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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  Camry convert - 2003 Toyota Highlander
  By BOZ - September 30 - 10:00 am

  Ive wanted a Highlander for two years and its beautiful in every way!!!

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  Best Compact Car of the Era - 2003 Toyota Corolla
  By Venkata - September 30 - 10:00 am

  Best Compact Car of the Era. Very simple and affordable

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  False Advertising - 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By JERRY ROSEN - September 30 - 8:46 am

  The sticker on the window advertized that the Hybrid would get 40 MPG city and 38 MPG highway. After checking many tankfuls of gas the best mileage I could get was between 22 and 24 MPG. This to me is totally unacceptable. I brought the car into 2 different dealers in North Miami and Hollywood for testing and they both told me there is nothing wrong with the car. Last week I drove to Gainesville where the car was purchased, to have them tell me the same thing. Nothing was accomplished except I put 660 miles on the car and I am still very FRUSTRATED. I didnt buy a hybrid to get 22 MPG. When I should be getting at least 40MPG promised by all the advertising and hype about hybrids.

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  Very Sporty :) - 2009 Toyota Venza
  By Mary J - September 30 - 5:00 am

  I went out that evening to go shopping and ended up at the dealership saw the Venza and was hooked!! I know its a sort of station wagon but it feels like a sports car :), very comfortable, fast and stylish. Coming from an SUV Im very satisfied with this purchase!!! If youre looking to downsize check this out! Very nice! :)

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  Great value & satisfaction - 2007 Toyota Avalon
  By Big Daddy Kenn - September 29 - 6:43 pm

  Im 6-2 290 with tall sons. Car fits us great. Great motor and acceleration. Averaging 23-24 daily and 29-30 highway and Im an aggressive driver. Its very comfortable. A quiet car. Driving-small turning circle. Good daily and highway car. Not as tight handler as BMW. Trunk has good storage room. Car has great fit and finish. Cabin well laid out. Nice sound system - could have more power though. No mechanical problems

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  The Best Vehicle Ive Ever Owned - 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser
  By FJ-Ollie - September 29 - 6:40 pm

  The FJ Cruiser is the best built and most reliable vehicle on the market today. The designing, testing, and engineering that went into the FJC is unsurpassed by none. It has taken vehicle design to a new level by reaching out to the customer and finding out what they want in an offroad vehicle. In doing so, Toyota has developed a vehicle that can, right off the factory floor, conquer virtually any obstacle put in front of it on the trails and then drive home in on the highway at over 80 mph in comfort. I have no doubt that it will be with me for better than 300,000 miles. With the development of the FJ Cruiser, I think Toyota has some other companies scared in their tracks.

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  PA salt killed my frame - 1997 Toyota 4Runner
  By brian. - September 29 - 3:13 am

  1997 4Runner SR5 4WD. Bought it 7 yrs old with 103K miles. Replaced antisway bar link a year later and noticed a lot of new frame surface rust. 5 years since i bought it the frame rusted through. What a shame, it was a typical strong, solid Toyota. It would have run for 100K or more no problem.

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  New 2007 yaris - 2007 Toyota Yaris
  By Ben - September 29 - 2:16 am

  It does not have the handling and performance of the 2003 Dodge Neon that I traded in but the fuel savings are about 40 dollars a week so far. I have put about 300 miles on it this week and should average about 400 or so a week. It is a lighter car than I am used to and the only plus so far in this car is the economics. I have yet to take it on any long trips but would rather have this Yaris than the Neon when it come to gas prices. I am saving about 5 or so miles a gallon so far in the city and should save 10 on the highway. I would say that this is an average car and does what it was built to do. Save on fuel, not on style or personality.

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  1999 - Original Owner and still going and going and going.... - 1999 Toyota Camry
  By clongstreet - September 29 - 2:08 am

  This is the second Camry I have had in 19 years. The first was a 1992 LE 4 cylinder (remember those?). Anyway, I liked it so much for work (outside sales) that I bought a new one in 1999. I have driven it ever since. It now has 140,700 miles on it with NO signs of giving up. I am in outside sales and believe me, I drive it. Despite it now has its slight dings and scratches the paint is still beautiful after all these years. It runs smoooooooth as can be thanks in part to using 5-30 Mobile 1 since day one...not a drop burns, not drip anywhere. Mechanically, this thing has run like a top for 12 years and counting. No major repairs.

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  2006 Avalon XLS - 2006 Toyota Avalon
  By Beats Everything - September 28 - 11:10 pm

  I read all the mags and test drove just about everything in the 30-50k price range. This 06 Avalon XLS has everything and more that any other luxury car has and does it better, more powerful, on regular gas with great economy. A no brainer with GPS, JBL upgraded stereo and so many other goodies, why would anything else do.