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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  Good car but needs more power - 2000 Toyota RAV4
  By Lioness - October 6 - 2:00 am

  This car is alot of fun to drive. I like the fact that it is still small enough to be like a car yet higher up so that I can see more around me.

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  A small car that fits me. - 2003 Toyota Matrix
  By Blackcloud_92592 - October 6 - 2:00 am

  Being 6’4” tall, my first requirement for any car is whether I fit or not. It is a pleasure not having to recline the front seat so my head doesn’t scrape against the roof. Even with the seat upright I have at least 2” of headroom above me. I find the engine has plenty of get up and go. Sure I (and probably everyone else) would want to have the higher horsepower engine but it just didn’t fit in the budget. I did opt for the wheel and stereo upgrade and haven’t regretted it. I love the way the car looks, feels and drives. I hate white cars so I got the dark blue.

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  Great for my needs - 2003 Toyota Matrix
  By Michael Miller - October 6 - 2:00 am

  The Matrix, for me, is a wonderful replacement for a 2002 Corolla I had. Long story short, I disliked the Corolla but found the Matrix had a lot of features I always wanted. Gas mileage is decent, only trade-off from the Corolla. With the Matrix I can lie down in the back--great camping car. My bike fits, too. Those complaining about the lack of power, etc., may have expectations too high for a 4 cylinder-- buy a six or eight and pay the difference in gas costs. The four cylinder, which maneuvers just fine at 70-75 mph, is ideal for the many different types of driving I do.

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  Ho Hum for a Camry - 1998 Toyota Camry
  By Car Mom - October 6 - 2:00 am

  This car has been a let down. The Camry,s before and after seem better. The brakes are peculiar and feel almost unreliable, the interior is downright unattractive and very prone to dirt, there is tremendous roll in the turns, the air and heat almost stop working unless the car is moving. Not up to Camry standards

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  RAV4 Not Perfect But Still Great Vehicle - 2003 Toyota RAV4
  By RGLII - October 6 - 2:00 am

  Well after 4 months of ownership the honeymoon is over but still satisfied. Have made three trips into dealership to repair rattle/squeak in dash. Turns out the noice was from plastic cover on windshield wiper motor. Thought I could share and save frustrations for others. Overlooking the fixed rattles, I am still happy with my purchase. Comfy, quiet and plenty of pep for commuting to work every day. Did great in last 7 inch snowfall and I dont even have 4wd.

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  Great for our needs for under $24,000 - 2002 Toyota Highlander
  By Joe M - October 6 - 2:00 am

  We needed more room for yearly trips to Florida. We knew we had to look into an SUV for more room. The compact SUVs were cheap, but just too small. The midsize SUVs were out of our price range, until we found the Highlander. After driving it we knew it was the vehicle for us. We purchased a base model 4 cyl with a few minor upgrades. Let me tell you, this is great vehicle. It has everything you need. The 4 cly 2 WD FWD is great on snow covered roads and the engine has plenty of power for normal driving with the benefit of 22- 27 mpg. If you dont go off road and your looking for a vehicle for more room and a low price this one cant be beat.

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  Not that Camry any more - 2002 Toyota Camry
  By Morn - October 6 - 2:00 am

  I have a 2002 Camry LE, 4 cyl, bought May 2002. After several months driving, I have to say that this car, although still called the same name, does not deserve the same good words people used to have. The acceloration is always abrupt and make the ride very uncomfortable during stop-and-go driving. The transmission was truely retarded, does not know when to shift and what gear it should select under different road conditions. Also the squeaking sound from the brakes always drove me crazy. My next car is not going to a Camry for sure.

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  First minivan, some likes and dislikes - 2009 Toyota Sienna
  By Patrick - October 5 - 11:36 pm

  First time minivan owner. I am very pleased with how the vehicle drives. It really feels like you are driving a car. The acceleration is acceptable, and feels sure taking corners. The amenities in the limited are substantial. The sound quality of the bluetooth technology is good. The nav system is not as intuitive as you would like, but I can live with that. The sound system is strong. The back up camera gives you a little more confidence when backing up. My two biggest complaints are the gas mileage (getting about 15 mpg which has some city, but mostly highway miles), and the side doors not stopping when something is in the way.

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  Best Buy - 2006 Toyota Avalon
  By Steve Kelley - October 5 - 11:30 pm

  I started my search for a new vehicle by looking at the Infiniti M35. I test drove that car along with the Audi A6, the Acura RL and TL and even a couple of Cadillacs and they were all very nice cars. But the Avalon was not even on my radar screen until I parked next to one at church one day. After looking it up on the internet, I found out the reason it wasnt included in my searches was that it didnt cost enough! After driving it and seeing how much more room it had than any of the others I had looked at I bought it immediately and have been tremendously happy with it and the $10,000 I saved ever since.

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  First Toyota, Great Car - 2006 Toyota RAV4
  By fairway2 - October 5 - 12:46 pm

  We couldnt be more satisfied. After 3500 miles and three months of mixed suburban driving The RAV4 has exceeded our expectations. After a lifetime of 4 cylinder autos the V6 is awsome. And it is rated by the Feds as a "green" car, too. Mileage has averaged 25 mpg.