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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  Whats Not to Love? - 2004 Toyota Sienna
  By KT - February 28 - 10:00 am

  Turning radius is great. Seat configurations are astounding! Back split hide-away seat is so much easier to move than the Honda. I dont have one complaint--its a big van that drives like a sedan!

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  INITIAL REVIEW - 2009 Toyota Tacoma
  By teejay1 - February 28 - 1:33 am

  i have had the vehicle for about a month now. i bought it used from carmax with 20k miles on it one owner. so far i really like the truck. it rides way better than my 2004 Dakota and the safety features are a real plus. i have dogs so i really like the back up camera feature. i think the brakes are very responsive and the seats feel really nice on a long trip!! the 4.0 V-6 is strong and will set you back in your seat if you punch it. the controls are all laid out well and i love the steering wheel radio controls. what is to be seen is the reliability??? i like to keep my vehicles for well over 200k so i will get back@ say 50k!!

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  awesome - 2007 Toyota RAV4
  By scott - February 27 - 11:23 pm

  awesome power ride and dependability awesome vehicle awesome vehicle so comfortable and easy to drive with awesome power and response just an awesome vehicle

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  Great Fit/Great Choice - 2009 Toyota Corolla
  By Dawn - February 27 - 10:50 pm

  Had been looking at buying a Ford TX, but mpg wasnt any better than my 16 yr. old car. Had owned a Corolla 10 years earlier and decided to try again. Test drove a S model and knew immediately this was the car for me! Getting 29-30 city/35 highway so far- only/2700 miles on car. Have recd lots of compliments on the style, interior and color (metallic charcoal). Had windows tinted which not only saves on fade on the black interior, but also adds to the sleek exterior. Steering a bit too nimble at times. Had read reviews about clock position, so expected this minor inconvenience. A bit hard to see when reversing - maybe backup sensors as option in future? Best decision ever made!

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  Best car Toyota made ever - 2002 Toyota Camry
  By soarer1 - February 27 - 11:52 am

  Bought Camry 2002 in 2009 with 229.000 km on odometer. Now it has 357.000!! One ignition coil was replaced and starter (it costs me $300 together). I cannot believe... Moreover, car still running perfect. Sometimes I thinking about something more fresh... but not sure Toyota follows their good traditions. My car was made in Japan.

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  Excellent car - 1999 Toyota Avalon
  By rosignol - February 27 - 6:20 am

  Purchased with ~98,000 miles on it, put ~20,000 more on it over two years. In that time, I had no mechanical problems with it at all- the car might as well have been new. Its not the most exciting car to drive- I nicknamed mine the boringmobile. Pros: extremely reliable, good mileage, Cons: suspension feels a little mushy and the handling is only adequate. But its a sedan, not a sports car, so thats okay. Unfortunately, the car was totaled in a collision with a Chevy Tahoe. The Toyota engineering team does good work, I was not injured (nor was anyone in the Tahoe). I start looking for another Avalon this weekend.

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  My first car and I absolutely love it! - 1997 Toyota Celica
  By stef - February 27 - 12:20 am

  This car was designed and built for rally. If you know rally, you know the cars have to be quick, reliable and handle amazingly to win, and the celica is just that. Performance is rated down simply because a better engine exists. And I only rated it down for fuel economy and fun to drive because mine is an automatic. It only gets about 250 mi to the tank where a manual can get over 400. and manuals are just naturally more fun to drive.

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  What a great SUV - 2008 Toyota Highlander
  By rtisme - February 27 - 12:13 am

  Had to replace my Ford Explorer after a drunk driver took it out. Was going to downsize to a Rav-4 6 cylinder. Compared Highlander and was sold on it. For basically the same cost got much more. 2 row seating comes with many options, converts to bench type seating, can have a table in between the seats or converts to captains seats. Kids love their seating area.

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  Toyota does it again - 2005 Toyota Avalon
  By cvg - February 26 - 7:56 pm

  Had to wait 60 days for the Limited Blue Mirage color. I think things are starting to loosen up after the initial backlog. Coming from a BMW 7 series intro in 2002, I was concerned that the new Avalon would have many glitches in a new model release. That has not happened at all and after 2 months of driving the car has been perfect. Fit and finish have been outstanding. The factory installed XM satellite radio has been wonderful with the trunk mounted antenna, an unfortunate afterthought and not well integrated into the design. Its a little cumbersome to get outside air temp. Should be visible at all times. Stereo great and car really quiet to drive. I think it has more features than Lexus.

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  Corolla creams the competition - 2017 Toyota Corolla
  By steve - February 26 - 7:32 pm

  Smooth , Quiet, Safe and Reliable for a low priced car...Lowest price top safety pick plus around....Car rocks for price after discount and rebates