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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  Thanks again toyota! - 1998 Toyota Camry
  By atoyot - September 3 - 9:06 pm

  I purchased this car with 177,000 miles on it for $2600. I was concerned I didnt get the best deal i could have, but after just a few weeks of ownership, i know this car will last until the 300k mark with minimal maint. The first 18 gal tank of gas provided me with 460 miles of driving pleasure, upon refuel, i found out I still had 3 gals. left in the tank. thats 25mpg combined, probably closer to 28 mpg had I finished the tank off. that is very respectable my my standards, as Im a truck person. the is quite a bit of road noise but nothing the stereo doesnt drown out. i plan on flushing the trans, and putting high-mileage synthetic fluids in from here on out, hope to keep it as long as can.

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  Awesome SUV - 2006 Toyota 4Runner
  By se4r - September 3 - 5:30 pm

  First SUV owned, got it because starting a family and to be able to make trips to the snow without worry. Great truck, love everything about it, A/C design needs some work but you get used to it. Too bad MPG cant be a tad better, but it is a SUV after all. Surprising good ride and strikes the perfect balance of truck, smoothness and sportiness.

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  So far, so good - 2008 Toyota RAV4
  By John C - September 3 - 5:06 pm

  Its our first Toyota (past is mostly Hondas & Fords), and has been a good purchase so far. It replaced our Ford Explorer, and the ride and handling are great. 3rd row seat is good, but tight for the kids on short rides. Good ride / handling, and the 4 cyl engine has good acceleration (better than the CRV and V6 Escape we tested). Easy to get in and out for my wife (only 5 tall), and has good seating position. She drives it mostly around town, so we are only averaging 21 mpg, but hope to get better results on highway trips. Interior is well constructed, controls are easy to use with good layout. Looking forward to mileage on longer trips, and to see how good AWD drive is in the snow

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  Great Suv - 2007 Toyota RAV4
  By Robert - September 3 - 1:10 pm

  This SUV is nimble and quick. It is still fun to drive after 2 years and 30K miles! The gas mileage - even for the V6 - is great, usually 22-23 mpg in mixed driving and 27-28 hwy. Acceleration literally blows anything else off the road and almost stops on a dime. It handles like its on tracks. I have not had any mechanical issues with the vehicle. The one thing it needs, however, is a mounting bracket for the front license plate. In a 2- plate state like this one, that can be a problem.

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  2006 Highlander Nice choice - 2006 Toyota Highlander
  By gary - September 3 - 12:53 pm

  Typical good Toyota quality, interior very bland and plain, small armrest, 3rd seat is so small it is unusable Smooth running, great in the snow. with 4WD Overpriced compared to other similar SUV But is a good vehicle with no problems so far.

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  Worth It - 2008 Toyota Highlander
  By Bigchief - September 2 - 9:36 pm

  I only have owned for 2 weeks, but this vehicle has surpassed my expectations. I researched and tested Acadia and Mazda CX9, however, based on the features and looks of the Highlander, this was my choice. I am hoping the maintenance and cost of ownership of the Toyota reputation is valid with this vehicle. I have received many "thumbs-up" gestures from older Highlander drivers. I chose the Sport with a lot of extras. Would have been easier to deside if a greater selection of Highlanders were on the lot, but I am thrilled with the color and vehicle I ordered.

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  Good Truck - 2013 Toyota Tacoma
  By oldguy42 - September 2 - 9:30 pm

  I had been driving a 1994 Toyota pickup for 17 years and decided to trade for a new one. I was sure it would be another Toyota, and spent quite a bit of time deciding which model to get. Im hopeful that my research might help others in deciding what to buy. I mostly drive the truck back and forth to work, so it was important to get a comfortable vehicle that is fun to drive. The SR5 package has more comfortable seats in my opinion and a nicer interior, so I got the SR5 package. The 4-cylinder has plenty of power for me. The truck is quiet and comfortable and I enjoy driving it.

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  Solid SUV - 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser
  By Blckdimnd - September 2 - 7:16 pm

  I have Tahoe Z71 & Jeep beside this new FJ Cruiser. You just cannot get better product than the FJ. Best Californian designers combines with 100% best build in Japan.

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  Excellent Value for My Money - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By Dave - September 2 - 3:26 pm

  I knew Camrys were good, reliable cars, but until now, I thought they were boring with horrible styling. No more. Suspension, braking and handling feels excellent when I drive in the city or highway. It surprised me how good it behaves because we also owned a BMW 525i, and we were ready to use it as a baseline for comparison. Transmission is smooth and the 2.4L engine is quiet. It has more than enough power to drive around, unless you are into rapid takeoffs. The V6 I test drove was smooth, but I am willing to trade some power for the price difference. BMW 550 is still my favorite car, but hands down, I think we got the best value for our money here. Toyota uses lots of plastics, but it makes it look good.

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  Good, but could be better - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By CLeve - September 2 - 11:13 am

  All around this car is amazing, its sleek exterior and futuristic interior is sure to turn some heads. The only problem with the four cylinder is the power, its not quite as quick as the 06 and could use a little more get up and plus people think that it sounds like a diesel volkswagen when it is sitting in idle in the parking lot.