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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  Soar with a Solara convertible - 2006 Toyota Camry Solara
  By jaz - June 6 - 8:00 pm

  Toyota creates fun and class all in one vehicle. Strangers at the mall, gas station, and stop light still admire and ask questions about my blue with cream colored top and interior vehicle. My cousin from Houston visited, drove my car, and went home to buy her own blue w/black and grey Solara. Exceptional quality, design - no road noise!, and great gas mileage combine to make going to work fun! I love my Toyota!

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  Midwest to Calif & Back - 2005 Toyota Prius
  By Ala - June 6 - 6:46 pm

  Passing was good in the flat lands. Average speed 65-75 Mph. Gas milwage avg 41-49 mpg. Crossing the Rockies and certain areas in Utah with 6% grades could only get 52 mph and the engine was really screaming. I was real concerned about getting over the top of the hill. Next time Ill take the southern route to Calif. Interior needs something better then cloth, it got spotted up when I opened the door during a mild rain storm. Ext surface seems to scratch easily. Careful with the high pressure hose in the car wash. Dont get too close to the paint surface and dont use the soap brush. Get bird poop off of the car right away. Other then the above Im happy and would buy another one.

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  Love my spyder - 2005 Toyota MR2 Spyder
  By ilse72 - June 6 - 10:33 am

  This is a fun, sporty little car with lots of energy and easy maneuverability. It has proven to be extremely reliable and, best of all, it is easy on gas.

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  Great Car - 2003 Toyota Camry
  By lennylg - June 6 - 10:18 am

  I had a 2003 Camry that my mother bought brand new. Im upset, I totalled the car on ice. It had 95,000 miles on it. I got it with 30,000 miles on it. I never fixed a thing. I so hoped to take it to 200,000 miles.

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  Prius: Engineering at its finest. - 2005 Toyota Prius
  By Boyd - June 6 - 4:53 am

  You have heard of the Shinkensen....the Bullet train? Well the same minds, somewhat further advanced from that technology, have produced a vehicle of exquisite refinement. Other cars I now own are the Volvo 850, Infiniti 35FX, and Porsch Boxster. All fine vehicles, but this one excels from the point of near-perfection and driving pleasure. I Would have bought it if it only got 20 mph after my test drive; but at 47mpg... hot damn! Negative is the rear bumpers which are scratchable in parking dings. Overall, a perfect 9.5 from me.

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  Good car from Toyota - 2004 Toyota Matrix
  By turkf26 - June 6 - 1:03 am

  All in all the Toyota matrix is a great car to drive. Couple things I dislike is the lack of power in the XR and base models. Also it seems that everything inside the car squeaks or rattles when you drive. Other than that, it’s a great car made by another great company.

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  New Toy on Road - 2005 Toyota Tacoma
  By Jans Toy - June 5 - 10:46 pm

  A woman whos never owned a truck before had little to compare her new toy with. Though she drove in many trucks and really disliked them. Most of them felt like a truck. Bouncy and uncomfortable. But the new 2005 Toyota Tacoma comfort is more like riding in a car. Could be because of the new suspension this year. The 4 wheel drive is automatic and that is a plus for us women. Had a guy from work check it out and he is impressed with the horsepower and the V6 4.0L engine. So this truck is a plus for men too. Cant wait until the engine is broke in to go playing. Check it out!!!

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  Part of the solution - 2006 Toyota Prius
  By Pip - June 5 - 10:16 pm

  Coolest car on the road! I got the white with tan leather, package #8. Traded my Lexus LS 430 for it and have no regrets, only praise and Ill be dumping 2 and a half tons less CO2 per year.

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  My second AVALON - 2003 Toyota Avalon
  By c6owner - June 5 - 7:46 pm

  This is my second Avalon. The only thing that stopped my first was Pontiac at midships. I had 165,000 miles with nothing going wrong. I didnt even need brakes until 130,000 miles. I bought the second and am having the same luck. It is more powerfull but has 28 MPG average Vs 30 on the 1996 version. Passengers still comment on interior room and comfort after now 60,000 miles. I drive for work, and go through a lot of cars. These two have outperfomed and have been more reliable than anything else I have had. If I can stay out of the way of other cars, this one will probably go to 300K miles.

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  2006 Toyota Tacoma TRD Sport Manual trans 4X4 - 2006 Toyota Tacoma
  By tomtabil - June 5 - 2:09 pm

  Nice truck, it has a lot of power, leveled, cold air kit, Flow master, goes like a rocket, third gear is the happy spot, youre in a truck that is a ball to drive. Hard to drive with maturity, just begs to light up Nissan, F150s and the ilk. Had to figure out how to grease the grease fittings on the u joints, okay other than you have to pull a little heat shield to get to one on the front propeller shaft (aka front drive line). Be gentle on the clutch, get on it and get off it, they made two clutches, , the L UK on mine was replaced on warranty at 30000 miles. So much power I think it just is too much for the clutch. The 06 used premium, I think it helps.