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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  Fun to Drive/Great MPG - 2003 Toyota Matrix
  By 5-speedXR - August 18 - 10:00 am

  The Matrix XR 5-Speed is a wonderful car: fun to drive, excellent gas mileage (35 mpg average so far), comfortable, lots of storage.

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  Yugo in Toyota Cloths - 2003 Toyota RAV4
  By RichieGil - August 18 - 10:00 am

  Kids are older; didnt need minivan anymore. Went out looking at Camrys and Accords but wife likes being up high. Looked at RAV4s and CRVs. Wish weÂ’d bought the CRV. Infamous RAV4 rattle. Been back 3 times; still not fixed. Driver side wiper broke in snow this weekend. Trip #4 to dealer. Just developed a new rattle on roof rack. Car has less than 2000 miles and havent even made 1st payment yet! Auto. doesnÂ’t shift smoothly into high. Not enough storage compartments and ones it has too small. Bought new Plymouth Horizon in 1980; biggest piece of blank I ever bought until now. Thought Yugo of business but Toyota must be outsourcing RAV4 production to them.

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  I love the venza!! (:>) - 2009 Toyota Venza
  By Cathy - August 18 - 7:46 am

  I love the Venza and would recommend it to everyone. My husband and I just came from a 200 mile trip and it was great!! The weather was BAD --but the Venza didnt mind it at all, no problems and the navagations was sooo very helpful, over all I have a lot of faith in the Venza. I only have it for 1 and half months. I cant think it would give me any problems. In the next 6 months I will let you know if I have any problems --I have a lot of faith in it and dont think I will.

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  I will always drive a 4Runner! - 2005 Toyota 4Runner
  By Matt - August 18 - 6:13 am

  With my third 4Runner I have found that they continue to make it better. I have had a 99, 04 and now an 05 and every year they make the small changes that you dont even notice you would like changed. I will always own a 4Runner as I would never question its reliability or quality.

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  Quality and lack of company concern - 2005 Toyota Sienna
  By waldimar - August 18 - 3:13 am

  The first two years of ownership of a 2005 Sienna CE were good, but in the last two months I had repair bills of $2000.00. Radiator leaked/replaced. Power steering rack and steering shaft needed to be replaced. The response from headquarters was, too bad, your warranty is over. Right now I am looking to try something else, maybe even a Dodge Caravan. In this tight market out there I was just surprised by the lack of interest to make me a happy owner of a Toyota product.

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  From Ford to Reality - 2003 Toyota Sequoia
  By PhillyBoy - August 18 - 2:00 am

  After 5 years of driving a Ford XLT, i couldnt take it any more any moved on up to a Sequoia SR% (fully loaded). What an experience. I have seen the light! Although the leather quality is by no means Lexus standard, it is comfortable and classy enough. Please dont complain about the gas mileage - we know the deal going in. The JBL rocks and the CD player is in play. Overall, I should have made the move sooner.

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  1997 Toyota Avalon - 1997 Toyota Avalon
  By bawe - August 18 - 2:00 am

  Outstanding value Huge interior and trunk Lots of gadgets

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  The Best Money Can Buy - 2000 Toyota Land Cruiser
  By jaysun - August 18 - 2:00 am

  Im now a believer in the Toyota legend. I bought my Land Cruiser with 47K miles on it, and it feels like it just came off the assembly line. Not a whistle, squeak, rattle, bump, or other phantom noise or vibration to be heard--and this is over springtime roads in New Hampshire. The fuel economy isnt the greatest but its more than a fair price to pay for the quality and stability youre getting in this vehicle. For all you hear about them, I doubt the Hummer H2s are really this well engineered and built. And all this for several thousand less than I would have paid for a brand-new 4Runner!

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  great car - 2003 Toyota Celica
  By hood - August 18 - 2:00 am

  Excellent handling. Low on torque but once revs build has great power. Superb ride, just the right balance between performance yet maintains decent ride quality. Outstanding brakes. Those looking for a fun, nimble car will not be disappointed. Gets about 29-30mpg on the freeway.

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  Everything But the Paint... - 2000 Toyota Camry Solara
  By SilverSolara - August 18 - 2:00 am

  Wonderful car. I love the fact I can hang wih BMWs, MBs, Lexii, and not feel embarassed. Smooth ride, refined exterior lines, quick punch with a manual tranny & 200HP engine, and hasnt given me problems through 51K. No rattles, thumps, bumps, or left-ward leaning.