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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  My Matrix - 2003 Toyota Matrix
  By Luckyned - July 17 - 2:00 am

  Very fun and very comfortable car. My entire family loves it.

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  Best Truck for the Money - 2003 Toyota Tundra
  By JaxTundra - July 17 - 2:00 am

  When I shopped for a truck, the first thing I considered was proven reliability. That narrowed my shopping quickly. The Tundra has a track record of reliability, and Toyota has built quality vehicles for years, so it was not hard to consider the Tundra. I usually buy Nissan vehicles, but lately their quality has not been what it used to be. I first thought the Tundra would be too big, but when I took the test drive, I fell in love with it. It does not "feel" as big as the Ford F-150 I had driven, and in some ways, it actually feels like driving a very comfortable car, with extra meat. This is a fantastic truck, that is built in Indiana.

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  Best value (for what it is!) - 2003 Toyota RAV4
  By Vamanos - July 17 - 2:00 am

  Thanks to all you reviewers who helped me decide against the CR-V and for the RAV4. Visually, it was no contest. CR- V may have 15 or so more horses, but it was way too conservative, bland and boring. My 12 year old Saturn had more style. The new Sport model with the Graphite Gray Pearl paint sold me. With gas at $2.00+ a gal., Im pleased with the 4 cyl mileage (so far). Glad I chose the RAV 4 over the Saturn Vue, though for the money it is very close and I will miss the dent-free side panels. My mini RX 300 is functional, sexy, sporty and half the price of the Lexus. Gotta get the moon roof and wider wheels/tires to maximize comfort and handling.

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  A Lexus in Toyota clothing - 2003 Toyota 4Runner
  By rayo - July 17 - 2:00 am

  It is true quality without the fluff. I Think of this truck as a fine wine. It will get better with age.

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  Srunner Rocks - 2003 Toyota Tacoma
  By Srunner - July 17 - 2:00 am

  What a great truck. The Handling is super and the engine is great. The V6 with 3100 pounds can really make this truck move. So far Ive clocked over 27K miles and no problems... havent visited the dealer other than oil changes.

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  What a great car!! - 2003 Toyota Corolla
  By Marie Louise - July 17 - 2:00 am

  I researched my Corolla before purchasing it.It is the best car ever!! I dont have to get gas very often, it lasts for 3weeks!!I am totally in love with my car!It is so fun to drive and it is very comfy!It is a ver smooth ride, and it is adorable!I dont know why there were people complaining about a bumpy ride?It is smooth to me. I love my car!

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  2005 Toyota XLS - 2005 Toyota Avalon
  By Ken - July 16 - 10:53 pm

  I love it. I like the way it looks inside and out. The new engine is very powerful, smooth and quiet. There is lots of room for rear seat passengers. My neighbor is six feet five inches tall and he had plenty of room.

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  Wow...... - 2008 Toyota FJ Cruiser
  By Tom - July 16 - 6:00 pm

  Some may call it a mid-life crisis, but I call it fun. The 2008 FJ Cruiser is a break from the norm, a good one, and has to be one of the most fun vehicles on the market today. The inside reminds me of an early 70s Chevy Blazer: cool. The driving position is excellent, and the seats are comfortable. One cant help but feel safe with all the standard air bags, stability controls, and just the sheer size of everything. The FJ says cool simplicity vs. sophisticated. Fuel economy is not great, but is better than many SUVs. While not for everyone, the FJ is easily the best car I have ever owned. Do you get up in the morning excited to get in your ride? Not to rub it in, but I do.

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  My 2 Cents - 2008 Toyota Highlander
  By Brian - July 16 - 9:46 am

  I purchased a Highlander Limited about 3 months ago. My wife is the primary driver and she is satisfied with the purchase but does not enjoy the Highlander as much as her previous Nissan Murano. We needed a 3rd row so we were forced to get something new. Her main complaint is how close she must sit to the steering wheel to reach the pedals. She is about 5 5" and she sits about 5 inches away from the steering wheel, the Murano had adjusted pedals which allowed her to sit back more. Her only other complaint is how loose feeling the steering is, I personally like the effortless steering, but she prefers a little more feedback from the car. Other then that we are happy with the purchase.

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  Navigator - 2008 Toyota Avalon
  By Don Cramer - July 15 - 10:26 am

  Overall I am very satisfied. I rate the navigator a 4. It is not user friendly and should be discarded and replaced with another. I would not have bought it if I had known. The Bluetooth set up is that you can only connect 1 phone at a time. You have to go into the phone set up and change it. The ride is quiet. The car is too new to get a an estimate on mpg.