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:

• 

  Car of the century - 1999 Toyota Corolla
  By dorell - February 12 - 5:12 pm

  Im happy with Corolla I got, because is very reliable, no ifs and buts about it. Also is excellent in gas mileage department, especially for the size of the car. Im a tall guy, and I fit inside, just enough to be happy with it. A little smaller, and it would be a different opinion, and Im 6"1. Another thing I didnt know about this car, is, that is very cheap to fix too, for an import. Easy access to all car parts, and also it has an amazingly big trunk. What can I say, except that I will try to upgrade the year of it, and that I recommend it , to all people, and more to ones that do a lot of driving to work every day.

• 

  Great SUV, go anywhere - 2003 Toyota 4Runner
  By John - February 12 - 11:23 am

  I love my 4runner. I owned a 99 Land Rover Discover II and bought this 4 runner used with 11000 on it. So far, it has only been to the shop because of a querky sun roof gear, but it was fixed, no questions asked. The suspension is the XReas and does great, but makes a noise when you hit a bump making a sharp turn going slowly. The other odd thing is that it squeals when it warms up, but that is a V6 issue and is common with all V6s supposedly, only happens for maybe 30 seconds, and isnt noticeable inside the vehicle because of the excellent noise reduction Toyota has in the vehicle. I love the SUV, recommend it to everyone and I say, great job Toyota, oh yeah V6 acts like a V8.

• 

  Super nice, a world standard - 2005 Toyota Land Cruiser
  By Dolphstar - February 12 - 12:46 am

  I was bitten by the Land Cruiser bug after being taking on a sand dune ride in Dubai, UAE. It was amazing. Quiet and smooth on the freeway and unstoppable offroad. Since then I have seen them in action in Oman, Pakistan, and Ethiopia where they are used by the United Nations. My own LC leads an easy life compared to those vehicles. I am now spoiled by the ride, handling, stability and quality of it. Ive had it 1.5 years and enjoy it just much as now as the first day I got it. So far oil changes and tire rotations are the only service it has required. I happen to like the truckish body style. It is what it is and not a wannabe sport car, SUV, station wagon, crossover mishmash.

• 

  Welcome to the 21st Century! - 2013 Toyota Avalon Hybrid
  By jkunkle - February 11 - 11:17 pm

  "Traded in an 08 Acura MDX for my new 2013 Avalon Hybrid Limited and three days later Im still high with exuberance that I dont expect will wear off anytime soon. Let me qualify myself as a motorhead from the age of five, car guy all my life, even retired from a lifelong career in automotive. This car is the most unbelievable, technological achievement Ive ever witnessed come from an auto manufacture that is reasonably affordable and luxuriously useful and super economical. I could write a book on its attributes ranging from luxury, comfort and pleasantness as a people mover. Yes, its true what you might have read, that the Avalon is better than its Lexus cousin.

• 

  Great car - 2008 Toyota Corolla
  By Nancy - February 11 - 10:43 pm

  Love my new Toyota Corolla LE. Drives and handles great. Love the 6 CD changer and stereo system. Plenty of room and storage space. I live in FL and need to use A/C quite a bit. Im only getting 24 miles per gallon; not 30/38 as advertised. Does the A/C use 6 miles/gallon??? Is anyone else having this problem in hot weather. Its a 4 cylinder. I have changed my driving habits to increase my mileage such as driving the speed limit, no quick starts and stops and lowered the A/C to a warmer temp.

• 

  BUY ONE! - 2007 Toyota Tundra
  By Awesome Truck! - February 11 - 9:56 pm

  Just another honest opinion. Bought the Crewmax when they first came out. Compared with my other vehicles, I couldnt be happier. I wont mention the brands but they have all been in and out of dealership for repairs. This truck has been the most reliable vehicle I have owned. However, as with all vehicles there has to be a problem. The front diff. Needs repairing. Makes a "woo. Woo" noise once and a while. But Toyota will replace it. Unlike other brands who claim you are hearing things. Tons of power, tons of room, not bad on fuel (87 octane), and will spank a ext. Cab hemi with the supposed 390 hp. (ask my brother ; ) ). Stereo is good not great.

• 

  Best car I ever owned - 2005 Toyota Prius
  By Mike - February 11 - 7:20 pm

  The mileage you know about. This car barely sips regular gasoline. The Prius has every possible feature that doesnt add weight, carefully planned, fully integrated, and built with quality. When GM and Ford complain that their cars dont sell, ask them why they insist on building gas guzzling SUVs instead of fuel efficient hybrids.

• 

  My New RAV4 - 2017 Toyota RAV4
  By Warren from Long Island - February 11 - 1:55 pm

  I bought my new 2017 RAV4 SE the end of December 2016. I sold my 2015 Mercedes-Benz C300 4 Matic and wanted an SUV because I retired and want to play in a band and neeed room for my drums. I chose Toyota because they are so reliable. I love this SUV but Im sorry that I didnt get the Hybrid because the gas mileage is NOT good (very disappointed). The ride and comfort is excellent and the visability is great. The blind spot alert could have been better, it lights up yellow rather than bright Red and doesnt beep when a car is in the blind spot and you have the blinker on. All in all its a great SUV except for the gas mileage.

• 

  Best riding car Ive ever owned - 2016 Toyota Prius v
  By Tom - February 11 - 12:00 pm

  Smooth ride. Screens encourage me to drive less aggressively as I see how my old habits were jerky and inefficient (or maybe Im just getting mellower with age). Incredibly quiet inside and out. Only quibble is the navigation screen is too small. But I love this car.

• 

  A Home Run With Me - 2002 Toyota Echo
  By Tom - February 11 - 7:50 am

  I bought this car new back in 2002 and quite frankly it was the first foreign car Ive ever purchased. I always bought from GM, and at the time of purchase, the "Big Three" were making only gas guzzlers (the Geo Metro was phased out). So I was very apprehensive about buying foreign. Wow, my fears were unfounded. This car runs and runs and runs. Ive got 80000 miles on it and the only thing Ive done is put gas in it and change the oil every 6 months religiously. Absolutely no problems, not even a sensor light has come on. Love this car - would recommend this car to anyone - and I have, and two people have purchased this car used and they love it as well.