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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  02 sr5 trd v8 - 2002 Toyota Tundra
  By Lauferdm - April 24 - 10:00 am

  GREAT TRUCK!!! this is my 4th toy truck since 88 and they have all been great. I sell cars so i test drive many and the big3 has NOTHING on the tundra! I replaced the stock 2 1/4 inch pipe with a 3 inch and a magnaflow muffler WOW GREAT SOUND!!!! also k&n drop in filter. 10% more horse i assume (25)

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  OUTSTANDING VEHICLE !!!!!!!!!!!! - 2003 Toyota Avalon
  By warren loewe - April 24 - 10:00 am

  AFTER HAVE A MAXIMA (7YRS) & PONTIAC GRAND PRIX GT (2YRS) I FIND THIS CAR TO BE SUPERIOR IN EVERY WAY. MAXIMA WAS A GREAT CAR, BUT I FEEL NISSAN HAS FORGOTTEN ABOUT RIDE, COMFORT AND INTERIOR LOOKS FOR HORSEPOWER. I FEEL THE PONTIAC IS THE BEST OF THE GM LOT AND WAS A VERY GOOD CAR BUT THE ONLY REASON I BOUGHT THE PONTIAC BECAUSE OF THE GM CARD REBATE I HAD TO USE UP.I ALSO HAD A GREAT DEALER IN ARLINGTON TO WORK WITH.

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  Wow! - 2003 Toyota Avalon
  By Que - April 24 - 10:00 am

  The 2003 Avalon XLS is my first Toyota after 13 straight years of driving an Accord and I couldnt be happier with my choice. The ride is quiet and superb. Acceleration is smooth and powerful, with a truly superior stereo. Heads turn everywhere I go, and with good reason...its beautiful!

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  RAV 4 Eval - 2003 Toyota RAV4
  By bravoair - April 24 - 10:00 am

  Funky design; looks good, fun to drive.

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  Undecided - 2003 Toyota Corolla
  By giraffe lady - April 24 - 10:00 am

  I bought my 2003 Corolla LE in June of this year and still havent decided if it was the right decision. The handling is very poor on the highway and on windy days. There is a problem in the delay of the acceleration of the gas pedal. Not enough leg room on the drivers side. Im short and my knees almost touch the dash. Visor hits mirror even with moving it over. Poor visibility out rear view mirror due to the headrests. It may get great gas mileage and is very sharp looking, but I have to question the safety aspects of this vehicle with the confined space on the drivers side.

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  I Dont Know What To Expect - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By SE 2007 - April 24 - 12:06 am

  I have had my 07 camry SE 4cyl. for almost a year now with 23000 miles on and I hate the motor. No power, jumpy as hell when accelerating, and feels like the car stalls when shifting. Thats the only way I can explain it. I have had it in twice and they say they reprogram the computer but it never helps. Gas mileage stinks too but it may be better if they could figure out the engine problems. The interior is cheap!! The plastics easily scratch on all the panels in the car. My drivers seat is starting to wear and my paint has a bunch of rust spots all over it. The spots will buff out under warranty but why should I have to deal with it. I will send pictures of these problems to anyone

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  BAD TOYOTAS - 2015 Toyota Sienna
  By MIKE - April 23 - 8:28 pm

  DON T BUY TOYOTA

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  I love my new Yaris - 2007 Toyota Yaris
  By lbstrgrl1 - April 23 - 1:26 am

  This car has it all... looks, performance, economy. When I showed my friends and coworkers they couldnt believe it was an economy car... sure doesnt look like one. Great purchase all around.

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  I love my FJ Crusier - 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser
  By rwd - April 22 - 8:36 pm

  Lot of power for a 6cy., out pulled a CJ7 when a full size ford p/up was stuck in suggar sand @ Pensacola Bch. CJ7 could not budge it she came right out for me

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  Excellent Car for the Money - 2006 Toyota RAV4
  By lcmsgirl - April 22 - 3:06 pm

  This SUV has been a dream to own so far. I love having all the extra space when I am haulling things or kids around.