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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  Brake/accelerator warning - 2001 Toyota Echo
  By Kate S. - November 6 - 1:29 pm

  A friend gave me this Echo and it's an impressive little car. However, it took some close calls for me to realize it's possible to brake and accelerate simultaneously. The pedals are too close together and my feet aren't so big that this should be a problem! Can't believe I'm the only one that's had this experience......

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  35 years of Toyota - 2018 Toyota Tacoma
  By Charles Cribb - September 15 - 6:54 am

  I’ve had Toyota’s for 35+ years of Toyota from Corolla T-100 Camry Tundras 4 Runners and Tacoma never had a problem with any of them I just do a oil lub and filter and rotate the tires and keep on going

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  2021 Toyota Sienna, forgotten winner - 2021 Toyota Sienna
  By Robert Osthues - June 21 - 3:17 pm

  Have an XLE with Nav, most comfortable car we have ever owned. and, it gets 40 mpg on highway, it is a hybrid, has all the safety/driver assist available, an excellent vehicle for those advancing in years, visibility is excellent, has all the warnings for being too close. Has more inside room than most SUVs, except suburbans. Love the car

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  Best Adventure Rig! - 1996 Toyota T100
  By Craig - December 4 - 8:14 pm

  i do a lot of exploring off the pavement and in the mountains where i live in the American West. The T100 is by far the best adventure truck that i have owned =) Big enough to comfortably seat 4 adults and 2 dogs; small enough to get into most places without much difficulty. i have had to replace many parts on it, however some of them were the originals that decided to finally give out after 20+ years and 360,000+ miles =)

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  Reasons I love this car. - 1995 Toyota Camry
  By Clay - November 9 - 10:08 am

  We bought our ‘95 Camry from a family member (the original owner) back in 2016. We have drove the wheels off of this car and she has reached almost 270k miles. It has the 2.2 4cyl and shes still going strong. I’m looking at buying another one but it has the 3.0 V6. If anybody has any details on that motor let me know. I’m kind of skeptical because I know the four-cylinder is unstoppable. Thanks.

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  loved my Echo - 2000 Toyota Echo
  By Kevin Nolen - November 1 - 11:49 pm

  Bought a 2 door new in 2000. I put 290,000 on it before In was hit head on. I got 43 mpg overall with the manual and could squeeze 53 out of it on the highway. Original clutch and axles. It took a full on muscle car to get by me, (import type muscle), and got 35 mpg at an average of 87 miles an hour on one trip. Im buying a used one, 2002, tomorrow that has 160,000 on it for $1,400.00 and feel like Im stealing it. Book is $2,750.00

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  Disappointed - 2015 Toyota Camry
  By Disappointed - July 5 - 3:53 pm

  My family has owned and used many Toyota’s prior to the 2015 Camry. We even have the 2014 Camry. After having the 2015 Camry for 5 years now, I must say I’m disappointed in this model. I’ve had the battery replaced about a year into owning my vehicle. With the replaced battery, my car still had a few moment when it has to jump started. Moving forward, the speakers and screen aren’t that great. My 2014 Camry had a larger screen with a clearer image as well. There is a vast difference between both cars when I use the back up camera at night. The volume has to be turned on tremendously in the 2015 Camry in order to get a decent sound going. Also, the paint has started rusting and chipping off of this car already, which is crazy since I’ve had other Toyota’s had more wear and tear but the exterior paint is still on. I’m highly disappointed in the 2015 model. I don’t know if Toyota was trying to rush, but the quality of the Camry model definitely went down. They focused more on the aesthetic, but neglected the aspects of the car that makes it a quality car.

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  2001 Toyota Corolla - 2001 Toyota Corolla
  By JEP - May 24 - 8:21 pm

  Loved This Car!! Bought It Used And Have Had It 4 Years! It Has 360,000 Kms On It!! Great Car On Gas But Its Burning 4 Quarts Of Oil Every 5 Thousand Kms!

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  2001 Highlander awd - 2001 Toyota Highlander
  By Maurice - March 30 - 10:46 pm

  Bought used, a beater, with 79K in 2009 now has 127K and like Toyotas it has never let me down. Easy to drive, blasts trough rain and snow, computer controlled traction control is the way to go, plus 4 wheel antilock disc brakes make this a great SUV for the $. The 3.5 L in the 2008+ models are even more improved. Cons: Thirsty in city driving.

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  Four wheel drive - 2008 Toyota Highlander
  By Sheila stambush - July 15 - 2:41 pm

  I bought this highlander knowing that I need a four wheel drive to get out of my drive. It works when it senses slip. If you start out on a hill, you are going nowhere. That is my only complaint on the highlander.