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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  Great SUV for the money - 2005 Toyota 4Runner
  By rdurbin - May 26 - 5:56 pm

  I love this suv. It has a smooth ride and looks great. The seats fold down easily and the interior is functional as well as great looking. The MPG is of course what you expect with an SUV about 20 MPG but it makes up for it with the nice features and smooth ride. The interior has numerous well positioned recepticles for all sorts of items ranging from drinks to sunglasses. The rear let down window makes loading smaller items a breeze. I would highly reccommend the vehicle.

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  Not the Toyota I Expected - 2005 Toyota Avalon
  By mikeecee - May 26 - 2:55 pm

  Our Avalon was purchased w/ about 90,000 miles...we took it for a short test drive it was great! HOWEVA, when driving on longer trips, both passenger and driver seats become uncomfortable, to the point of numb legs. After about a year of ownership, during an oil change, the technician informed me there was a lot of oil on the engine. We took it to the dealer, and a crankshaft gasket had failed (they said it is a freak thing). Most expensive repair ever. Otherwise, it has been fairly reliable

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  Camry XLE V6 is fine but lacks features - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By Camry Cat - May 26 - 5:50 am

  Very quiet riding. Smart key is a great feature. Power lumbar is a nice touch for driver. Car is a big improvement over previously owned 2000 Camry XLE, particularly in handling and performance. Gas mileage on recent long trip was a disappointing 28-29 mpg. My overall impression is that Toyota left a lot of features off of the 2007 Camry that are available on its competitors models, such as the Passat. Toyota by design wants to force you to consider the Avalon. Toyaota doesnt seem to get it that some people are willing to pay for those features on a 189" vehicle without getting a car as big as an Avalon.

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  Fun ride - 2001 Toyota 4Runner
  By Nick - May 26 - 4:30 am

  Bought this vehicle with 100000 miles on it, not a rattle, or squeak no fluid leaks, no visible smoke or vapors, great gas mileage 21 mpg 90 per cent highway driving, off road fun and safe, handles snow/ice/wet conditions excellent, quiet and comfortable, a/c excellent (live in desert), heater same, tows my boat and trailer, my motorcycle and trailer,and my toy hauler travel trailer with no effort, hardly know anything is behind me. Need a bigger tow vehicle, but I love my Toyota so much, I will be happy with smaller toys just so I can keep my 4runner. Great piece of mechanical engineering and it is a matter of pride in ownership.

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  Prius makes it fun to drive again! - 2005 Toyota Prius
  By COPhil - May 26 - 2:06 am

  My Prius is just over a year old and it is the first car that Ive owned in the last 20 years that has actually been fun to drive. Ive always had big cars, (Detroit Iron) for the comfort but we have just completed a four thousand mile motor trip and the Prius was more comfortable than my Chysler LHS or Buick Park Avenue and at 56 mpg. The car looks small from the outside but has plenty of head and leg room and the seats sit high so that you can see whats going on around the vehicle. I really enjoy this car unlike my last several vehicles that were just transportation.

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  TRD Tacoma Double Cab SB - 2006 Toyota Tacoma
  By NJNUT - May 25 - 9:06 pm

  I have owned several trucks and this is by far the best I owned. I have driven it long on long trips and it is comfortable to drive. The truck feels very solid on the road, much more car like than the past without being a car. I like trucks and didnt want to own a car. The 4 door models give quite a bit of leg room not at all like the older double cabs. Toyotas build quality is the bench mark of the industry. The 4.0 liter V-6 is like a n8 with better gas ratings. 4X4 TRD package is nice and the 4x4 is one of the best I owned. Driving through the tough beach sand is easy.

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  perfect for my purposes - 1998 Toyota Tacoma
  By jim scott - May 25 - 8:20 pm

  Reliable, economical, and nice looking; its all I might ask from a little truck, and Im a little disappointed Toyota has "sexed it up" with the 2005 model year. Mine has 90000 miles on it and still has my complete confidence. Only gripe? 42 foot turning circle makes some U turns problematic.

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  My First Car - 2005 Toyota Camry
  By Ellie - May 25 - 5:00 pm

  This car is my very first car. Im absolutely in love with my Camry. It has great gas mileage and I got the convenience B package (sunroof and 6 CD disc changer). It really is a great car, beautiful on the outside and so comfortable on the inside. I would recommend this car to anyone, its so well made for the price and worth it.

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  Tried em all - 2002 Toyota Avalon
  By toyota again - May 25 - 7:46 am

  This Avalon is the nicest ride I ever felt. Reliable, durable, just cant be beat.

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  OH WHAT A FEELING - 1997 Toyota Avalon
  By LOSMANKY - May 25 - 2:00 am

  MY WIFE HAS HAD HER 97 AVALON XLS FOR 3 YEARS NOW. WE ARE JUST AS HAPPY TODAY AS WE WERE THE DAY WE BAUGHT IT. I LOVE JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING ABOUT THE CAR EXCEPT FOR SOME OF THE INTERIOR FEATURES THAT ARE ON THE NEW BODY STYLE, LIKE REAR CUP HOLDERS. ANOTHER THING MORE PERFORMANCE & COSMETIC UPGRADES AVAILABLE. OTHER THAN THE FEW NICK PICK THINGS I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS CAR AND WILL BUY ANOTHER WHEN THAT TIME COMES, IT HAS 112,000 RELATIVELY TROUBLE FREE MILES ON HER. THE ONLY PROBLEM LIKE MANY 97S IS RACK & PINION PROBLEM & STRUT BRACE, OTHER THAN THAT TOTAL TOYOTA QUALITY.