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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  Hate my car!! - 2009 Toyota Camry
  By jennifer_zuri - November 16 - 6:19 am

  I wanted a Camry for such a long time. I traded my 2003 Chevy Tracker with 140k miles for this piece of junk Camry. I had the car for 5k miles and it already needed new brakes. The take off is terrible, the RPMs go very high on take off, it smells like it is burning and the interior is very poor. My air circulator turns off all the time letting the outside air in and the ride is really rough. The clearance is terrible and now @ 40k miles the dealer tells me that I have to get a fuel injector cleaner on 3 of the injectors (at 150 a pop), a power steering flush and again new brakes! WOW, what a deal!!

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  Couldnt be happier - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By Paul - November 16 - 1:10 am

  I chose the SE because I wanted something with great handling, yet soft enough and quiet ride. And I chose the V6 because of the 268 hp, a 6.0 seconds 0-60 time and a 14.5 seconds 1/4 mile. Great performance. And it comes with the 6-speed automatic. Under normal driving, the RPMs never go over 2500, and at 60 MPH the engine is relaxing at 1800 RPMs. This car is fast! Ive already smoked my buddys Altima SE-R, and and a new Acura TL. And some people are saying that there are rattles and squeaks in the dashboard, well my car doesnt have any.

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  2004 Toyota Sienna XLE - 2004 Toyota Sienna
  By Robert - November 15 - 9:43 pm

  Only complaint now is the tire noise. Hated the Run Flats and replaced them at 19,000 which meant I had to buy a new wheel. Toyota refunded all my cost. Wish I could see better to back up, bought a $100 back up camera and fixed that prob. Middle row seats are heavy to remove and should fold flat into frame but are manageable as is. All in all I really like the car. The AWD is important to me as our driveway is steep and snow makes it hard to navigate. Passengers have told me middle row seats are uncomfortable with lump in low back.

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  The "Toy" in TOYOTA - 2006 Toyota Prius
  By Harry R - November 15 - 9:30 pm

  It is fun to drive with many new toys.

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  Big car, little storage. - 2017 Toyota Highlander
  By KAREN SMITH - November 15 - 7:25 pm

  It has a comfortable, smooth ride. Features are easy to figure out. My 3 complaints: More storage inside the car including some small compartments as well as somewhere to hang a small trash bag. Also all levels should come with a better camera view when backing up ( a view including the sides as well as behind). The view looking out the windows, with this body design, is poor.Lastly it would be nice if the passenger front seat would adjust for height. If your tall your can lower the drivers seat and its great but if your a passenger in the front you will be hitting your head. Over all nice vehicle.

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  Just a great value vehicle - 2003 Toyota Matrix
  By bzzd - November 15 - 12:33 pm

  We bought our 2003 Matrix used in 2005. It had just over 20K km on the clock. It now has 260K. It has really been trouble free motoring - replaced 2 wheel bearings otherwise only routine maintenance. It has maintained a very adequate fuel economy. We love this vehicle so much that we are buying a 2013 model with as close as possible the features of our present one. Everything still works fine.

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  Great Truck - 2005 Toyota Tacoma
  By P McCrea - November 15 - 7:53 am

  If you are looking into trucks and dont want to spend 35k, then this is it. The Quad Cab has more room than my 4 dr sedan did. The gas mileage is great for a truck. 17-19mi per. There is not a smarter designed truck out there. Toyota really knew what they were doing on this one.

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  My supercharged truck - 1998 Toyota T100
  By Masloff - November 15 - 4:10 am

  The driving on this vehicle is awesome. Quiet, comfortable, reliable, rides like a car.

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  Low MPG For New Hybrid - 2009 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
  By joe - November 15 - 2:16 am

  I purchased a 2009 highlander Ltd Hybrid with the expectation that I would experience MPG at or above the sticker stated 27 city and 25 highway. It seems that there is a problem with the electric motors or the computer which controls the timing of the electric and gas motor operation. Toyota specifications indicate that the three electric motors come on line in higher torque needs such as when starting from a light or going up grades to minimize the use of the gas engine. This car does not do that. The gas engine is forced to run in almost all situations because only the front electric motors operate. The car acts like a standard gas vehicle instead of a hybrid.

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  Simple Elegance - 1997 Toyota Camry
  By Mike Pratt - November 15 - 12:00 am

  We inherited this car from my great aunt a few months ago. It only have 62K miles and hardly driven. After some new tires and brake pads it was fit for a king. Its a CE addiction so it has no bells and whistles. Not even cruise control, but it works great four new and young drivers alike. I love the car for its easy to drive, handles like a dream, and is quieter then my van. - It may be a CE and my mothers car, but as a new driver I find this the perfect vehicle to start out in for its all I need - and I find it to be simplistic elegance.