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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  A fine truck - 2002 Toyota Tundra
  By Stan Gilbert - March 22 - 10:00 am

  Overall, a very fine quality product. Fun to drive. Very solid. Have 5500 miles on it. 4.7 V-8 is very quiet,powerful;I get 15 mpg around town (the same as my old 94 Nissan 4X4 3 litre V-6 pickup. I have TRD, but prefer a more "taunt - supple" -ride. Very roadable and stable tho in cross winds. Very quiet at highway speeds; But where my left elbow and left knee rest on door is cheap fabric. Already shows wear. Right armrest is fabric and will soil easily. Wear areas shold be vinyl. Tranny, or driveline, "bumps" on downshift coming to a stop, even 3 - 8 seconds after stop. Dealers say "they all do it". Hope its durable!

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  All Purpose Vehicle - 2003 Toyota Matrix
  By thatguy - March 22 - 10:00 am

  The Matrix meets my needs in every way imaginable. Great gas mileage for my daily 30 mile commute (each way), comfortable rear seating for my two young children, sports car-like drive and looks terrific. I owned a 2001 Focus ZX3. The Matrix is a different class of car. More room, more comfortable and more standard features.

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  Love Toyotas - 2002 Toyota Tacoma
  By 3rdToyotaBought - March 22 - 10:00 am

  Great truck....paid 12600 for the truck...for the money i gained a lot of truck and reliability..new truck

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  I love my Highlander - 2002 Toyota Highlander
  By arvida - March 22 - 10:00 am

  Fun and versatile. Fit and finish are superb. It is comfortable and I can pack all my camping and biking gear in the back. Pleanty of room. The 6 is peppy and I never have problems accelerating to pass. Only problem has been the door to the glove box rattled. The dealer found a way to insulate the door and now it is as quiet as can be. Sound system is good but not great. Also, They should redesign where the lever for the gas door is placed. It is currently on the floor and sometimes my heal catches it as I am exiting the car. It is not the cheapest in the market, but the quality and reliability are worth every cent.

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  2nd Tacoma - 2009 Toyota Tacoma
  By Wildbill - March 22 - 8:06 am

  Bought new one based on my sons experience with his 06. Bought TRD package. This is my first Toyota as I have been a very loyal Honda fan for years. This is just one great truck, well built, and fun to drive.

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  White Rider - 2009 Toyota Venza
  By TT - March 22 - 7:13 am

  I have had my car a little over a week and I couldnt be more pleased. Last year I bought a Honda Accord EX-L that I could not sell fast enough. Before the Honda I had a SAAB for 9 years that I loved. Since SAAB wagon was out of the question this time I looked for a wagon to replace it. The only thing available last year was too big for me. This crossover is perfect. The drive, the JBL, the Panoramic Roof, and over all comfort. The driver and passenger seating is roomy. I have all the features on the car except the NAV. and DVD. I have enjoyed all the features. The brakes are stiff but that is better than too sensitive. I am looking forward to low maintenance unlike the SAAB.

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  Venza Demographic - 2009 Toyota Venza
  By MichiganMike1 - March 22 - 4:16 am

  We are empty nester, baby boomers that wanted easier entry than our former Acura MDX but with creature comforts, decent performance, good reliability, upright seating, cargo capacity for our dogs and stuff and some style. The Venza suited us better than any of the alternatives we tested. We were seduced by a loaded Venza in Blizzard Pearl. The price was still less than our Acura MDX in 2001.

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  The best car yet! - 2006 Toyota Highlander
  By T.M - March 22 - 12:43 am

  The Highlander has the "get up and go" I need for the mountain roads. The interior is "homey" and comfortable. With a quiet engine, you feel as if you are floating on the road. Traction is great!! Safety features that outweigh anything else I have owned!! A prevous owner of like vehicles, the Highlander is by far the best SUV I have owned.

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  What a surprise! - 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser
  By Scott McCready - March 21 - 6:53 pm

  This vehicle drives as well as it looks. Brakes, steering and handling a car like. Ride quality is almost as good as a Lexus SUV. It has all the outward appearance of a basic SUV but is suprisingly comfortable and easy to drive. Other highlights are large interior controls, wonderful upgraded stereo system, great seats and just quality build throughout the entire vehicle. This is the kind of automobile that makes you smile every day when you drive plus you know that if you look after it you will have it for 200000 miles plus. This is pragmatism and whimsy in a package that no one comes close to competing with, all at an unbelievable price.

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  Almost 3 years under my belt....still going strong - 2009 Toyota Yaris
  By daf62757 - March 21 - 6:16 pm

  I bought mine in December 2008. Its been just under 2 years and I can report a little more since I first submitted a review. This car is so roomy for such a small car. I have rented a bunch of cars on travel and all of them all less roomy than the Yaris hatchback. I just rented a Corolla and it was so cramped compared to my Yaris. The fuel mileage is fairly consistent. I get about 39 MPG on the interstate and 31 around town. I drive 70 MPH on the interstate so getting almost 40 MPG with the A/C on is really good. The car has very little road noise. I do notice that around 70 MPH, it is a little difficult to hear conversations on my cell phone, but it isnt a problem.