camera is a plus and its pretty good in the snow as long as you have good tires. I know eventually Ill have to replace the battery but I intend to keep it since the body of the car is in such great shape. I would highly recommend owning a Prius.

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  Prius Review - 2005 Toyota Prius
  By Sara - December 9 - 11:13 am

  This car is easy and fun to drive. It has great pickup - as good as my previous 4 cylinder 21 mpg car used to get. It is quiet and roomy. I still cant believe that so much is fit into such a compact package! Its fun having people stop me and ask me about the car since people are fascinated by how quiet it is. That really captures peoples attention. Stated gas mileage is exaggerated compared to real life. In high traffic areas when you have to stop and go a lot, you will not get good city mileage - hwy will be better. I get 42 city, 48 hwy.

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  soooo satisfied - 2002 Toyota Camry Solara
  By sooo satisfied - December 9 - 10:00 am

  After driving a 1998 BMW Z3, the Solara is a breath of fresh air. The Z3 was fun to drive, extremely dificult to live with, especially as my only source of transport. I love the Solara and have no regrets about trading in the Z3. The first thing I noticed about the Solara was that the steering is a little soft, but aside from that Im sooo satisfied

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  Tocoma Double-Cab for the road!! - 2002 Toyota Tacoma
  By Ryan23 - December 9 - 10:00 am

  The Toyota Tacoma is a very fun truck to drive smooth and powerfull. It handels in the snow and off road like a champ. I love my Toacoma

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  Its not a "minivan", its a SIENNA - 2007 Toyota Sienna
  By Keith - December 9 - 8:13 am

  Just bought my wife her first brand new car, or, I mean "minivan". Drove the 2007 Honda Odyssey EXL-RES and the 2007 Mercury Monterrey. Both are nice vehicles, but neither can match the quality, power, and refinement of the Toyota. The Toyota interior quality is unmatched by the competitors. Remember, its not a minivan!