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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  Dissapointed - 2016 Toyota RAV4
  By Jim S. - June 19 - 3:39 am

  Probably just luck of the draw but my Brand New Rav 4 had a faulty transmission that the dealer acknowledged and replaced to their credit. It had a very pronounced whining/whistling noise on deceleration and still has some whistling noise to it on acceleration now. If I knew then what I know now about CVT Transmissions, I would have purchased a different vehicle that has a conventional trans. Did much research before the purchase and the Rav 4 had awesome reviews across the board which heavily influenced my decision to purchase it. Live and learn.

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  230K and counting - 1992 Toyota Camry
  By 61Lakewooder - June 19 - 2:00 am

  We bought this car for my teenage son for his first car with 217K miles on it. The lady we bought it from bought it new and put three teenage girls through it as their first car. She had all of the maintenace records and cried when we drove away. In the last year Ive put on brakes, struts, stabalizer links, etc. Nothing major and it just keeps on ticking.

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  Fun to drive, strong 4cyl, reliable+++ - 2000 Toyota 4Runner
  By alchemy - June 19 - 2:00 am

  The 150+ horse power I-4 is adequate for most applications. Excellent acceleration with the manual transmission, strong, quiet and tuff when reved. The interior build quality is impecable. The 2wd model which I have doesvery well on fire roads and minor off road driving. The high ground clearance and manual transmission allows the vehicle to wedge into just about any forseeable situation. With the right tires, it is great on snow too. If you want to climb hills, get the 4x4, but the 5 speed 2wd it adequate for most applications

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  100,000 plus - 1998 Toyota Camry
  By toyotafan - June 19 - 2:00 am

  Purchased new, today showing 107,000 miles and doing better than the Energizer bunny. Other than the routine caretaking suggested by the mfg, nothing has failed.. There is no need to apologize for the always in style good design looks. The real excitement shows off as a low cost operating machine that goes and goes. Our fierce south Texas sun has done little to harm its ice cube cold A/C or tough white exterior paint.

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  blown engine - 1998 Toyota Camry
  By karen klein - June 19 - 2:00 am

  I had 105524 miles on my car and it blew an engine. I understand this is a problem for Toyotas the last few years. Car was well maintained, but went from a 7000. asset to 500. in one day.

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  Great Tundra - 2004 Toyota Tundra
  By pppmjde - June 19 - 2:00 am

  I purchased a Toyota Tundra in July of 2002 it is now 16 months old with 25,000 miles on it. It is one great truck. I have owned GME and Ford and this vehicle is over and above the rest. It is by no means perfect but compared to the others no contest...

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  Love My Highlander - 2003 Toyota Highlander
  By naturalpsych - June 19 - 2:00 am

  Had the car about a year, no problems whatsoever. Feels very luxurious.

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  After testing many others... - 2004 Toyota Highlander
  By christineb - June 19 - 2:00 am

  Highlander! I own my own business and could have gotten a big writeoff with a heavier SUV, but my conscious wouldnt allow me to buy a gas guzzler on the taxpayers bill. I took home and drove many SUVs, some over a weekend. The Pilot was so generic and bland inside, and the driving experience was blah, the Envoy was classy but a gas guzzler. No other SUVs in the low 30s are as well rounded as the Highlander. Its such a well made truck. I used to have a $50k GMC Envoy and this is as plush as that, but better in many other areas. This is my first Japanese car, and I think Ill stick with Toyotas from now on...

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  Pot hole eater - 2004 Toyota Tacoma
  By Jeff - June 18 - 4:46 pm

  Purchased 04 standard cab new, basic nuts and bolts truck. I did put a cab cover on. The thing that stands out most on this truck is its durability. I live in a city that has lots of bad roads, and while Honda CVCCs are tiptoeing around pot holes I plow right through them, and love to look in my rear views at expressions of awe. I did have to replace the front brakes at 45K, but other than that its very reliable and a blast to drive.

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  Practical Machine - 2007 Toyota RAV4
  By Versatile Vehicle - June 18 - 11:20 am

  The Toyota RAV4 Sport V6 is a wonderful, well thought out vehicle. I looked at the other competitors before buying and they dont offer the interior features, room, and comfort that this vehicle does. The drive is comfortable and the V6 engine has great pick up with 269 hp. Also note that the V6 gets only one mile less in gas mileage compared to the four cylinder. The safety features built in along with available options for this vehicle are great. The height of this vehicle is also just right, and unlike the Honda CR-V four cylinder, there is more power and more interior room. You will get many compliments with a Toyota RAV4 Sport V6.