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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  4 runnin! - 2000 Toyota 4Runner
  By randy123 - March 24 - 2:00 am

  perfect truck. body style up to 2003 is the best on the market. just needed a stronger engine.

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  RAV 4 RULES - 2004 Toyota RAV4
  By tristud2002 - March 24 - 2:00 am

  It is a lot of fun to drive and has tons of extras. Great power and great steering.

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  Really Good - 2004 Toyota Highlander
  By agapememeber - March 24 - 2:00 am

  words cannot express how this car handles and preform while on the road. My dad recently purchased this suv for me

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  GREAT CAR FOR FUTURE TODAY. - 2004 Toyota Camry
  By JGOODWRENCH - March 24 - 2:00 am

  SAW AT CAR SHOW LIVES UP TO EXPECTATIONS

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  Great SUV!! - 2006 Toyota Sequoia
  By Best Ive ever owned - March 23 - 11:00 pm

  Ive owned my 2006 Sequoia for a year and a half, and have absolutely loved it. I cant think of anything I would change. I shopped and compared many, many SUVs and finally ordered mine as I wanted it - fully loaded. Its beautiful inside and out. Very practical interior and very user friendly. DVD player is not used much but grandkids love it. Drives and handles like a dream. You wont go wrong with this car. Absolutely -0- problems or hitches. I even pull a large trailer sometimes and man, what a job it does.

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  2004 XRS 6speed 166k miles - 2004 Toyota Matrix
  By eddiem325 - March 23 - 6:24 pm

  We bought or XRS new, fully loaded except for navigation. We have driven our car all over the east coast. It has never left us stranded. My wife usually drives it and babys it. When I drive it, I drive it like I stole it. Besides replacing the a/c compressor and switch, the only thing weve had trouble with was cheap plastics and the clutch. Our 1st clutch went at 80k miles and is ready to go up again at 166k miles. Will invest in the heavy duty clutch this time. A small oil leak developed at 150k miles on the valve covers. We love our 04 matrix so much we are looking for another "03 to 05 before theyre all gone and high mileage.

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  Great Crossover None Better! - 2010 Toyota RAV4
  By BBS - March 23 - 4:56 pm

  Weve had our RAV4 Limited about four months now and get 28 to 30 mpg, its roomy, lay the seats down and carry a lot more than you can imagine. We got the limited with the JBL radio which sounds like a concert, awesome sound. The only complaint is the toyo tires they make some road noise which I plan to change to the Goodyear gas mileage saver tires. Highly recommend the RAV4 you will not be disappointed. We have the 4 cyl and it has plenty of pep. Its simply a "Blast" to Drive!

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  2004 Tundra 4WD Limited 4.7 L V8 - 2004 Toyota Tundra
  By Coach - March 23 - 2:03 pm

  The truck has excellent ride and handling characteristics and is a joy to drive. No mechanical problems at all since truck was purchased in 2004. Have used it on many occasions to tow a large pop-up camper on camping trips from Pennsylvania to Florida, Maine, Tennessee, North & South Carolina, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware, Virginia without a any issues. Handled great and had sufficient power to pull camper loaded with all equipment, food 4 kayaks and 4 bikes. Comfortably fit entire family of 4 including our golden reteiver. Would not recommend trailing anything greater than 6,000 lbs. GVWR. Mileage could be better but no worse than my previous 2001 GMC Sierra extended cab.

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  My family loves it - 2005 Toyota Corolla
  By IM - March 23 - 6:16 am

  It replaced Honda Civic 1999 and in many cases is the opposite of Honda. It has much better power and pickup at low RPM but is less comfortable and loud at high RPM. It has generous backseat but less comfortable driver seat. It is better insulated with no vibrations coming through the engine or the stick. It has higher clearance but is also sensitive to wind bursts. My kids love it and prefer much over Honda. I liked the seat comfort of the Honda and its enthusiastic noise close to the read line comparing to never-very-good driving position in Toyota and a punishing noise at high RPM.

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  MPG depends on how you drive, PERIOD! - 2006 Toyota Prius
  By Mike - March 22 - 9:26 pm

  pkg #2. 33,273 mi from 1/19/06 to 1/7/07. Avg 48 mpg first 15k mi (havent updated spreadsheet) Best tank 712 mi. Only 2 tanks under 40 mpg, 34.4 & 38.8, 1 hr in St Louis then to Pine Bluff, AR March 5th (plea 5th on speed). 70 mph gets around 45 mpg, 60 mph 50 mpg. Less mpg in winter. 20-40 mph just right (accel & coast) gets 70-100 mpg on hwy from Pine Bluff to Little Rock (best was 93mpg @ 35mi). CPU mpg reset to 0 on its own a few times, once while looking at it. Out of gas 3 times. W/6 blue bars barely made 1.7 mi to gas sta. Most gas on fillup 12.4 gal. Elec A/C & engine heat. READ MANUAL. Overall, I LOVE IT!