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:

• 

  Great SUV - 2006 Toyota RAV4
  By KS - June 26 - 8:20 am

  No complaints here. I purchased as my first car that I am paying for. Dealership was a pleasure to work with. Got it for 21K out the door. Love the 6disc in dash and the control that this car has. It drives like a sedan but is an SUV. Coming from a small car with power nothing, I love all the standard features on this car. Fun and easy to drive, great gas mileage for an SUV, and is big enough to fit me and my friends comfortably.

• 

  Solara Conv Poor Quality - 2005 Toyota Camry Solara
  By Dr. Joseph Lanfresch - June 25 - 12:40 pm

  The car looks great but with the top up and the fixed rear headrests its impossible to see out the rear window. The fit and finish of the body has panel and paint flaws where the plastic meets the metal,which the dealer refused to repair. The Conv top stitching was coming apart by the rear window, again no dealer help. The seat belts do not retract and the rear belts flap in the wind with the top down. The car has no side guard protection so you accumulate parking dings on the doors. The front slope of the car does not allow you to see the distance to the car in front when parking or entering a garage. The cover for the Conv top requires two people to install. Very disappointed

• 

  Great car. - 1997 Toyota Camry
  By KPL - June 25 - 10:00 am

  This is the best car I have ever owned. Very reliable. Rides great. Has over 113000 miles and doesnt use any oil. Very quiet inside.

• 

  Legendary Quality - 2001 Toyota Sequoia
  By CincyJAS - June 25 - 10:00 am

  Legendary Toyota Quality is just that, a legend. I replaced ALL of the following in the first 12 months: 1) Control module for dashboard instruments 2) Front brake pads 3) Front rotors 4) Rear brake pads 5) Rear rotors 6) Hatch window weather seal 7) Hatch window wiper 8) Power steering pump 9) Alternator 10) Battery 11) Handgrips, coat hooks, etc. I replaced the following in year 2: 1) Brake Pads/Rotors on all 4 wheels 2) All 4 tires (between 25K - 30K miles) The on-the-fly 4 wheel drive system takes a LONG time (> 1 min) to engage.

• 

  Great Car for the Money !!! - 2004 Toyota Camry Solara
  By JJ4TENS - June 25 - 10:00 am

  The 2004 Solara has style,smooth engine and transmission, and nice interior, its a well balanced car. I was looking at the G35 sports Coupe and Im glad I waited. The first day I had the car four teenagers saw me and gave me the thumbs up. How about that for a compliment? A few days later I had my car parked next to a Lexus SC and the Solara looks like a bigger version. The Solara is not a sports car but it does give you that Lexus ride. With that Toyota reliability the 2004 Solara should do well. I got the feeling. This is my 6th Toyota my last car being a 2000 Avalon XLS.

• 

  Toyota - Complaints - 2003 Toyota Corolla
  By B.Bishop - June 25 - 10:00 am

  Last winter I got an average of 33mpg gas consumption, even going down to 27mpg a couple of times, - ALL highway driving! We did a test on it using cruise control set at 110 and 100 km and got much better mileage...as much as 49-52 mpg. However, we find that it vacillates even with settings at 100- 110 km and will sometimes give only 33mpg. We live in an area without high summer temperatures, and rarely use the air conditioning. It seems that if it creeps up even for only a few minutes to 120 the mileage is adversely affected. (And yes, I am using the correct figures for conversion of km and L to miles and gallons!)

• 

  The great minivan. - 2004 Toyota Sienna
  By Hoang Tran - June 25 - 10:00 am

  My wife and I test drive many other minivan before we made up our mind to buy a Toyota Sienna , we like the new sexy look of the van, very quiet engine, very smooth ride and the price is very reasonable. Our kids love it.

• 

  bvichi - 2005 Toyota Prius
  By Bill Vichi - June 25 - 5:26 am

  This car shows just what a company with a direction and focus can do for the consumer. There is a certain joy that comes when getting 47 miles per gallon. U.S. auto makers had better get with it...and fast!

• 

  4 Runner superiority - 2005 Toyota 4Runner
  By Jeorm1 - June 25 - 5:20 am

  This is my second 4 runner in 2 1/2 years, abefore I had 3 pathfinders and before that Jeeps. None come any where near the performance and integrity of the is vehicle. It ride is as good as a Camry and it is as tough as a Tundra truck. I have over 75K miles between my 2003 and 2005 and not one problem.

• 

  Want comfort and reliability? - 2006 Toyota Camry
  By T Jambage - June 25 - 1:53 am

  Incredibly reliable. 220,000 miles, doesnt loose a drop of oil. Great in snow, comfortable, quiet...