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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  Love my Prius - 2005 Toyota Prius
  By Stacey - November 15 - 5:30 am

  I absolutely love my Prius. I love saving money on gas and I love the lower emissions. It is comfortable to drive and has great pickup.

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  Love my truck! - 2008 Toyota Tundra
  By Kim - November 15 - 2:56 am

  We lovingly refer to my truck as "Big Blue". I am a 51" tall woman and have looked for this truck for YEARS. I needed something with a very high tow rating for my horses, that would still accommodate my 3 kids, and not feel like I drove a tank every day. The Tundra does all that in style. No one can believe how sexy this truck is, it is unique and turns heads everywhere I go. It is easy to drive and gets good gas mileage. It does have a blind spot if you are short and have to sit close like me, and the radio had to be replaced right off the bat, but the service has been excellent and it purrs every time I turn the key.

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  Fantastic Car for what it is. - 2006 Toyota Prius
  By sshuit - November 14 - 9:40 pm

  This is a great car if you buy it with the expectation that it is a fuel sipping multi-purpose vehicle. The problems with it that I have encountered are mostly minor. The seats are not very comfortable. 45-50 MPG is about the real world mileage you can expect. Performance is surprising but unspirited. (I am a former 3-series BMW driver.) It is the perfect commuter car and has plenty of room for 4. The high tech features are awesome. Bluetooth, touchscreen controls, stereo with 6 disc MP3 player.

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  Actually a 4-door HATCHBACK-Canada - 2005 Toyota Echo
  By Lori - November 14 - 5:50 pm

  Ive never loved my car before this--I always bought for practicality and was very happy with the much-recommended, long-lived Tercels since 1984. The ECHO HATCHBACK is cute, fun, different, economical, and comfortable. Maybe not so different anymore--theyre popping up everywhere! I get 46MPG (the larger Canadian gallons)in real life driving, which has only a few 5 minute stretches of 80km/h (50mph)--no real highway driving. Toyota makes terrific, reliable cars, and now they have a CUTE one too!

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  Nice and good car - 2010 Toyota Venza
  By speedmonster - November 14 - 4:36 pm

  Compare this car and my old Honda CR-V, it is huge different you can see, sense, feel. Etc. In the crv, the noise from road is disturb no matter you were talking with other passenger, on the phone or listen to the music. In venza, it is so comfort and quite. Just own this car for 2 days, maybe still in honey-moon, will posted more once noticed problem been discovered after while. Up to now, it is great.

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  Yaris a sporty, fun car - 2007 Toyota Yaris
  By James - November 14 - 9:30 am

  While the size and design were hurdles in choosing it, the Yaris has proved me wrong. Quick, capable, and incredibly fuel efficient, the car has won me over. Even my tall (68") friend was able to fit comfortably in the front seat on a long drive. The back seat is roomier than one might expect, and there are plenty of compartments to hold things. Definitely a good car to consider, if you dont carry a lot of people/goods on a general basis. Excellent commuter car.

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  Very Nice truck - 2006 Toyota Tacoma
  By ToyTaco23 - November 14 - 7:06 am

  I have just bought my vehicle, so I do not have too much to base my decision on, but so far so great! I love the looks mostly of the vehicle, but the feel and drive of the truck is like no other. Handles extremely well, has a smooth almost car like ride, but still lets you know you are driving a TRUCK. Cant wait to try the 4x4 out.

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  Top of the Line - 2005 Toyota Tundra
  By Glenn - November 13 - 8:06 pm

  Other than the length of time it took to get the truck delivered, I love everything about the buying, driving, and the response I get from others. If you plan on buying a truck and keeping it until the wheels fall off, buy a toyota and you will have a great truck 200,000+ miles later. This will be my 3rd toyota and put over 200,000 miles on each one. When I sold them I got more than the best NADA value for them. Chevy, Ford, Dodge, none of them can win an arguement about dependablity compared to a Toyota. By the way I have never seen the wheels fall off a Toyota.

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  Fanastic - 2015 Toyota Camry
  By jeff nicosia - November 13 - 7:38 pm

  Great car just looking for a new one

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  This car is awsome! - 2012 Toyota Yaris
  By lens27 - November 13 - 5:54 pm

  I have this car now for about a few weeks and love every ride out of it. Very impressed with its slick performance and styling. I did not expect much cargo space for its segment, but can easily fit my weekly grocery and then some. Lots of leg room and convenient interior design. Reduced my stops at the gas station. It could use a center storage and an arm rest.