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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  Sulfer Smell - 2002 Toyota Camry
  By first time owner - April 22 - 2:06 pm

  I purchased a V6 2002 Camry LE. Every now and again I get this really bad sulfer smell. Has anyone else had this problem? I have taken it back several times but they cant seem to find anything wrong. If anyone has any information, please e-mail me at jstinfo@aol.com. Other than that and a rear defroster that works slooow.. the car rides great.

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  My first Toyota / First hybrid / - 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By ramzk - April 22 - 2:03 am

  Have had my new Camry hybrid for three weeks now and absolutely love it. I have driven a Lexus LS 400 for the past 14 years. The fit and finish is excellent on this car and I really like the hybrid system. I have ran two tanks of gas so far and have averaged 38 mpg overall in mixed city and highway driving in Atlanta. It is amazing how often you can run strictly on the battery or a mix of very little foot on the gas and battery to increase your mpg. As you pull up to every light or slow way down the engine shuts off and the car is totally quiet. A small touch to the accelerator the engine fires up seamlessly and off you go. The car is extremely comfortable.

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  Very Average Car for 2015! - 2015 Toyota Camry
  By Mauri - April 21 - 6:23 pm

  For a 2015, I am surprised to see how basic this car is, with lots of road noise to not very good MPG on a 4 Cylinder engine. Only thing going for this car is the warranty and maintenance for 3 years.. that is it. For a big purchase, consider something else.

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  one of the last old school suvs - 2012 Toyota 4Runner
  By shaftymcgee7 - April 21 - 2:35 pm

  had 4runner for almost 4k miles so far and am very impressed overall, averaging about 20 mpg, this is a truck so dont expect it to ride like a car on the pavement but handles off-road very well i live in alaska and our last winter we got over 12ft of snow didnt even notice it with 4runner in 4wd. seats are comfortable and like the driving position and roominess of the cabin and overall has a very old school feel to it with lot of functional new high tech stuff thrown in. my only real gripe with it is poor paint quality scratches easy and no cross bars or running boards included in a 35k vehicle is disapointing, 4runner is built to get you anywhere you need to go anytime..

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  2007 Toyota Prius - 2007 Toyota Prius
  By Gerry E. - April 21 - 1:23 pm

  I have had my 2007 Prius since 2-28-07 and I am reasonably pleased with it. I have tried the pulse and glide method for more fuel economy and they work pretty well. My Prius is Barcelona Red and the paint is nice but chips very easily. I have gotten up to 53 M.P.G. using the Pulse and Glide method. It generally gets 50-52 M.P.G. between 65-75 on the highway during temperatures of 45-75F degrees. It seems that when the temperature dips so does the mileage to around 47M.P.G. in the colder months.

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  RAV4 after one year - 2007 Toyota RAV4
  By carguy - April 21 - 1:06 pm

  Audible beeps when merely locking/unlocking doors is EXTREMELY annoying. It sounds like car thief alarm. Gas mileage is horrible, not even getting the minimum. No leg room for driver (Im 61") with the electronic seat.

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  Great car... wave to the gas pumps - 2003 Toyota Prius
  By icvalue - April 21 - 4:56 am

  Outstanding car overall, Great gas mileage (46 avg.). Very reliable car. Better acceleration than most small cars and it handles very well. Much roomier than I expected.

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  Good value for the price - 2012 Toyota Camry
  By tlchouston - April 21 - 4:00 am

  Enough power to merge with traffic at freeway entrances. Engine sound minimal at most conditions and still tolerable at full throttle. However, road noises unacceptable to me on freeways 290 and 59 in Houston. Perhaps the almost 200lbs and $2000 MSRP drops came from the reduction of sound isolation/insulation materials and labor. Manual adjustable passenger front side uncomfortable, unlike the 8-way power adjustable driver one. Rear speakers are really flimsy with tiny magnets (from the $1000 navigation upgrade package).

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  Avalon 07 - 2007 Toyota Avalon
  By maybeuknome@charter. - April 21 - 3:10 am

  My wife and I love this car. It handles very well in city and highway driving. This car has get up and go when you need the power or just cruise around, very quite even at high speed on the highway.

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  Luxury feel with great value - 2010 Toyota Venza
  By scenic26 - April 20 - 9:43 pm

  After purchasing my 10 Venza V-6 base, I read several comments and reviews trashing winter driving. I have since experienced one of the worst winters in the NY area, and had more than 35 inches of snow in three weeks. I have to say that my Venza handled it with ease. I mean NO PROBLEMS AT ALL. I felt confident, and the Venza went through it all with ease on local streets and highways back and forth to work. Great styling, comfy ride, although a bit hard and noisy when going over imperfections on the road because of the low profile tires. I feel good driving such a stylish car, at such a reasonable price. I enjoy driving it as much as my mercedes benz.