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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  This little car is a beast - 2000 Toyota RAV4
  By yotajeepguy33 - October 5 - 11:26 am

  This car has been my everything from hauling hockey gear back and fourth to being a teenagers rally car, to hauling a 2500 pound trailer full of furniture when i moved it pulled it over mountain passes and through cities and on the interstate and never even put up a fit. my parents bought it with 60,000 miles and now it has over 231,000 and 100,000 put on by a teenage male with a very heavy foot. I have done things with this car that would make normal people cringe. and it still starts first time every time. you think that after so many hard miles the little car would be putting up a fight, No Sir it like thank you may I have another she still ticking away.

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  05 Tacoma - 2005 Toyota Tacoma
  By Buffalonickel - October 5 - 6:53 am

  We have hauled 4 adults @ a time, pulled a trailer hauling a Harley all over the country, filled the bed with rocks, logs, mulch, topsoil, and I drive to work each day. We live in the Ozarks, so none of our roads are straight, flat, or smooth. The local mileage is 18 mpg and on a flat Highway 55/39 in Illinois or 70 through Kansas mileage climbed to 24 mpg running at 75 with the AC cooling me to a chill in 90 degree heat. The only complaint I have is the alarm system was futzed up and we had to install an aftermarket system. And that bed is made out of plastic. I want a steel bed with solid anchors like my old Hilux. So all-in-all this truck has been very easy to own. 60,000 miles!

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  Very happy with this car - no regrets - 2009 Toyota Corolla
  By kjmurphy - October 5 - 4:03 am

  We bought this car after the engine went on our 2002 Nissan Altima. Very happy with the styling, handling, etc. with the Corolla. Nice head room for my boyfriend as he is 62" vs. the Civic. Negotiated a great deal and even had the dealer put in leather seats and front seat heaters.

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  Great all around truck - 2004 Toyota Tacoma
  By Bill Nelson - October 4 - 3:13 pm

  I bought this Tacoma 4wd, v6, 5spd, TRD pkg. The Taco is fun to drive, looks great, handles snow like its dry pavement, and seems as if built to last a lifetime. Ive had only a slight squeak in the dash on the pass. side. Ive put on over 14000 miles in 9 months driving to the mountains of NH, and this past week have tackled a 3 foot blizzard in boston with no problems. Great for a single guy/couple with no kids. Back seat good only for storage or the dog, not much more. Good factory radio, cold a/c, and supportive seats make this my commuter truck/weekend-warrior mobile! You wont regret this one.

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  I heart my TCH even tho I didnt want to - 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By cocogirl - October 4 - 7:16 am

  I was determined to hate this car but felt its necessity. Ive debated hybrids 4 years but was disappointed in lack of creature comforts (sunroof) & styling. I thought I wanted another luxury car (I had a Infiniti G35) but live in Hawaii where gas got 2 be $5/g premium & I couldnt justify working to drive a symbol. The first day I hated it (it seemed like a mom car & I am so the opposite) & gas mileage was awful (<20 mpg). I cried & thought I made an expensive mistake. I gave it a week & actually fell hard for it. Its smooth, spacious, luxurious, zippy & a convo starter. I avg 37.2 - 99.9/tank (yup 99, downhill).

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  Fun little car - 2009 Toyota Yaris
  By harshad - October 4 - 6:13 am

  I traded my 2005 Rav4 (manual) because my arch was hurting after daily 60 mile commute. I opted for a automatic with fuel efficiency and still fits my bike. This one is perfect. I got 35 mpg on first 2 tanks. It drives smooth. Sitting position is excellent. Ingress and egress is better than my Acura. Lots of safety features and a good stereo. I saw a car like this hurling down autobahn at 110 miles an hour last week. My girls call it a little blue jelly bean and prefer to go in this car than our Acura TSX or Toyota Sienna. There is a lot of leg room in the back. Just a fun little car. Toyota should also offer the diesel with this one.

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  Smooth as silk - 2005 Toyota Sequoia
  By SK - October 4 - 1:33 am

  I own an 03 SR5 Rwd, and the 05 is my 2nd Sequoia for a reason. I love the quality of the vehicle. Its super safe (saved me OTHER drivers mistakes on a number of occasions), and is the surprisingly agile! The whole no chime for lights on issue is alleviated by the fact that: a. you can turn your lights off by pressing the lock button on the keyless keyfob twice (light had to have been on while driving; if you turn the lights on after the car is off, it will stay on), and b. the lights turn off automatically under the same circumstances if the truck is off and the door has been closed. I think the timer is at about 30 seconds.

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  The best car ever! - 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By DAPPER - October 3 - 10:36 pm

  I traded in a 1997 Ford Explorer- lovely gas mileage of 12 miles per gallon! Funny -- I drive 25 mi one way to work. Getting expensive to work these days. So,I went to test drive a camery xle when the hybrid (which I undersood wasnt even out yet) was on the lot. It is everything I wanted, gps, moonroof, heated seats and excellent gas mileage (rated at 40 / 38). The car was a delight to drive -- the price is about the same as a totally decked out xle. Except you have the tax incentive and the gas savings. The math and decision was easy. I absolutely love the car!! I average 38 miles per gallon. This includes mountain, air conditioning, freeway and city road driving.

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  It is a Corolla - 2009 Toyota Corolla
  By pacu44 - October 3 - 8:26 pm

  Reputation and peace of mind... Road trip day after purchase, good trip... Surprised at the good ride... Good highway driving... Smooth, predictable and great MPG... Needed to get used to brakes and steering... After the 400 mile trip, no problem... It is a Corolla, I read these reviews and see some expecting a mini Lexus... I am pleased so far... For the money, just dont breakdown and get good MPG and I will be satisfied...

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  I would never recommend Highlander to anyone - 2013 Toyota Highlander
  By Rajesh kuppili - October 3 - 7:27 pm

  Wind/outside Noise .. delicate ... simply, I hate this highlander