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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  Best car I have ever owned - 2000 Toyota 4Runner
  By Ivan - March 12 - 7:53 am

  6 years old and 69K miles with no problems. Great car, powerful and reliable. very roomy. All I had to do was change the tires and replace a lightbulb. This car will run forever.

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  Awesome - 2004 Toyota Prius
  By HECTOR GARCES - March 12 - 5:13 am

  My wife and I really love our 2004 Prius. Toyota Prius is the best car I have ever owned, air conditioning runs on the battery which in turn is charged by driving and braking. Mileage has been consistent at 50 mpg. Plenty of room and storage. Excellent quality. Excellent handling. The quality of these cars is impressive by itself, but the clean emissions make it outstanding. Great car! Highly recommended. Nothing bad to say. Good performance, lots of torque going up hills

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  Love It! - 2004 Toyota Corolla
  By Tony Reed - March 11 - 10:36 pm

  I highly recommend this car! Looks cute, but still kinda conservative.... GREAT Toyota reliability... great drive.. great, sturdy feel.. and the gas mileage!!! WOW! I get gas.. like.. about once a month! I paid about $14,500 for it, I think.

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  Blown away by a used car - 2003 Toyota 4Runner
  By graves2014 - March 11 - 7:51 pm

  I was a long time BMW owner. Ive had at least 4 over the past two decades, but I really liked my friends 4Runner. I couldnt afford a new one, so I looked for a used one. Not an easy task. There are just not that many for sale. I can see why. ...My 03 V8 4runner is faster than my BMW. Its still very sharp inside and out. The extra utility was such a bonus. 4 guys and our golf clubs..? No problem. Its a whole different dynamic. I love it. Even with a lot more miles than I was originally comfortable with purchasing, after taking to my mechanic. I have total confidence in it. Its just a quality SUV. I recommend one to anybody. Paddleboard next? why not

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  LuvIt - 2003 Toyota Echo
  By tiki - March 11 - 7:00 am

  I was skeptical of how small this car looked until I got inside and test drove it. It is much more spacious than it looks. Gas mileage is great! I fill up about once a week for about $20. I got used to the odometer in the center dash. Its easier to keep your eye on it and on the road at the same time. I hope to keep this car for a long time. It even drives well in the snow. Its a great first new car!

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  FJ Rocks - 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser
  By azjj - March 11 - 12:20 am

  Traded my 3rd Jeep (last one was a 2002 Liberty Sport w/59K miles) on the FJ less then a month ago and while I’m only 500 miles into this vehicle, I honestly believe I’ve never had a more fun to drive “jeep.” And yes, I call this a jeep (lower case) instead of FJ and my wife keeps correcting me, but this is the off road rig DC should have built. One outrageous weekend adventure on some gnarly ATV trails located in the George Washington and Jefferson NF made me a true believer.

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  Dont be scared off - 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser
  By steve - March 10 - 1:40 pm

  As with any vehicle purchase, I did a ton of homework on potential purchase options. To be honest, I was mostly scared off the FJ before test driving due to all the comments about poor visibility, impractical 3rd doors and limited 2nd row seating, soft glass, etc. Im beginning to wonder if these people actually have driven the FJ. For starters, if you adjust the mirrors properly (and as spelled out in the manual), there is no blind spot issue. I have a 3 year old, and the car seat fits fine with plenty of room to get him in and out. The cabin is absolutely spacious. Get the manual tranny if you can find one. Youll pay more in gas, but its worth the fun in driving.

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  Im Thrilled - 2005 Toyota Avalon
  By Joe Solomon - March 10 - 1:26 pm

  This is the best sedan Ive ever dirven... Total comfort and very quiet. Performs like a big cat when asked... Fast for anything especially a six.

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  Rocket Sled !! - 2005 Toyota RAV4
  By Tom - March 10 - 10:43 am

  I have both the Rav2003 and 2005, the 2005 has the new 2.4 engine and it really rocks. This SUV its really fun to drive. Soo nimble!

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  awesome - 2002 Toyota Tacoma
  By kasparov - March 10 - 6:16 am

  I love it, i knew toyota will deliver, its a 5 stars truck