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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  Could not be happier - 2010 Toyota Corolla
  By tituschas - May 31 - 2:00 pm

  Took advantage of big discount and cash back to buy my first Toyota. Fun to drive, have not experienced ANY of the issues that others have noted. Gets great mileage, loaded with safety features and very nice styling. Buy it!

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  Great Truck! - 2008 Toyota Tundra
  By David - May 31 - 7:53 am

  This truck performs great! It drives through the snow with ease, I have only had to use the 4-wheel drive a couple of times. It is such a great ride. When we go somewhere its a fight about whose vehicle we are going to take. (I usually win.)

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  Buying Another Brand New FJ This Week - 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser
  By zackal - May 31 - 1:13 am

  Living in The Great White North the FJ is an absolute treat in the winter months. Purchased the base model with full time 4wd and 6 speed manual. I have never been stranded or stuck anywhere (common sense it important when playing in any off roader.) On the highway you feel safe as a tank and lots of power to pull out and pass if you know how to properly match the tranny to speeds. Ive had 4 Jeep TJs (Wranglers in the USA) and still have one for my kids. The FJ is their favorite to drive over the Jeep except on top down days. I am just about to pick up another FJ, the exact same model, Yellow, base 6 speed. For the money, probably the best value on the road.

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  Great car for the price - 2015 Toyota RAV4
  By Yueting Walker - May 30 - 9:11 pm

  gas tank is small

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  taco - 2002 Toyota Tacoma
  By t komp - May 30 - 7:26 pm

  look at fuel hoses

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  Best large car - 2010 Toyota Avalon
  By Ron - May 30 - 4:03 pm

  Read many reviews I disagree with liking Avalon to a Buick. Judging strictly within the large car field based on price, features, comfort, build quality, reliability and mileage, Avalon is hands down the best. If you prefer a large car, what is wrong with a car that is well made, comfortable, reliable with a smooth ride and great gas mileage. The hype to promote other cars in the field such as the Taurus and LaCrosse is just that. These cars dont measure up to the Avalon. How does this make the Avalon an Old Mans car and the others not?

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  Simply Perfect!! - 2008 Toyota Highlander
  By vidafareed - May 30 - 1:46 pm

  This is my first brand new car and I adore it. My brother has a BMW X5 and I see no difference in the performance, build and looks. Great buy. Recommended 5 out of 5.

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  Pleasantly surprised - 2010 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By Bo - May 30 - 9:43 am

  I am 64 and Ive always had a problem finding a roomy car with good fuel economy. My choices have been limited to roomy-gas guzzling SUVs and too cramped gas sipping compacts and mid size sedans. I debated between the Altima Hybrid, Jetta TDI and the TCH. The Jetta was still cramped for me and the Altima Hybrid being a TCH in Nissan clothing, I opted for the original.Ive had it for two months now and really enjoy it. It is exactly what I was looking for in a car and I am very satisfied with my purchase.

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  Unassuming overachiever - 2010 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By Mark - May 30 - 6:53 am

  I visited California and rented a Camry hybrid. I am not a stranger to hybrids, I drive a 06 highlander hybrid and I used to have a 07 civic hybrid. The Honda was a piece of joke, a toy car, I later traded it for a real usable car, a Subaru outback. Back to the Camry hybrid, it was a nice surprise, the ride is very refined, very smooth, very quite, and road impacts nicely are flattened. Driving 80 mph feels like 50 mph. I expected that my 4 large travel luggage and a stroller not to fit the trunk since all my stuff barely fit in my Subaru outback when I left New York. To my amazement all my luggage and the stroller fit the trunk. Usage mileage 38 MPG better than civic hybrid.

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  My Tacoma - 2002 Toyota Tacoma
  By Mark Folty - May 30 - 6:43 am

  I just purchased my Tacoma a couple weeks ago. It is a big change from my 1993 Tercel! What a truck! I had wanted one for quite some time, and coincidently, while I was really looking, I lucked out and got in on the Presidents Day 0.0% financing for three years. Like another reviewer had said, the truck is pretty stiff, but, man, is it fun to drive! The style is perfect. To some it up, I dont want another vehicle, ever.