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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  2010 Corolla LE - 2010 Toyota Corolla
  By HMS - April 27 - 10:36 am

  I love my new Corolla! I average 36mpg. I really searched for a car with great mpg that was affordable too. The LE has all the features I wanted. The radio is good, interior is roomy and comfortable. Excellent choice! Toyota really does a great job making cars for petite people! Thank you!

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  Fits Out Needs - 2009 Toyota Sienna
  By utahmom - April 27 - 7:20 am

  Has a very smooth ride and short turn radius. Good interior storage capabilities compared to other vans we have owned.

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  Highlander Hybrid Review - 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
  By Hybrid-Owner - April 27 - 5:36 am

  Well worth the purchase overall! I would like to see more features added to the highend limited model which should be included for the price. Things such as seat memory, rear backup camera or sensor, miles to empty info, more buttons on the steering wheel like other lux cars. The nav software is not user friendly but the trip info for the hybrid part is very cool. The EV button that many talk about would be nice to have to manually save more on fuel. Larger gas tank should be considered if the car really does not get 30+/- per gallon as it will result in more trips to the gas station with the car getting less then 400 miles per tank.

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  lil Ms. Dependable - 1995 Toyota Corolla
  By Figgy - April 27 - 2:00 am

  Toyota did it right with this one. She starts in the cold and gets out of snowbanks when the BMW next door gets stuck. She got over 600 miles on a tank on the highway. She smiles and takes all thats dished out. She even has 2 cupholders. The only strange kink is that she gets all foggy inside when more than 2 people are in the car on a cool day. I carpooled 5 teens at times, plus me--crowded and foggy, but do-able. Sometimes she asks for higher grade gas, but generally makes few demands.

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  I love my Tacoma! - 2000 Toyota Tacoma
  By KC-Mike - April 27 - 2:00 am

  Ive been driving my Tacoma around the Midwest for two years and have had ZERO problems. The look is great - adventurous and exciting.

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  Commuter Truck - 2003 Toyota Tundra
  By DangTundra - April 27 - 2:00 am

  I was suprised and impressed with the smoothness of the ride when I test drove the truck. The access cab seat is small and upright, but I only intend to use it to carry my kid(s). I bought a 4WD V8 Tundra Access cab because of the engine, expected reliability, managable size, room in the access cab for car seats, and its strength and versatility.

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  best dollar value in a SUV - 2002 Toyota RAV4
  By ic - April 27 - 2:00 am

  Outstanding value.. Terrific reliablity, Gas mileage of 28+MPG. Loads of usable space.

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  The Best 4Runner Ever - 2003 Toyota 4Runner
  By Thomas461 - April 27 - 2:00 am

  This is my 3rd Toyota. This in my opinnion is the best one yet. Lots of Power from the V8. The old 4Runner was a bit lethargic in comparison. Smooth shifting 5-Speed Automatic transmission and quiet at a mouse at 70 MPH. Bravo, Once again Toyota has come up with a real gem.

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  #1 for a reason - 2003 Toyota Camry
  By Hazem - April 27 - 2:00 am

  I bought an XLE with sunroof and leather and my wife and I absolutely love the car. Its very roomy but not bulky. The interior is beautiful yet simple. The overall build quality is fantastic. Nothing feels cheap or flimsy, inside or out. The trunk is huge, the gas mileage is great, and the price is reasonable. It drives very well. The engine is really quiet and smooth as silk. The handling is a nice mix of performance and comfort. The most significant feature of the car is its proven reliability. Toyota really hit a home run with this car and I cant praise it enough. If youre going to buy one be sure to get the leather and the sunroof.

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  Happy driver - 2001 Toyota Celica
  By Brian - April 26 - 2:40 am

  Besides having an appealing look the Toyota Celica has been reliable and affordable. I wanted a new car in order to avoid major repair costs and problems of a used car as most everyone else. With gas prices and car parts as high as they are I feel I made a wise decision.