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:

• 

  Disappointed in mileage - 2008 Toyota Corolla
  By gary whalen - October 28 - 3:10 am

  Very reliable & dependable car, but we are disappointed in the gas milage, only 32 mpg for local driving and 35 mpg on open road. Was rated near 40 mpg on open road.

• 

  Awesome SUV! - 2005 Toyota Sequoia
  By Susanne - October 28 - 1:16 am

  Sporty and large yet doesnt look like a soccer mom car. Smooth ride and very reliable.

• 

  V6 Sport Owner in LA - 2006 Toyota Camry Solara
  By V6 Spt. in LA - October 28 - 12:20 am

  Excellent acceleration off the line... Sequential transmission is extremely responsive. This car is very similar to its cousin (IS 300) by Lexus.

• 

  Best pickup Ive ever owned. - 2007 Toyota Tundra
  By mufasa26 - October 27 - 3:16 pm

  I absolutely love this pickup. I had just purchased an 07 chevrolet silverado about 4 months ago, just got this, and am now wondering why I ever bought the Chevy. It has much better acceleration, more stylish, more towing, more payload, and overall better build quality also. I never much cared for the Tundras til this year, when they gave it a face lift. Its now bigger and beefier than ever. Im a big guy, 64" 265 lbs, and I fit in it a whole lot better than I did the Chevy. It has a lot more interior space, and I love the floor shifter.

• 

  My 2000 Corolla still kicking butt at 151,000 miles - 2000 Toyota Corolla
  By travis30 - October 27 - 3:47 am

  I just bought this car recently from a Ford dealership of all places(haha!) for 4,300 and although that price may be high, I didnt leave the lot with the car until I comfortable that it was in great running condition. And it was, and still is. Stupid check engine light was on when I bought it, but ignored it. Had autozone check it,P0171 bank 1 fuel mixture too lean(rough idle is all I noticed). So I bought 2 new bosch o2 sensors(pre and post catalytic), a bosch fuel pump, 2 rear Monroe econo matic quik struts, new bosch spark plugs, stp air filter, oil change(bosch oil filter), didnt need anyone of these parts but I got them anyways. Runs perfect, not a single problem. MY FAVORITE CAR.

• 

  So far so good! - 2006 Toyota Highlander
  By heidigreenlaw - October 27 - 3:00 am

  Ive had this vehicle for one month - so far so good. This is my first Toyota.

• 

  Camry? Wow! - 2009 Toyota Camry
  By Realistic1 - October 26 - 9:33 pm

  SE has a great ride, awesome suspension, not as soft as the other trims, but much more fun and definitrly worth it. Good looks and lots of compliments, but that aside, this is a solid car. You can feel the quality everywhere. Plenty of room, power and extras. This is the type of car that you can be impressed with from reading about it, but driving one will sell you on it.

• 

  It is a great reliable car - 2000 Toyota Corolla
  By karina rutova - October 26 - 8:50 pm

  I had it for six years and had only one problem with it. One of the the automatic window stopped working, but repair was unexpensive. The car in general is very reliable. While having it, I didnt care too much about gas prices going up because it is an economy car. I recommend this car.

• 

  Avalon Limited... almost a perfect car - 2008 Toyota Avalon
  By jordanfl - October 26 - 8:20 pm

  I have owned this car for three weeks now, and I have to say it is the finest automobile I have ever owned. My last car was a 2002 BMW 530i with sport package. Other than handling, the Avalon Limited beats the beemer in every category. Those 268 HP really get you moving when you need them...in a car that oozes luxury. The premium JBL sound system is also super. I like it a lot.

• 

  Loved it at the dealership - 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser
  By Robert88 - October 26 - 7:10 pm

  Ive always wanted an off-roader. One of my buddies has a Jeep Wrangler, and I always loved riding with him off road, and decided I wanted to get one of my own. So, following the Toyota hype, I went with the FJ, and regret it completely. Its gotten 3 check engine lights, transmission replaced, front suspension makes weird noises and the dealership said its normal. The plastic scratches if you look at it. The off road performance is nothing exciting, really embarrassing having to be pulled out by my buddy with him laughing at me.