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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  My 4 wheel Safety machine - 2003 Toyota 4Runner
  By Pacific Northwest - May 18 - 10:00 am

  Have loved this truck from moment one off the lot. It accelerates wonderfully, great sound system, every air bag thats out there, and has the toyota reliability that we require. This is my 3rd generation 4 Runner, and by far the best. I could only hope for a hybrid version of this best in a tuxedo!

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  The best - 2004 Toyota Tacoma
  By fstedee - May 18 - 10:00 am

  My 2nd prerunner and both have been great. Move the clock and reduce the wind noise. I have owned Toyotas since 1962 and will buy more if needed.A solid truck that performs as a truck is suppose to.

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  Lots of Value for the Money - 2004 Toyota Corolla
  By MusicMan - May 18 - 10:00 am

  I am enjoying my 04 Corolla LE immensely. It rides smoothly, quietly, and has more than sufficient power to merge and keep up with highway traffic. The 6-speaker AM/FM/CD/Cassette audio system sounds marvelous. I also got ACSO door sill plates, carpeted trunk and floor mats,all-weather package, side air bags, cruise control. $15.5K plus taxes/plates The mileage has been improving. We use the A/C a lot here during the Midwest summers, and in mixed driving my best mileage has been about 34 miles to the gallon. With 4200 miles on the vehicle, I expect that figure to improve in the next few months.

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  After ONE year of driving my 2004.... - 2004 Toyota Sienna
  By NELSONT - May 18 - 10:00 am

  I must say its been a good year besides the fuel tank recall and a seatbelt issue on the first row of seats as the clasp at the top of it keeps breaking. To back up in this beautiful van is quite challenging because your view is non existent UNLESS you have the sensor things on the XLE model. The rear hatch is too heavy. OVERALL I LOVE THIS VAN! Just some improvements that need to be made or just made standard will improve it 100%!

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  Happy Camper! - 2016 Toyota Camry
  By Danielle Smith - May 18 - 3:36 am

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  Beware if you go out of town - 2010 Toyota Prius
  By jood - May 17 - 11:03 am

  We went away for l2 days. Car stone dead when we came home. Couldnt even get into the car. Called AAA and they charged it. Drove to local dealership and also called Toyota. Have learned that if you leave the car for more than 10 days you have to go thru an elaborate process to unhook the battery, use the emergency key to get into the vehicle and then get it jump started. Where? at the airport parking lot? Toyota says we should have known this. It is not in the manual. A real drawback. Also seats not comfortable.

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  Toyota trucks cant be beat - 2004 Toyota Tacoma
  By Uncle Dan - May 17 - 8:33 am

  I sold my beloved 88 Toyota extended cab truck to buy this one. That was the most reliable vehicle Ive ever owned and I hope the Tacoma holds up as well. After 11,000 miles, no problems at all. This is a well designed and laid out small truck. I purchased it through Edmunds internet referral service and it was simple. I entered the options I wanted and the next day I got a call from North Hollywood Toyota. They had the exact vehicle I wanted in stock and quoted a price that was 10% under sticker. I may have saved more with a lot of calls, but it wasnt worth it. I told em Id be out to pick it up and I was in and out of the dealer in less than an hour. Simple.

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  I love my car - 2003 Toyota RAV4
  By Ravfan4life - May 17 - 2:53 am

  I have not had any problems with my lovely RAV since I drove it off the floor. I can use it to haul anything and it is comfortable and super fun to drive. It is a little light on the ice, but it handles Minnesota winters like a trooper.

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  you owe it to yourself - 2009 Toyota Venza
  By Jim - May 16 - 10:56 pm

  We are happy with our 2009 Venza. to this point the quality is outstanding. Rides and drives like a vehicle costing 50k. How is it said? You can pay more. But, you wont get more. The only items Toyota should consider is illuminating the homelink buttons along with the window lock button. The leather seats are very nice. However, clothing dye is a problem. It will not come off the leather. The leather seems to be overly susceptible to deterioration through normal wear.Not easy to keep clean or clean. They need to look at the leather stock they are using.

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  Be Realistic, Unbelievable Value - 2012 Toyota Prius
  By bryant1981 - May 16 - 10:22 pm

  We traded our loaded 2007 Lexus RX350 for the 2012 Prius, I knew it was smart for us but worried wed be too sensitive to the luxury adjustment-we werent, the Prius is a much nicer car than most people think. Barcelona Red Metallic over Tan is a great color combo! Smooth & quiet, I drive for Uber & Lyft and passengers are always pleasantly surprised at the space and road manners. Swap the OEM Goodyear tires for Michelins and all is complete. We are getting between 48 and 59 MPG varying on speed/road conditions/passenger Weight. No regrets, wont drive anything but a Hybrid, we save so much money and sacrifice nothing on comfort. Its sad that the Prius is often spoken of so negatively