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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  Just the best!! - 2000 Toyota Land Cruiser
  By darby124 - June 6 - 10:00 am

  Using this vehicle at 9000 above sea level in Colorado Rocky Mountains really has been a joy. It just loves to glide along the interstate, to plow through snow on side roads, to manage ice/rain/snow/mud--anything, all in the plushest luxury I have ever had around me.

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  Smooth Quiet Drive - 2003 Toyota Camry Solara
  By Darth Skywalker - June 6 - 10:00 am

  Smooth and quiet with a responsive engine. The ultimate machine for a one-hour commute to work. Comfortable ride with a well designed interior and near perfect seats. Large trunk holds 4 sets of golf clubs. Exceptional rear seating with comfort and room for a long trip. I had an earlier model that was totaled in a rear-end accident. My trunk was totally collapsed into an accordion. The shock absorption design work great. No injuries to me or the other driver. Promptly went out and bought another identical Solara

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  NOt bad - 2003 Toyota Highlander
  By mtc46jw - June 6 - 10:00 am

  Have quite happy with the thing overall, much better than the American equivalents. Wanted to like the Jeep products but one test drive comparsion was enough to go with the "CATruck" Have not been sorry yet!

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  Interior styling????? - 2002 Toyota Camry
  By juzepp - June 6 - 10:00 am

  This is my first Toyota and and I really like this car! One thing really irks me though. The ugly dash! Ive always preferred "waterfall" type cockpits. Look at an Olds Aurora and youll see what a dash should look like! And whats with the open bins? They look SO cheap! Cant Toyota put a hinged door on it???

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  Love It! - 2008 Toyota Corolla
  By wms - June 6 - 4:43 am

  We now own 3 Toyotas and we will buy again. This was by far the smartest purchase we have ever made. We are a family of 4 and this is our main mode of transportation. Now that gas is almost at 4.00 a gallon, it takes roughly $40.00 to fill it up when it is dead on empty. We bought it for the mpg and it performs well. My husband uses it daily for work, and he is rather a large person. I would suggest this car before purchasing a Yaris. The Corolla is really a nice car that you dont mind driving if youre downsizing.

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  A Great Truck - 2008 Toyota Tundra
  By Tlane - June 6 - 4:13 am

  Wow! I love my Tundra. I have owned Ford trucks all my life - they are good trucks, but they dont match this Toyota. It pulls my 5000 lb 21 ft boat through the CO mountains like its not even back there. It is far superior to my previous F150 5.4 L for towing as far as power, stopping ability, and vehicle control. It does 60 mph plus on any of the grades where my F150 struggled along 38-42 mph in first or second gear. Its down right fast when Im not towing. So far Im getting 11.9 MPG towing the boat in the mountains and 17.5 commuting and around town. I can understand how people get lower mileage though, its fun to jump on the gas to see if it really does do 0-60 in 6 sec.

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  Toyota Van - 2006 Toyota Sienna
  By NJNUT - June 6 - 12:53 am

  My XLE model is loaded for that trim line and I cant see needing anything else. It has a car-like ride but you can certainly feel the weight. The double auto slide doors and auto rear doors are fantastic if you have kids. The leather is tough and easy to clean. Fold down seats are very handy and easy to use. JBL sound system is easy to use and can be used with a MP3 player. Controls are well labeled and within reach of driver. Dash lighting is "cool" and easy on the eyes. Triple zone heating/AC works very well.

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  Not bad for a Small Car - Great on Gas! - 2008 Toyota Yaris
  By Letgil - June 5 - 2:50 pm

  My driving experience so far has been pretty amazing, the steering is very sensitive and the power for this car seems better than average. The interior is appealling and so is the exterior.

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  Just cant beat it!! - 2014 Toyota Sequoia
  By jedi7503 - June 5 - 10:49 am

  I just got the wife a 2014 Sequoia limited and its by far the best vehicle Ive owned. (Ive had a couple of Mercedes before). It addresses all of the comfort and safety issues that a family of 5 could ask for. The new Entune compatibility is the best with the smart phone connection and bluetooth capabilities. The computer will pick up your phones music and just start playing it when prompted. The 4 wheel drive rocks too! Pulled my brother in law out of a ditch in the snow (had a two wheel drive truck) and I had him out before the wife knew what was going on. Youre going to pay for this Truck as they are not cheap but its well worth the $ to get the comfort, reliability and quality

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  Comfort in a Camry - 2013 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By Brian L. - June 5 - 7:38 am

  Great comfortable dependable car. Never a single problem mechanically or otherwise. I cant say enough good things about this car.