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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  I was very surprised!! - 2010 Toyota Corolla
  By dvd0060 - October 19 - 2:40 pm

  the car arrive with a rear broken strut mount.After a little Drama in the beginning the car has been perfect! The engine is quite peppy and I average about 32 city/hwy. On my first drive home from the dealer I average 43.2 mpg on the highway. Once youre used to the electric steering its not a problem. I found the car to handle nicely(I enjoy the light feeling). I still zip on and on the highways and it never feels unstable.handling is quick and very accurate. The base 1.8 with auto has plenty of get up and go. Youd be surprised! No issues passing, the auto trans is smooth and responsive.Everybody stop trying to turn a corolla into a civic or mazda3. Ive had both. Love my Corolla!

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  4 wheel drive.....not! - 2010 Toyota RAV4
  By arantslimj12 - October 19 - 9:20 am

  We bought the 2010 Rav4 base model 4 cylinder because we owned a 2003 4runner and wanted better gas milage. the Rav4 boasted 21 to 27 miles per gallon. Yeah right! More like 21 all the time! Also the "4 wheel drive" isnt really 4 wheel drive. It is only active until you reach 25 mile per hour! Then its just a two wheel drive. And did i mention the suspension? It was sooooo stiff you get beat up in the drivers set day in and day out. Over all i was very disappointed and paid wayyyy too much for this thing! it just felt so cheap! Well we traded it in this week for a 2009 Subaru Forester!

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  The Yaris is Great!!! - 2007 Toyota Yaris
  By Nicole - October 19 - 2:46 am

  I love my Yaris. I cant believe how much power this car has. It immediately gets up when I drive on the freeway and is truly amazing. This little vehicle has so much power!! It does have a little noise when I drive it, but that is one of the things I love about it. I feel like I am in a race. I nicknamed my Yaris, I call it a "Bullet" because it gets up and shoots out of nowhere. I am glad I purchased it before more people catch on how great this car really is.

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  best car i have ever owned - 2002 Toyota MR2 Spyder
  By Mx2.cky - October 19 - 2:00 am

  best drive compared to any car. goes where you tell it. love it!

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  Greatest little car ever! - 2002 Toyota MR2 Spyder
  By Vicki Plummer - October 19 - 2:00 am

  I enjoyed my little Spyder for only 18 months. Unfortunately, I was in a 5 car collision, with my little car being the first one hit, by a big landscape truck with a bucket. I walked away from that accident with a couple of scrapes! I am SOO impressed with how well that car handled an accident of that magnitude and protected me as well. I miss my little car!

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  1997 Corolla - Great Car! - 1997 Toyota Corolla
  By ShariB - October 19 - 2:00 am

  Easy to drive, powerful little car that still gets 33-35 mpg. After 122,000 miles, not a single mechanical problem. Ill be drivind this car for a few more years.

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  MY 2003 Toyota Matrix XR is AWESOME ! - 2004 Toyota Matrix
  By James C. Byrd - October 19 - 2:00 am

  In the summer of 2003, just after purchasing this car, i made a trip to California from my home in central Florida. The route taken was north I-95 to West I-10 to California. We traveled up the coast to San Francisco and then journied back through the high country of Nevada, Utah, Wyoming, Colorado, Kansas, and on east to I-75 south, takin us back home to central Florida. The fuel mileage on the trip reached 28 city and 36 highway with less in the high mountain zones out west and in Tennissee, which was to be expected.

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  The Best Car I Ever Owned - 2004 Toyota Prius
  By JerryW - October 19 - 2:00 am

  I never bothered to fill out one of these reviews before. This time I have to, because the Toyota Prius deserves it. Good points: truly superb engineering; great driving experience; practical, quiet, comfortable, spacious, peppy, and of course economical. My lifetime average: 49,8mpg. Bad points: limited choice of colours; dealership experience can be poor. Delivery times can be long. Recommendation: drive one today; order one tomorrow; phone around lots to get good deals. Try smaller dealers not v. big ones. If only Toyotas marketing and servicing were up to the same high standard as their engineering!

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  2004 Prius after 2000 miles - 2004 Toyota Prius
  By MFritz2004 - October 19 - 2:00 am

  Well built, solid feel, quiet ride. Surprisingly peppy off the line acceleration. Fuel milage 20 percent poorer than advertized. Gas engine noisy under hard acceleration. Interior a bit too sterile looking, could use leather option. Needs better looking 16 inch wheels (as in Europe) In all a satisfing driving experience, but definately not as satisfing to drive as VW, Audi.

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  Prius 2G Hybrid - 2004 Toyota Prius
  By Steve Tenbrink - October 19 - 2:00 am

  This is a really nice car. High quality design and new technology that I believe will be in most new cars in 10 years or so. Hybrid automobiles use less gas and have nearly zero emissions. Its the ideal car for metropolitan area and will help the US conserve gas and lower smog levels. Plus its a great car! Fun to drive and lots of new gadgets.