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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  Best Car For Your $ - 2008 Toyota Corolla
  By Ray - June 1 - 7:00 pm

  I love my 08 Corolla, I would like to see a better front seat. Far as rest, it is # 1 in my books. I will be installing cruise next week. More comfort on long hauls.

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  Truly Impressed - 2007 Toyota Avalon
  By CarlosV - June 1 - 2:23 pm

  Truly impressed. My family enjoyed the comfort and space. My wife loved the quick, smooth accelaration and ride. Late last night a drunk driver t-boned us doing over 70mph. The car is a total loss and the accident left us sore all over. My 3 year old son and 10 month old daughter, my wife, brother in law, and I are thankful for a car to do its job. I recommend it to everyone.

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  45.2 Mpg last tank - 2008 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By phil56000 - June 1 - 2:13 pm

  We have owned our Camry Hybrid for just over 4 months and have put 14000 on it. Mpg started at 35 mpg and last 2 tanks were 41.2 and 45.2 thats 448 miles on 9.9 gals. It really teaches you how to get better mileage. The ride is luxurious and the heated seats relax you on long trips. Power is very good. I have added a spoiler (dealer installed) and a K&N filter which have improved mpg. I have tried more often keeping my foot out of it which has rewarded me with extra mpg. We love this car!!

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  Lazy take off - 2008 Toyota Camry
  By charlie - June 1 - 10:16 am

  I bought this camry 3 days ago, the car is very lazy on take off The side mirrors do not give you a good big view of the back. The driver side doorpost blocks your blindspot.

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  Average Car - 2000 Toyota Camry
  By W.G.B - May 31 - 11:23 pm

  I have owned three Camrys in the past and have found most to be great cars. The 2000 Camry has been a disappointment because it started to have different maintenance issue. It started with rear-end noises that were hard to diagnose. It turned out to be a rear barring. Then I had the the shocks replaced front and back which started several noises first rear which turned-out to be bad shocks. Then the front noises started which still are not resolved. Many parts may be the problem say the mechanics. The parts are expensive of course

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  Best car I ever owned - 2004 Toyota Camry
  By JJ - May 31 - 7:50 pm

  I now have about 115,000 miles on this car. There have been no problems. Even what I consider expected repairs came much later than expected; brake pads at 85,000, struts at 110,000. This is even after having been driven by two teenage boys. MPG is great; 27 on daily commute, and 34 on vacation road trips. i have enough confidence in this car that I let my son take it to college with him. I replaced it for my use with a 2007 Camry and have been disappointed. the 2004 is vastly superior.

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  Grandma Car - 2005 Toyota Corolla
  By jhy - May 31 - 7:43 pm

  Too pricy. Engine is too noisy (leak of power). Cheap Goodyear tires (cant hold). Uncomfortable seats. Build quality is very poor. Nothing special. Toyota is now too lazy to be the best.

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  Pleasantly Surprised - 2010 Toyota Camry
  By mwfu00 - May 31 - 3:10 pm

  Hubby purchased 2010 Camry SE V6 while I was out of town. This was my back-up choice, so I was not terribly excited to get home and see it or drive it. Boy, did my mind change when I saw it! This car looks TIGHT, compared to other Camry trims. I am not a car guru-I just want something that goes. Thats why my ride/drive ratings are 8s...those are things I just dont care about (except MPG). But the look of this thing is totally different from my grandmas Camry. Cant imagine Ill be disappointed in the performance/reliability, so Im totally happy with something that is not only a good, sensible decision, but also looks far cooler than I had expected.

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  No Problem - 1998 Toyota Tacoma
  By Mike P - May 31 - 4:46 am

  Hands down, this was the BEST truck I ever owned. I had 180,000 miles on it (with the original clutch) before I unfortunately lost my truck in an accident. The truck ran great, I easily would have gotten 250,000- 300,000 miles. It never let me down, not once. I had that thing up to 4 ft of snow, and it handled great. I had the SR5 V6 extended cab. Gas mileage was aprox. 22 mpg This truck easily beats any midsize truck any other manufacturer could make.

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  2008 Toyota Prius (Canada) - 2008 Toyota Prius
  By Kitchener, ON - May 30 - 11:00 pm

  Purchased 2008 Toyota Prius (Special Edition) in September for my wife. This vehicle has navigation system, backup camera and JBL premium audio. Very pleased with the vehicle, especially with the interior layout - highly functional yet not overwhelming. If you can afford it, I highly recommend purchasing the nav system, it is easy to use and contains latest updates. The backup camera and Smartkey system is also very practical. Initial gas mileage at -5 to 10 deg C is 5.5 L/100 km combined. Ive fitted the Prius with winter tyres and taken it into deep snow - no problem with take off and stopping performance phenominal. Highly recommend this vehicle, considering purchasing another one!