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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  Couldnt be more happy - 1999 Toyota Avalon
  By Harold M. - April 19 - 11:53 pm

  A very nice vehicle. Outside of normal maintenence it has never needed a thing. I would recommend an Avalon for anyone who likes a luxurious ride, great performance, and superior reliability.

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  Best Tacoma Yet! - 2005 Toyota Tacoma
  By L Smith - April 19 - 10:16 am

  This is the third toyota truck owned. By far this is the best Tacoma. Traded 97 Tacoma standard cab w/127k miles, never a problem. This new tacoma is a hit! Great new size and good power. Very comfortable seats front and rear. Rear seat back is very comfortable even for larger passengers. Like the telescoping tilt wheel. Love the new composite bed. Adjustable bed rail system very convienient. This truck turns heads. After several tanks full, getting 22 mpg hwy, 20 city as displayed on sticker. 245 hp auto tranny great combo, smooth shifting, plenty of power. TRD off road pkg is worth the money. Good comfortable ride for a truck. Toyota quality shows in and out.

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  Excellent, excellent, reliable van! - 2005 Toyota Sienna
  By Patricia - April 19 - 12:00 am

  Driving this car is the best experience: comfortable, convenient, effortless -- particularly, because I care for two disabled persons -- its the best designed vehicle for this purpose.

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  Great SUV!!! - 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser
  By Veronica Perez - April 18 - 9:13 pm

  The drive on this vehicle is sooo fun!!! We have taken it off roading and it performed great you could barely feel the bumpiness.This is a such a fun vehicle to drive. And it has three windshield wipers!!!! And thats not including the rear wiper. I highly recommend this SUV. If you dont like a Hummer and dont like a land rover but would like something like those this is your SUV!!!

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  Best suv - 2006 Toyota 4Runner
  By John Davis - April 18 - 12:28 pm

  Get one if its the right price... If your from the north check underneath for rust

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  The best SUV Ive ever owened - 2002 Toyota Sequoia
  By gkurdi - April 18 - 10:46 am

  I have driven a Chev. Suburban and had so much trouble with it. This car feels/drives like a Lexus and is roomy enough to fit all I neede (8 passengers). This is the perfect carpool mom car. I love it.

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  First Toyota - 2009 Toyota Camry
  By spur - April 18 - 7:06 am

  This is my first foreign vehicle. I have been very pleased for the most part with this car. I get 29 mpg with a modern looking interior. The car doesnt even have 28,000 miles and they needed to be replaced. I dont squeal the tires, slam on the brakes, or even speed. The tires have even been rotated every 5,000 miles. Another problem I have with the car is the windows. When it is hot, the windows stick and leave a black residue you can never get off. A couple of times I thought the window would detach or motor would break. I guess that will probably be the next recall.

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  toyota tundra - 2005 Toyota Tundra
  By Lee Hollingsworth - April 17 - 3:50 pm

  The Tundra has plenty of room. Gas mileage is pretty good too. It is stylish. I love my toyota......

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  What a blast!!! - 2001 Toyota MR2 Spyder
  By bmerton - April 17 - 10:00 am

  This car has to be one of the most "fun to drive" cars EVER!!! My Spyder gets heads turning everywhere I go. Its not uncommon for me to come out of a building to have people milling about my car, checking it out...wondering what it is (Ive debadged it, except for the "Spyder" logo. :) Most common guess: Porsche.

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  Good - 2003 Toyota Celica
  By EdLover - April 17 - 10:00 am

  Car is very very very very very very very very ver very very very very awesome