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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  Fuel Economy - 2007 Toyota Prius
  By Snappy - September 25 - 3:10 pm

  Just made a 2000 mile trip. Averaged my MPG and it came out to 55.2. Thats a big Wow!! Drivers seat very uncomfortable for me on long trips.

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  Disappointed in Toyota - 2005 Toyota Highlander
  By dmac - September 25 - 2:50 pm

  The shifts between 1st and 2nd (up and down)are annoying. Daughters driving it will get carsick. Saw this in other reviews. Poor factory install on gaskets caused oil leaks. Lower weather strip on driver side is detaching. Steering is loose and makes it feel like some problem with front end.

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  Best ever owned - 2003 Toyota Tacoma
  By D Powell - September 25 - 1:00 pm

  Best well-made vehicle ever owned. Everything just seems to have been efficiently and ergonomically designed with the drivers needs and comforts in mind. Construction appears to be made with sound materials and involves quality engineering. Detroit needs to look closely here at a winner.

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  Second Tacoma - 2016 Toyota Tacoma
  By Dennis Cahill - September 25 - 6:34 am

  Last Tacoma 2011 trade in 17500 dollars, highest trade in for any other truck brand I ever owned. The 2011 Tacoma had routine maintenance never any mechanical issues just tires and oil changes. The 2016 Tacoma gets 1-1/2 GPM more than the last Tacoma same HP but the 2016 has a 6 speed transmission, improve body style, better seat covers. The SR series has heated outside mirrors and fog lights an upgrade from the 2011 Tacoma SR series. Dont care for the plastic rear bumpers, but the tailgate is much more substantial and has a soft open and close feature. Wish they would have put disc brakes on the rear wheels maybe next year, overall would recommend this truck.

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  I love this vehicle - 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
  By denise - September 25 - 4:53 am

  The SUV has a lot of power and gets good gas mileage, for this big of a vehicle

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  2006 Toyota Limited V8 Black - 2006 Toyota 4Runner
  By Allen - September 25 - 4:43 am

  This is the first car the wife and I both just love. Was great in deep snow. We also like the 110 outlet right in the center console. Power seats with 2 preset adjustments is really nice. We average about 17.5 city and hwy, and about 19/20 on just hwy at 75.

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  Petes Prius Experience - 2008 Toyota Prius
  By SanPedroPete - September 25 - 3:46 am

  This is my wife and my 2nd Prius. We also own a 2004. It has 62,000 mi and has averaged 47-48 mpg combined city/hwy. I currently have 4400 mi on the new one and am averaging 52+ mpg combined city/hwy. I regularly get 54-55 mpg city by using the surging technique. Hwy mileage for both cars is 51-52 mpg going 65 (I know thats slow by todays stds) w/air conditioning on. We both like the finish of the car. And, they are fun to drive. They have an amazing amount of room inside for the size of the car. Our 6-5" sons can sit behind us (Im 6-2") and have knee room. Head room is a little tight due to the slopping roof line though.

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  Reliable, but ergonomic problems - 2001 Toyota Land Cruiser
  By Thorbro - September 25 - 2:53 am

  I bought this after owning a 2002 Yukon. Although I would imagine the reliability of the Toyota is better, the need for premium fuel on top of dismal fuel economy is annoying. Contrary to what another reviewer wrote, there are very few places to put things on the console, so sunglasses and stuff just hang around the shifters. I am 63" and there is insufficient leg room for a vehicle this size. Also, the fold down rear seat does not disappear like in the Yukon, blocking 1 1/2 feet of space - cant sleep in back On the plus side, the traction control is amazing and saved us from a half- way spin-out in the snow last year.

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  King Of The Road - 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser
  By DARIUS - September 25 - 1:26 am

  This is my very first SUV. I think I could not have made a better choice. This SUV is a perfect balance between a off & on road SUV. I still belong to the old school of thought,I will take my FJ on the highway once I have completed 1,600 KM. on the inner roads @ 60 to 70 KM Per hour. Therefore I cannot say how it will peform on the highway. However the ride is unbelievable, Iam quite sure it will perform exceptionally well on the highway too. Iam dying to take it off road...Soon as Iam off 1,600km....All systems go...I find the automatic transmission exceptionally smooth..Plus there is lot of pep in the acceleration too.. Long & short you just cannot go wrong with this SUV...PERIOD...

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  Best vehicle ever purchased - 2006 Toyota Highlander
  By GiftForWIfe - September 24 - 10:43 pm

  Rides as quietly as my Lexus SC430 for $20k less. The hybrid feature is seamless, you dont know its a hyrbid. Peppy and fun to drive. Great interior and exciting Nav system.