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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  LOVE This Car! - 2007 Toyota Camry Solara
  By ccald - October 3 - 1:03 pm

  I have owned my Toyota Solara SLE Convertible for just about three years now. I absolutely love it! I was so very sorry to hear of the models demise. I think Toyota made a mistake there. I wanted a 4 seater not a 2 seater convertible without being a huge car and there are not many of those made. The retractable hard roofs take up trunk space which I do not like. My car has really good trunk space. I have seen too many of the convertibles with very poor trunk space. I would have continued buying Toyotas convertibles if they had continued making the Solara. I live in the middle south and convertibles are definitely the way to go. Toyota: PLEASE BRING IT BACK!

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  Its Been Magnificient So Far! - 2005 Toyota Prius
  By drbb - October 3 - 12:03 pm

  Four months and no complaints. After 7000 miles and one service, runs like a dream. Only surpise so far is the salesman cautioned against trusting EPA mileage, say 45 MPG more realistic. But in mixedhighway/local driving, getting almost 50 (started lower but increased and leveling off). After driving a Sienna, braking takes getting used to, because Prius (it is smaller) brakes much more responsively. Only negatives so far: 1. Navigation system still drives us crazy, though. Too complicated--but I cant compare it to others on the market. 2. Bluetooth cell phone feature not compatible with all phones. This is a software problem being worked on by phone cos. and Toyota.

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  laugh if you want to . . . - 2002 Toyota Echo
  By jekyl - October 3 - 11:00 am

  I bought this car because I was looking for the cheapest new car available. I had owned an 81 Tercel and I loved it. I figured the Echo took up where the Tercel left off. I loved the Echo immediately. 40 mpg, no trouble, fast, lots of fun to drive. Have a hard time not speeding with the get up and go manual transmission. If I can manage to get 3 kids carseats into the back seat (which will be difficult, but possible) Ill never get rid of it. I might get laughed at because of the way the car looks, but I laugh every time I pass a gas station full of gas guzzling SUVs in the urban jungle. Its too bad theyre not making Echos anymore. Its a great little car.

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  Great Performance, Great Car! - 2010 Toyota RAV4
  By Snowy New Hampshire - October 3 - 10:16 am

  I bought my second Toyota Rav4 this fall to prepare for the New England winter! We just had a major snowstorm, and the Rav4 performed flawlessly. I felt perfectly safe at all times, and the Rav4 even navigated unplowed roads and driveways just like they were summer roads! I LOVE THIS CAR!

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  A legit "use me like a truck" Pickup Truck - 2016 Toyota Tacoma
  By Easyrider4_2000@yahoo.com - October 3 - 3:28 am

  The 2016 holds fast to the concept of a true pick up truck. You want to take your truck into the mountains? This is it. Do you want to drive up and down the city streets with air conditioned seats? Hard pass. This is an active persons truck! Its purpose built.... The purpose? Adventure. No its not the fastest, no its not the most powerful but dont be fooled, this truck can hold its own on road. Off road and youre in rare company with a Wrangler...

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  Just bought. - 2011 Toyota Corolla
  By tell302man1 - October 3 - 2:36 am

  If you look down this list you see my parents 2011 Corolla they bought new. They like it so much as do I. I just purchased my own 2011 Corolla with 20000 miles on it. A Corolla S 5 speed! They are the perfect little car! No complaints and they drive good! Dont believe the lies!

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  Love it! - 2005 Toyota Camry Solara
  By Vicky P - October 3 - 1:46 am

  Just as my 1986 Toyota Camry was great, this 2005 Solara is greater. This car has great styling, quality, dependability, and ease of driving. The SLE model is fabulous since it does everything for you. You dont have to think about doing anything like when to put on or off the headlights or adjust the temperature, just set it and forget it. Makes my life so much easier and pleasant. I love it!

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  Great Cute-Ute - 2004 Toyota RAV4
  By Allan - October 2 - 10:56 pm

  This is a great small ute veh. In general this veh is very fun to drive. Even more so in the winter snow. It has good ground clearance and has a smooth ride with smooth shifts. With the optional 6 airbags , ABS , Traction control , VSC and Side impact beams you feal very safe. It has a great turning radius and for a 4 cylinder has great pickup and go. In very low speeds (aprox 1 to 10 MPH) the transmition could be a little smoother (has trouble finding the gear you need) but once your acclerating normally your fine. In general this veh is built solid and if you treat it right by not beating on it, changing the oil and keeping up the maintaince it will last you well over 200k miles

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  New Purchase - 2009 Toyota Camry
  By Rob - October 2 - 9:10 pm

  This is an exceptional vehicle, and if you are looking for options on the LE, you get more standard with the XLE. I was impressed by the fact that for only about 1000 more, I got everything I wanted in the LE and much much more.

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  50 mpg - 2005 Toyota Prius
  By mike - October 2 - 8:40 pm

  Have 3000 miles my 2005. Pros: Build quality is excellent, gas milage great. The vehicle stability control works impressively -- should save many lives. Can exceed EPA city with the right driving style. The GPS is really nice, the seats comfortable and the car is quiet. Cons: High end stereo is not high end, ivory interior shows dirt quickly, stock tires are a little too thin, and car is sensitive to cross- winds and steering input. Toyota needs to put a little more road feedback into the steering system. The ratio is quick enough that small inputs change direction. This can be good when you want it to turn. I used to use tactile feedback to alert me of steering drift - no more.