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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  best used car i ever had - 1993 Toyota Camry
  By mroedan - January 2 - 5:05 pm

  all i would like to say is that this 93 camry se its the S**T!!!. i love this car and dont think about selling it any time soon. i go to college upstate Ny and drive an estimate of a 400miles every 2 months for the last 3 years and so far no problem. Only problem that the car ever had was the transmission. The 5th gear wasnt working but i fixed it with less than $1000USD and never again transmission problems. My its a 5speed so its really good with gas even for a v6. my dads 2004 camry le drags more gas than mine, i dont how but it does. maybe because my dads its automatic and mine is 5 speed so im able to change the gears for the right time. When it comes to speed and peformance 10/10

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  Great SUV - 2007 Toyota RAV4
  By Jason - January 2 - 2:56 pm

  My wife wanted a new SUV to haul the kids around, but she did not want a mammoth trucklike vehicle. The RAV4 is perfect. It has all the room, with the carlike ride and gas mileage. Tops in this category by far.

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  Here we go Indigo. - 2006 Toyota Matrix
  By Charpaints - January 2 - 2:06 pm

  As an artist in a major metropolitan city this little car is the one for me. It is zippy in traffic, holds a fair amount of cargo and is affordable to own. It is easy to load and unload. The higher seats offer a more comfortable enter and exit to and from the car especially for older passengers. Gas mileage is terrific. The instumentation takes a little getting used to but afterwards is very easy to use and see. A few of the plastic handles on the seat adjusters feel temporary and have come off.

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  Disappointed! - 2009 Toyota Venza
  By Heidi - January 2 - 10:16 am

  After driving this for only 4 months, I was really disappointed! The extremely large dash started coming apart. I had a constant loud rattling noise coming from the a/c vents on the dash which they replaced and still did not help, plus every time I would go over the slightest bump, the car had really loud squeaking coming from underneath. Well took it to the dealership to get fixed, did not work. A new car should not have those issues at 2800 miles already. Plus it is really loud inside, lots of road noise. Needless to say, traded it in for the new 2010 Buick LaCrosse. Now I am happy! Toyota just does not have the quality construction it once did. Lost it for me.

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  Excellent Choice - 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By BuffaloHybridDriver - January 2 - 8:06 am

  The car is very nice! Im coming out of an 01 Acura TL & was very skeptical about "downgrading" to a Camry, but I was pleasantly surprised. This car is very nice inside & out (the leather is nicer than what was in my 01 TL). I got it fully loaded w/ nav & all the options. I am VERY pleased w/ the Camry hybrid & the great value it presents (37.5 MPG, mixed driving).

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  Hog Hunting Extraviganza - 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser
  By Scott Ash - January 2 - 5:43 am

  I bought the FJ Cruiser for fun. I live in Texas and with all the rain we have had you would think I would keep it lame. My friends and I go hog hunting on a huge corn farm... been out about 5 times. They all park their 4 wheel vehicles and pile into mine because it gets us out there and back! (27 inch water clearance!) If you want an excellent, fun, go anywhere vehicle then I cant say enough. I have never run premium gas in it. The blind spot is easily corrected by moving out the side mirrors. Cant wait to invest in a lift kit etc and really make this thing do some rock climbing!

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  4Runner 4ever - 1999 Toyota 4Runner
  By Papa - January 2 - 12:33 am

  The most reliable vehicle I have owned! After 10 years, my 4Runner is as solid as the day I drove it off the lot. I think I will pass it on to my grandson who is currently 9 years old.

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  Love my Freda the 4-Runner-Limited - 2011 Toyota 4Runner
  By Cathy Moore - January 1 - 11:32 pm

  Bought my 4-Runner Thanksgiving of 2011 & I wouldnt trade her for any other vehicle on the road. She has been to Mackinac, North Carolina (twice) South Carolina, Georgia, Oklahoma, New Orleans & never had her in the shop for repairs. We live in NW Ohio where the winters have been pretty brutal the last couple years & she never failed to get me through deep snow & rough roads. We will keep her till the wheels rust off. My husband has a 2007 Tundra that also is still going strong with no shop repairs. Toyota makes the best vehicles on the road bar none.

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  Best family car in 20k segment - 2010 Toyota Camry
  By Sen79 - January 1 - 5:16 pm

  This is my second Camry and have not disappointed with anything so far. Like few others reported, I was able to feel little jolt esp driving below 40 mph in stop & go traffic in the beginning. The new car was not coasting like my old one. But after driving for about 800 miles the tranny has become smooth. The cloth seats were not comfortable for me. So I added leather seats along with Alloy Wheels (extra value package). I looked at Altima, Honda, Sonata and settled for Camry primarily for the quiet ride (that I was very much used to in my old Camry). The new engine is a little peppier than the old version.

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  CVT Is Horrible - 2015 Toyota Corolla
  By Dan - January 1 - 8:02 am

  The new corollas are slow and its mainly because the CVT transmission. The engine and overall design of the car would be awesome with a real transmission in it but that rubber band CVT doesnt help it out at all. Slow acceleration, bad reliability and noisy. The new corolla makes more noise then it does power, my 2007 model is faster. The DOHC paired with just the four speed auto transmission in my old corolla is faster then any of the new CVT corollas. Glad I have a older model.