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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  Love it!!! - 2005 Toyota Tundra
  By Ryan - January 10 - 1:46 am

  Having previousally owned a smaller Dodge with the same enging as my new Tundra, I decided to give up the 4x4 and go with the 4 doors (maybe next time I can get both). I am very glad that I did. I love everything about this truck. It gets better gas mileage then my old Dakota with a 4.7, and it tows the boat like its not even there.

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  Best Large SUV out there - 2012 Toyota Sequoia
  By jamesoh79 - January 9 - 8:28 pm

  I really love this truck. It is a beast. 0-60 mph in about 6.6 seconds. How many SUV this size can really move that fast? I have owned many trucks. From small suv to my last truck. A 2003 GMC Yukon. The Sequoia is the best truck I have owned. It is responsive and has excellent turning radius at low speed for its size. The brakes are unbelievable. My old Yukons brakes were terrible. This Suv is perfect for my needs. Which includes storage space for my job. And towing trailers and my boat. The front seats are very comfortable. And all my passengers love the captain chairs in the back. People never fight for shotgun because of the nice seats in the back.

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  Loved! - 2000 Toyota Celica
  By Ashley - January 9 - 1:33 am

  I owned mine from 6/2000 to 10/2002. NOT one problem I traded with 62K mi. Got a great trade value! VERY fun to drive! I want another one!

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  31 years with 2 Tacomas - 2002 Toyota Tacoma
  By Ed Chacon - January 8 - 1:29 pm

  86 extra cab 14 years no major problems ...2002 4door still runs great no problems.......Bought both new and both had normal wear and tear. Change oil regularly and treat it like itll be there for 15 + years and it will.

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  The ultimate car - 1992 Toyota Camry
  By Xthegrim - January 8 - 10:00 am

  I have interacted with a lot of vehicles in my years but I am simply floored by this car. I have never seen anything so easy to work on. The car pulls 25-37 mpg with the 2.2 and a 5speed. It can get up and go and with a set of decent rims it handles better then a lot of sport cars. I picked up a brand new motorcycle just before I bought this car and I literally had trouble deciding on which to drive because this car was so awesome. I was recently t-boned in this car and I left with a few scratches and the other person left on a stretcher. I love my Camry and I will keep buying them. Car had 175k and ran so quiet I kept trying to start it when it was already running.

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  Awesome SUV - 1997 Toyota 4Runner
  By Joe - January 8 - 10:00 am

  I bought this SUV new in Sept. 1997 and it now has 150,000 miles and it is still running strong. Wife wants me to buy a new truck and I would get another 4Runner, but I am not ready to give up this truck. They just dont build them like this anymore. Quality for all manufacturers is just not the same as it was in the 90s. 13 years old and is as dependable as the newer cars in our family. I may give this truck to my daughter in a couple of years when she starts to drive and needs a car.

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  Wonderful Car - 2011 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By Kevin - January 8 - 10:00 am

  Great purchase. I have never owned a Hybrid. Very concerned with the transition b/t gas and electric. There is NO discernible transition. Fantastic. It is not going to snap your neck with its acceleration off the line. That is not why you buy this car. It is fun to drive. Does excellent on the Hwy. Feels great in construction zones or traffic as you move along smiling without wasting gas. I find myself learning how to drive it in electric as long as possible. I drive it in "stealth" mode in the neighborhood. My wife just took a 500 mile trip and made it home without fill-up. Technology is awesome. Best car purchase I have ever made! Cuts at least one gas fill-up a month.

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  Made in America unlike GM - 2016 Toyota Tacoma
  By First Tacoma - January 8 - 7:54 am

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  Good to go - 2010 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By ESF - January 8 - 5:26 am

  My husband and I commute 50 miles a day to work via tollroads and the gas mileage is great for this size of car. We traded the Prius for the Camry, loved the Prius but it was a tad small. Great on the highway and in town.

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  Hard to Find Hybrids - 2017 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
  By Karl Burrows - January 8 - 2:12 am

  Great overall ride, comfortable seating. Navigation and Bluetooth drive me nuts like every other car with these features. No CarPlay. 3rd row pretty cramped, but fine for smaller kids. Overall, hybrid mileage not what they claim and I owned a Prius for 10 years prior, so I am pretty adept at driving hybrids. Ill follow up in 10 years when i am ready to buy another!