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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  231K miles and counting - 1998 Toyota 4Runner
  By howie b - August 1 - 9:06 am

  I bought this new in 98 and it has served me very well. I drove it 231K miles and now I have handed it down to my son and I got a new (well, an 07) one. One brake job at 185K, no repairs to speak of other than a starter motor. GREAT vehicle. Totally dependable and a monster in the snow. This has been a great vehicle and will continue to serve my family well.

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  Great Truck - 2006 Toyota Tacoma
  By David - August 1 - 1:46 am

  I bought this truck after trading in a small sports car and realizing I really do need a truck. What can I say, the truck gives me great gas mileage and provides me with all the things I need in a truck.

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  Stay away from the Camry - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By wilson - July 31 - 4:16 pm

  I bought the Camry because of Toyota reliability and quality. I have two Toyotas (a 2007 Tacoma that is ok, and a 1993 mr2 that is great) but so far Im satisfied with them. But then came the Camry, what a junky car. Fuel economy is not that great (24mpg mostly highway on cruise control). Rattles from the dashboard that causes you to pump up the volume on the radio. That Camry has a severe lack of power that is not even funny. It feels like a three cylinder car without the fuel economy!!!! And trust me I am not exaggerating. The transmission, I dont know what to tell you, but good luck if you dont learn from my mistake. Just dont do it. I wish I would have read these reviews.

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  Best Car Ive Ever Owned - 1996 Toyota Camry
  By Big Jim CrimeBoss - July 31 - 11:36 am

  After my 93 Grand Am (which had 189,000 miles) was hit buy a drunk motorist, I bought a 96 Camry from my mother, with 130000 miles on it. And I feel spoiled in the Camry! Im sorry but my faithfulness to American cars ended very quickly once behind the wheel of the Toyota! This is one of the cars that could be driven over the bumpest roads without ever spilling a drop of your favorite coffee! The 11 year old V6 still competes very well on the road and can actually "peel out" reaching a top speed of 135 MPH!! The tire grip is outstanding despite the excess body lean (which Im sure got addressed in newer Camrys). The car took some getting used to but I think it was well worth it!

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  Love my Prius - 2006 Toyota Prius
  By OLMESBOB - July 31 - 11:23 am

  A very nice, well built and fun to drive vehicle. Even without the hybrid it would be a nice vehicle. My wife and I enjoy it very much. Gas mileage is at about 50 on average.

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  MPG Like a Hybrid without the batteries. - 2008 Toyota Yaris
  By John (Tucson) - July 31 - 9:26 am

  I got 43.5 MPG mixed city/freeway on my first tank after break-in, and this is the 4dr with automatic and running the A/C. Keep the tires properly inflated, drive gently, and youll save a lot on fuel. If only Detroit had the vision to compete with this car, they wouldnt be scambling to dump the huge SUVs. Toyota introduced the Prius eleven years ago, and Detroit is just now realizing that oil is a finite resource.

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  Best big lil-car - 2003 Toyota Matrix
  By Neo - July 31 - 3:56 am

  I used to drive an Xterra-BEAST. Hated it. Bought the Matrix bacause it looked cool and had some interior room. Some room indeed. I can put more junk in my Matrix than I ever hoped to stuff in the Xterra. Granted I cant climb mountains in the Matrix, but I didnt climb mountains in the Xterra. ...And I can drive past lost of gas stations with the Matrix...

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  Sequoia - 2003 Toyota Sequoia
  By Nick Natanek - July 31 - 2:00 am

  I think that this is the best car ever!

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  Roadster Fun - 2002 Toyota MR2 Spyder
  By dsmegst - July 31 - 2:00 am

  Bought used this year and got a yellow one with the 5 speed. (The other choice was Red with more miles) The first few weeks were a pain due to a faulty fuel line clip. (Fuel line popped off 2 times on the road. Not good) No more troubles after the clip was replaced. Absolute joy to drive, all the little imperfections melt away soon as I take the first corner. :) What a great little car.

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  great vehicle!!! - 2001 Toyota Land Cruiser
  By drcjj - July 31 - 2:00 am

  I now have about 54,000 miles on my 2001 landcruiser and I am very pleased with its overall performance. this is my 5th landcruiser and for each new car I have shopped the others out there and then returned to the Landcruiser for my purchase. This car climbs about anything, goes in the snow and mud like it doesnt exist and gets about 14 to 19 mpg to boot. Great family roadtrip car, reasonably quiet at 80mph on highways... nice stereo system too, great sound for a factory installed system, true audio quality, much better clarity and intelligability than those Bose systems hyped to be so hot in other cars.