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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  Best SUV out there - 2001 Toyota Highlander
  By Cuzman - October 24 - 10:00 am

  Have the V6 4WD. An amazing machine!! Plenty of room for my 6 5" frame. The ride is so smooth, if you were blind- folded youd think you were in a luxury car. And, the safety is the best around (unless you have $50,000-$80,000 for the BMW X5). The gas mileage comes in just under my V6 Accord. Safety, great fuel economy, lots of space, great visibility all around. What more could you ask for? (And, a good price if you do your reseach and shop around a bit!!!!)

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  My Camry - 2000 Toyota Camry
  By Stephanie Benavidez - October 24 - 10:00 am

  I leased my 2000 with the full intention of keeping it for only the duration of the lease. Ill be keeping it at the end of my lease in October. I love the car.

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  2011 FWD V6 Venza - 2011 Toyota Venza
  By missris - October 24 - 3:17 am

  I do work for a Toyota dealer and have access to all the cars. I had my Camry for 9 years and the Venza was a perfect next step. Before I bought the Venza I test drove the Ford Edge and Chevy Terrain. I also tried several new sedans to make sure I wasnt missing anything. After driving the Venza I dont think I could ever go back to a sedan.

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  Not what it used to be - 2008 Toyota Highlander
  By aman12 - October 24 - 2:55 am

  You may have heard of Toyotas incredible longevity and build quality. True with the 1997 Camry. Not so for this car. Build quality is horrendous. I have to take constant trips to the dealership to get rattles fixed all over the car. The armrests on the doors kept constantly braking until I finally had them replaced with plyglass (payed for by Toyota). 80k miles- a loud whine developed in reverse. Had to get the transmission replaced. Latest problem? The trunk doesnt go up all the way. Back to Toyota to get the Hydraulic mechanism replaced. Should have payed 20k not 40

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  Glad we waited for 2007 - 2007 Toyota Tundra
  By Flashy - October 23 - 11:56 pm

  Our original plan was to get the 2006 because we liked the body size of that Tundra. The reason we decided on the 2007 was the 5.7L engine. We have a 20 foot cabin cruiser and liked the towing capacity of the bigger engine and the fuel economy over the 4.7L. Now that we have had the truck a little while we are getting used to how really big it is! Our dog, who doesnt like traveling at all likes the floor of the back seat with the seats up. We just got a tri-fold bed cover so storing our luggage there will be great. We love the navigation and back-up camera and ability to have bluetooth and MP2 plug. Overall, we love it. Great power and smooth transmission and drives like a car.

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  Love Venza, but not gas mileage - 2011 Toyota Venza
  By vicki7 - October 23 - 5:45 am

  After much searching we loved the Venza for comfort and roominess. With back and hip problems its easy to get in and out of. The only design I would change is to bring the windows down another 2 inches. From inside going to drive-up windows, you have to raise your arm somewhat high and try to reach over and down to grab items. Also, the armrest could be a couple inches higher. Very disappointed in the gas mileage! Have had it a month and get just 16 MPG around town! I was use to a V6 Buick. FWD, that got 26 MPG, so this is a big disappointment. It doesnt even reach the gas rating suggested on its sticker. We dont drive lead foot either.

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  Great Truck - 2006 Toyota Tundra
  By Phillip Bardin - October 23 - 4:30 am

  I love this truck. Very comfortable to drive. Stable in curves if not pushed real hard (not a sports car). Decent gas mileage I get 18 all around and 20+ on trips. Ride height gives great vision of road. I bought the 2006 because I liked the smaller truck better than the larger 2008.

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  Great Truck - 2000 Toyota Tacoma
  By JG1968 - October 23 - 2:56 am

  Extremely reliable truck. Also, the truck is the most sure footed vehicle I have ever driven in the snow. The looks of the truck from the outside are classy and from the inside simple and straight forward. The stock seats are torture devices. Also, the cup holders are poor.

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  Second Sienna, but not the best.. - 2012 Toyota Sienna
  By carsanddrivers - October 22 - 5:23 pm

  Its a Toyota.. So it will likely live as long as my 01 which I traded in at 395K miles. Although, the interior quality isnt quite as nice as the 01, and the run flat tires are terrible. But it is HUGE in comparison, and I average about 24mpg with my new non run flat tires, in a 30%city 70% highway driving situation.

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  WOWZER!! - 2005 Toyota Prius
  By Juli - October 22 - 4:13 pm

  Going from my husbands F150 to this car, the difference in mileage is amazing. Even going against my car, a Grand Prix that get 26 miles to the gallon, the Prius gets twice as much. I am trading in my car at the end of this year and we are going to be Prius owners all the way... it gives you much better gas mileage and really doesnt sacrifice power!!