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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  Even Better - 2005 Toyota Avalon
  By Chuck - February 10 - 11:06 pm

  This is my third Avalon. They get better every time. I thought the 2000 was comparable to a Lexus. The 2005 Limited IS the top of line Lexus-for $20,000 less.

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  Great SUV! - 2002 Toyota Sequoia
  By Satisfied Customer - February 10 - 8:33 am

  Fun to drive, roomy, and easy to handle.

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  2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Ltd. - 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
  By toyohh08 - February 10 - 6:56 am

  We bought a 2008 HH AWD (iced amethyst mica) fully loaded except for navi. We are very happy with it! Fun to drive, good performance and comfort. We love this car.Our average mpg is about 24-27 mpg, I think it will improve this summer. Our worst mpg was 22 mpg, best was 28 mpg.

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  Like a Lexus - 2007 Toyota Camry Solara
  By Frank - February 10 - 6:56 am

  I have owned over 7 toyotas. This one is one of the best yet. It is a good looking, comfortable, fun car to drive. It resembles the Lexus SC 400 but much roomier. I have owned it since June (one of the first off the line). Ive got just over 3000 miles on it and have not been back to the dealer for a single problem, perfect from day one. I am very satisfied thus far and happy I purchased it.

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  Awesome truck - 2002 Toyota Sequoia
  By Elizabeth - February 10 - 3:50 am

  I bought this used at 85,000 miles, always looked at the Sequoia from afar, never thought I would own one, bought it used at a great price and have been thrilled ever since! Comfy, powerful, stylish, CD speaker system is the bomb and the sunroof is huge, you almost think its a convertible! Lots of room and I feel really safe in it, the curtain airbags were a plus for me and my kids. The gas mileage stinks, but what do you expect in an 8 cylinder?? Its an awesome truck!

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  I love this car! - 2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By applegator - February 10 - 2:47 am

  This is my second Camry Hybrid, my first was a 2008. The ride is smooth, seats are very comfortable and MPG has been improved since 2008! Since this is our commuting vehicle this is very important to us. The trunk is bigger now as well! I love the back up camera which is new.

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  2008 Corolla S - 2008 Toyota Corolla
  By JP - February 10 - 1:26 am

  Lets see, I traded in my 2005 Toyota Matrix XRS 6 speed manual for a 2008 Toyota Corolla S automatic. First thing I noticed was how smooth the ride was. Interior materials are excellent...and the exterior styling was very well done with the ground effects, and spoiler. The white faced gauges are something I really like...very sporty but also very useful day or night time. I see they did away with those in the 2009 model. Overall, very pricey for a small car but hey you get what you pay for. I think the Corolla is worth it. Test drive it...appreciate it for what it is...a small fuel efficient vehicle that has some nice sporty accents and a bullet proof engine.

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  Prius - luxury comparable to BMW - 2005 Toyota Prius
  By Steve Boyd - February 9 - 5:06 am

  40k miles thus far. No mechanical problems whatsoever. 44 to 47 MPG in the winter, and 49 to 51 in the summer. I have package 6. I think this car compares more to a BMW rather than the cheaper economy cars that we hear the media make comparisons to when speaking of the overall cost of the vehicle. This is the most luxurious car Ive owned but Im still waiting for a plug-in PHEV. Technology is there for a Prius that gets 100 to 200 mpg, but Toyota has spent a ton of money on marketing campaign for this no plug-in hybrid. GMC claims it will release its own plug-in with mileage in this range in 2010. When that happens, Ill drop my Prius like a ton of bricks. Until then, GO PRIUS!

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  A Good Year for a Toyota Corolla - 1998 Toyota Corolla
  By DiButterfly2003 - February 9 - 2:00 am

  Purchased in 1998 and still seeing the model being driven by others, car has been very reliable and met my travel needs. Design wise it is ho-hum but mileage wise it is excellent. A tank of gas fuels about 300-320 miles - more if you have the Westerlies behind you. Although a sports car fan at heart, the car is my 4th Toyota and it has served me well.

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  A Super Car - 2004 Toyota Prius
  By Kas - February 9 - 2:00 am

  4000 miles and going strong. 55 mpg on interstate trip. Great in the snow. The way you drive this car will determine your mileage. I average between 44 and 55 mpg. in all around driving. Comfortable with better than expected pick up. No trouble going up hills or keeping up with interstae traffic.