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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  Good choice, only complaint was cost - 2005 Toyota Sienna
  By Thomas Mommy - February 20 - 10:00 am

  I love this van. I drove 2 dr sport cars before motherhood. I love cars, and this fits me as a woman who loves cars. As good as it gets, always comfortable driving long distance with no breakdown fears. I have drove nine days alone in Toyota models over the years with NO FEAR. I had power door replaced under warranty. Only real problem with 2005 model. I have learned to have general suggested belts, brakes, and other repairs done by local mechanic verse dealership to save on cost. Recently had the two belts for alternator and AC replaced due to loud squealing noise for two months. I believe this only happened because I moved into Mountain regions and ran the AC hard in the mountains.

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  Great overall - 2010 Toyota Prius
  By Terrano - February 20 - 10:00 am

  We got this Prius in 12/09. It really is cool how much features you get even on the base model. Yes, it does really get 50 MPG, driving normally. It rides comfortably, decently quiet, and seats are just right. Rear seats are very roomy- pleasant surprise. One quibble about it though, is that the interior rattles. Ive looked it up further, and apparently it is an early build problem- apparently solved on more recently built cars. Dont know why they cant get something like that right the first time. Otherwise, the car is great, no problems whatsoever! Traded our 08 Sonata for it, the Hyundai had many minor problems that made it just irritating to own. It didnt rattle though!

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  Fantastic Car! - 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By hblatt - February 20 - 4:03 am

  I have been driving my car for over a year now. This car still impresses me every time I drive it. The millage is incredible. I am averaging 36-37 per tank. I often hit 40 mpg on individual trips. If you are looking for a quiet car... This is it. Its smooth and quiet. No shifting. No sudden lurching. The only time you ever hear the engine is under hard acceleration. In fact, the propulsion system is so quiet I installed a backup alarm because pedestrians cant hear this car.

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  Best car I have ever had - 2002 Toyota Avalon
  By JBS - February 19 - 1:26 pm

  I drive a lot-about 100 miles a day. This is the best car I have ever had and I have 221,000. I have only replaced tires and brakes. I do change the oil regularly and have replaced the battery once. I love this car and even though I am thinking of getting a new one I will miss this one terribly. The ride is so smooth, it handles extremely well, and I have always felt safe in all kinds of weather.

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  Best car ever - 2002 Toyota Celica
  By huston - February 19 - 12:10 pm

  This car is very dependible and it also is a fun car to drive as well. it has never broken down on me and i never think it will.

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  Wonderful Vehicle - 2010 Toyota 4Runner
  By BrianB - February 19 - 11:56 am

  After owning many other vehicles and always wanting a 4Runner, I finally got one. I looked at older models over the years and found them to be lacking. Especially in headroom and interior quality. Well, all fixed. Great interior, controls and quality and now headroom. The engine makes good power, very quiet, hands free phone system works very well and the interior is cozy without being cramped. I couldnt be happier.

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  Drive them before buying and not for a few miles - 2016 Toyota Camry
  By Ron M. - February 19 - 11:45 am

  I drive a lot of new and used cars. I do swap driving for dealers. The Camry is not a perfect car but for the money you cant or would find it hard to buy something better. I have driven Camry, Hondas, Chevys, Fords, Nissan and Subaru. I find that the driving experience is better in a Camry for the comfort, and reliability amongst other things. The only ride I like as much is the Subaru because of the AWD. When buying a car, my best advice is to find the one you think you like most and then rent is for a few days to verify your choice. You will find many things you like and dislike about cars, but you wont find a superior one to the Camry in an equal price range.

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  Just As I Expected - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By RLove - February 19 - 2:00 am

  This is our 7th Toyota and no surprises. Solid, high quality, comfortable and quiet. I get positive comments each day on the exterior/interior design. "Camrys have come a long way" is the typical response. I am please with all attributes of the vehicle. I am a little disappointed with the mileage but I do have a tendency to drive more aggressive in the model. I traded my 2003 RAV and have not doubted myself since. Nice job Toyota.

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  Need a new car? This is it! - 2006 Toyota Prius
  By Les - February 18 - 8:10 am

  Ive owned this car since Jan 06. Its been perfect from the day I brought it home. Pro: -Its well built and fun to drive. -Gas mileage is great... city/highway average is 50mpg. -Plenty of leg room, storage space. -Much bigger on the inside than it appears. -Comfortable on short and long drives. -Navigation system works well. Con: -Design-wise, its a bit of an ugly duckling. This could be improved if the available color choices were a bit brighter and startling. -Light and wiper controls would be easier to use if they were not so obscured by the steering wheel. -Glare from the mid-dash control screen can be bothersome when the sun is shining thru the rear window.

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  A Pleasure to Own - 2015 Toyota Corolla
  By gski87 - February 18 - 5:09 am

  I bought the Corolla after looking for a car I know would last for years, that would look great, and have all the little features I wanted. It looks great inside and out and its a lot of fun to drive. I honestly love the CVT engine--I try my best to get the most MPG I can get. Im at 42.7 MPG on my current tank (I drive 80% highway) so Im not sure where the other reviewer was coming from.