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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  Very Happy with Purchase - 2005 Toyota Highlander
  By Boston Bob - September 24 - 6:23 pm

  We were debating between the CRV and the Highlander but went with the Highlander for the extra room and the third row which will come in handy once the kids are out of carseats. We are very happy with our decision, it drives great, is quiet and we are expecting it to be extremely reliable.

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  boring - 2003 Toyota Sequoia
  By roadrunner - September 24 - 10:00 am

  The Sequoia is big and boring. Front seat armrests are too small to be of any value. Daytime running lights cannot be shut off. Climate control system has a mind of its own. The owners manual has you consult your local Toyota dealer to change many preprogrammed electronic features.

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  Say Good-by Windstar - 2003 Toyota Sienna
  By windstarNoMo - September 24 - 10:00 am

  After the first 6mo. of ownership, no problems or areas of dissatisfaction. The engine is economical and powerfull, well built and quiet. The interior is comfortable, plenty of room and is well structured. Every seat is removable and adjustable. Windstar was larger but we like the slightly smaller size more. The plastic lower pannels on the exterior fend off rocks and road salt and make washing/waxing easier. Brakes; Seinnas brakes are smooth, sure, refined and powerfull, very un Windstar like!

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  Good small car - 1999 Toyota Corolla
  By Deb Geb - September 24 - 10:00 am

  My corolla is great for driving to work & short trips. It is a tight squeeze for a family of four with luggage.(I still have a lot of faith in Toyota & Im leaning toward a camry for my next car).

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  MY REVIEW - 2003 Toyota RAV4
  By MISS SPOILED24 - September 24 - 10:00 am

  I LOVE THIS CAR, AFTER 2 MONTH, I STILL FEEL THE SAME EXCITEMENT WHEN i GET IN IT AS WHEN I LEFT THE DEALER WITH IT. DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN GREAT AND QUITE HONESTLY, I WILL DRIVE TOYOTAS FOREVER.

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  Brand new and lovin it...... - 2003 Toyota 4Runner
  By robsjunx - September 24 - 10:00 am

  Needed more room and got exactly that plus more. i love all the extra ammenities that came with my sport edition and i love that its sooo smooth. it drives just like a car!!!

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  Great car, but whats next? - 2003 Toyota Camry
  By Rob5593 - September 24 - 10:00 am

  Smooth, quiet, big trunk, runs like a 6, quality inside and out, great suspension, brakes, sound system. Quality material in the seats and doors, almost a baby Lexus. The SE suspensions offered more body control and less lean and float than the le and xle. Priced less than the xle, with nearly all the add ons, the SE was a package that had the features I was looking for, ie, 16" performance tires, alloy wheels, four wheel disc brakes, ABS, fog lights,sun roof, and permium JBL 8 speaker sound system. 75% of toyotas sales are the 4cl, new engine in 2002, i-vtec, this produces as much hp as your standard american v6.

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  Utility at its best - 2004 Toyota Sienna
  By San Diego Family - September 24 - 10:00 am

  This is a very well thought out van and you can tell Toyota payed attention to the details. They incorporated many of the best features of all other mini vans. Its things like a 60/40 rear seat thats very easy to fold, and when the seat is up there is a huge well for storage that you can easily fit several bags. It also has the best turning radius in its class which is great for parking lots and parking in general. The braking is excellent. Acceleration and handling are on par with the honda. Throw in a great price and this is one great mini van that will be tough to beat.

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  98 LE 4cyl - 1998 Toyota Camry
  By Arthur - September 24 - 9:13 am

  Great Car other than regular maintenance no issues with it. Its clear that the people who rated this car so low DOESNT actually own one, and are just plain full of it. How could so many other people not have problems .

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  Not a home run, but at least a triple - 2005 Toyota Sienna
  By bridgewater - September 23 - 8:20 pm

  Our Toyota Sienna has been nearly perfect. There are a few things that annoy. Locking out the passenger windows also means the driver cant use them.There is not retained power so if you stop for minute you loose all power including radio and DVD. Maybe not a big deal but when the kids movie has to be started all over again its a pain. The engine power is great and it is very comfortable inside. You will never run out of room inside.