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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  The XLS is a great car! - 2006 Toyota Avalon
  By Markal Lincoln - July 13 - 2:43 pm

  The 2006 Avalon is a great car. I test drove many cars before making my decision to purchase the Avalon. I was looking for a larger car, with a more upscale and sophisticated appeal that was under $30,000. My Avalon XLS has it all: Leather seats, JBL Synthesis (booming) sound system, sunroof, sequential shifting, spacious interior, dual power seats, v6, excellent fuel consumption, clean looking dash board thats not cluttered and reclining rear seats. This car also has exceptional speed. If youre not careful, youll be at 100 mph without knowing it. Nice handling for a large car. Sequential shifting really allows one to move quickly.

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  New Prius Owner and Loving It - 2006 Toyota Prius
  By nittanyjj - July 13 - 10:56 am

  Love having a Prius - 7 gallon fill ups every 350 miles are a good thing! So far I dont have any complaints about the car - still learning about all the bells and whistles.

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  MY Favorite Toy - 2005 Toyota 4Runner
  By Avalon Perkins - July 13 - 2:23 am

  Toyota has really out done themselves when they changed the body style of the 2005 4-Runner. Its more roomy and drives smoother. I like what youve done for me Toyota! :)

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  Toyota - well deserved brand for quality - 2006 Toyota Tacoma
  By pcm - July 13 - 1:00 am

  Very impressed with my first truck I purchased for occasional trip to Home Depot. I got the TRD Sport Package and thought that is the most practical option. The truck is amazingly well equiped for its relatively low price.

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  Excellent Updates - 2008 Toyota Sequoia
  By Eudais - July 12 - 11:46 am

  My new Sequoia 08 Limited drives just fabulously! I love the torque that this baby provides when I step on the gas. Overall the vehicle is youthful, rugged, and yet still refined. I did get the 20" wheels, and overall they ride extremely nice, and look awesome. The vehicle interior is extremely quiet compared to my 2004 Yukon Denali XL. The backup camera performs admirably, and is a must with 3 little kids! The integrated bluetooth feature is a must if you are on your phone a lot, it is just fabulous. I do like the look and feel of this new body style. I purchased the Pyrite Mica color, and think is looks fabulous. (looks better in person than online) My kids love the 3rd row seat!

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  Good Dog Car - 2007 Toyota Matrix
  By wolf - July 12 - 10:00 am

  I bought my car used at 36,000 miles. I love it and have not had any problems since purchasing it a year ago. My only complaint is that the in-town mileage is not as good as expected. I get about 23-2 mpg in a very cold and snowy city. Summer hwy miles have been as good as 36 mpg. Granted, I have had to idle the car to warm it up while I clear off ice and snow on our very coldest of days, which reduces mileage considerably. Overall, I love the car and am looking forward to having it for many years to come.

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  Simply the best - 2007 Toyota Prius
  By spinster - July 12 - 7:43 am

  No other hybrid can compete. The Prius is into its 3rd generation and the others have to catch up.

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  So nice I wish I had a longer commute - 2017 Toyota Camry
  By Mike Miranda - July 12 - 2:40 am

  Ive had two used Camrys prior to this one. This is my first brand new Camry and Im impressed with the quality of the car. I wanted something that was dependable and looked sharp. I will never understand those who say the Camry has a ho hum look when its obvious most of the other car makers copy the Camry style. The 4 cylinder engine is quiet and responsive. My only complaints are the SE ride is a lot firmer than the LE and too many Camrys only come with a base entertainment system. I had to really search for one with HD and satellite radio with connected navigation. All controls are laid out well and are easy to use. If youve had a Camry before youll feel right at home. The extra information on the info screen between the tach and speedometer is very handy.

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  Quality - 2004 Toyota Sienna
  By BJ - July 12 - 1:46 am

  Picked the Sienna over the Odyssey for 1 reason, quality. The design of this van is one of a kind (until Honda ripped it off in 05) Lots more options than the Honda including the keyless entry. Lots more room than other models.

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  Love that RAV! - 2005 Toyota RAV4
  By Greg - July 12 - 12:33 am

  I have over 30000 trouble free miles on my RAV4. I had a leaking shock at 24k miles, and they not only replaced the broken one, they replaced the one on the other side so that the vehicle would have the same ride on both sides. Excellent vehicle.