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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  Solara review - 2004 Toyota Camry Solara
  By gshep33 - May 13 - 10:00 am

  The Solara is fun to drive and gets great gas mileage. The only down side to the car is the back side windows. They are very small, making them hard to see out of.

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  Great vehicle! - 2005 Toyota 4Runner
  By REFC - May 13 - 10:00 am

  We had looked at several SUVs, and the 4Runner had everything we wanted along with a great re-sale value. We got the running boards, the roof rack, the moon roof, the DVD entertainment system. Everything I wanted or that was important to me was available. A great car and so much fun to drive! It looks good to, I would recommend it to anyone and everyone! I love my Toyota 4Runner!

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  Chevy/Benz Fan, But Toyota=#1! - 2005 Toyota 4Runner
  By MemphisBenz - May 13 - 10:00 am

  Toyota offers the best of everything, for the best price. Hence, value! You get performance, safety, economy, extras, and downright bulletproof reliability in the quality of the car. Too much to list! I like the fact that this car is built in Japan (95%). Toyota is efficient, and their employees are hard working and dedicated, so work tends to be superior to American-made autos. Ive owned Mercedes and Chevrolet, but Toyota has the competition beaten decisively. The runner up in my decision was the Chevy Silverado, but it was more $, and older technology, not to mention, bad gas mileage. Dont buy anything till you test drive the 4Runner!!!

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  Awesome MiniVan - 2005 Toyota Sienna
  By DutchIrishCouple - May 13 - 10:00 am

  Purchased this vehicle for my wife. We both love it. Excellent quality, ride and comfort. Drove from LA Area to Oregon and back. Wonderful drive. Great fuel economy on the highway. Mixed fuel economy in the city.

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  02 Camry....not too thrilling - 2002 Toyota Camry
  By Goob - May 13 - 10:00 am

  We purchased the 02 Camry to replace the 96 which started to have problems and was getting older. We typically keep our cars until around 100k. I always go with a used car off a lease as we save big $$. We loved the 96 and it drove so nice and smooth, it was no thought to look at another make as my wife really liked it. The quality of the 02 is no way as good as the 96. The materials on the inside are cheap feeling and already show wear after 25k miles of use. We take very good care of our cars so it is not from abuse. the brakes are AWFUL. Toyota shoule be ashamed of itself.

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  ? - 2005 Toyota Corolla
  By Lenny Conticelli - May 13 - 10:00 am

  Bought my 2003 Corolla in April 2003. I love this car. Gas mileage is fantastic, the style is rich looking, great in snow.

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  Its Just Great - 2006 Toyota Camry Solara
  By gary frost - May 13 - 6:16 am

  Have owned this vehicle for a couple of months, but were thrilled with it! A hot rod its not, but it has very good power, and corners and handles very well. Plus, the seating and stereo are fantastic, and the fit and finish of this car is well above average.

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  Very disappointing quality - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By vizyo - May 13 - 4:50 am

  I wish I could say good things about my camry. A lot of defects that I still do not understand how my car passed the quality inspection when it was manufactured. - Trunk was not closing. It was touching the bumper. It also peeled off the paint. Toyota Dealer put touch- ups on the bumper when my car was only 3 weeks old. It is ridicules. - Heater fan was not turning off. It was running on all the time driving me crazy. - Glove box was defective and not closing well. They took almost the whole dashboard down to fix it in the service but still not okay. - Paint on the bumpers is just cosmetic with very little layer. Little flies have chipped the paint of the front bumper everywhere.

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  Just OK - 2009 Toyota Tacoma
  By Just OK - May 13 - 3:56 am

  Because of the financial issues of the big three and the historical reliability success of the Toyotas, I decided to purchase the 2009 TRD Taco. Although the truck seems to perform fairly well, the transmission issues are really annoying. Whats even more annoying is that Toyota claims that this is not a problem and is that it is performing as designed. Although the truck has some great features, it also has some flaws. I am now concerned with the overall reliability and wish I would have purchased a Ford. Having said that, I am pleased that it can tow a trailer with four motorcycles and carry four adults rather effortlessly in the mountains of Colorado.

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  2005 Toyota Tacoma - 2005 Toyota Tacoma
  By Carl Miller - May 13 - 3:23 am

  Soild, smooth, quiet, great power, toyota quality, inside and outside. MPG is good-21 to 22. Great seat and ride comfort. Great sound system. Have not had any problems at all and this is the second toyota we have owned.