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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  98 avalon - 1998 Toyota Avalon
  By j chan - December 9 - 2:00 am

  we brought this used with 37K miles from toyota dealer. Cars paint is terrible, looks like mircobubble on the top. Paint chip easily. Had to replace strut plate at 50K miles at $900. trunk leak water due to bad gasket in tail lamp. air conditioner had to be recharged last week at 65K, car drives great, but everything sucks.

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  My Mini-van - 2000 Toyota Sienna
  By MermaidCMS - December 9 - 2:00 am

  I love this car! It is so versitle, pretty on the outside and inside. It is great on long road trips. The seats are easy to remove for hauling things. I have never regretted this purchase and will in all likelyhood get another one day. For a larger vehicle, the mileage is outstanding.

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  My Fifth Toyota - 2003 Toyota Matrix
  By dave behrens - December 9 - 2:00 am

  My wife loves her Matrix. She is a school teacher and carries many school related and other types of things in it. It swallows amazing quantities of stuff for a small station wagon. She also insisted upon a manual trans, and is very happy with it. Great in the turns..like a sports car. I love how easy it is to enter and exit, and the room in the rear seat. Lots of nooks to store things.

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  toyota truck - 2001 Toyota Tacoma
  By Biker - December 9 - 2:00 am

  very good reliability, it feels a little cheap compared to american builders. 4 wheel drive system works very good. The body could be stronger and seats should have more support and comfort for us big guys.

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  Great Car - 2001 Toyota Camry
  By Tom4563289161 - December 9 - 2:00 am

  This is a great car. Had it for two years now and have about 30k on it. Still as good as when i bought it. Im a big guy so the roominess is great. Smooth ride, great stereo, nice design. We have both an 01 LE 4cyl and a XLE 6 cyl and i think the LE is leagues above the xle. The engine could use a little more low end pickup though. Great car to drive and doesnt need any repairs. I highly suggest this car.

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  bobs review - 2000 Toyota Camry
  By joe mamma - December 9 - 2:00 am

  it is great!I love my Camry. I wont buy another make of car ever again!

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  Nikkis Review - 2003 Toyota Highlander
  By Nikki - December 9 - 2:00 am

  I really enjoy owning my highlander. Its everything it suppose to be in an SUV and more. The gas mileage is decent for a 4 cylinder. I average 24 mpg. I expect to get better gas mileage when I get closer to 20,000 miles.

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  2004 Sienna: The Boss! - 2004 Toyota Sienna
  By Mikey Mac - December 9 - 2:00 am

  We just bought this beauty yesterday, so first impressions here. This was the first one this dealer had received. We bought the XLE FWD; grey leather interior, sunroof, and other upgrades from the standard XLE; 6-in- dash CD AND cassette player, side running boards. Back seat drops into the floor like Hondas, but the Siennas seat can be stowed 1/3 or 2/3 at a time...snaps snugly into place in two easy steps each direction. Runs smooth down highway and other roads; 5-speed auto tranny works smoothly and the 230 hp gives a nice throaty exhaust note when pushed. Overall, Im totally impressed. We will probably drive this thing for ten years!

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  disapointed in some aspects of the design - 2011 Toyota Sienna
  By tom344 - December 8 - 8:33 pm

  It rained last night. The roof was wet. I needed to roll down the drivers side window to see. The water from the roof poured directly into the car. The controls for the power windows got very wet. To make it worse each window control sits on top of a small well that holds the water and assures that it drains into the window control mechanism. The interior side of the front doors seem flimsy. I am tall and my left knee pushes against the protrusion that holds the window controls. I see it flexing each time my left leg moves. I am concerned that the flimsy plastic that makes up the interior door will eventually crack after repeated exposures to my left leg pushing against it.

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  i was a chevy man you cant beat the toyota camry - 1993 Toyota Camry
  By E Allen caldwell - December 8 - 5:27 pm

  I read some of the reviews to the ones that had problems its the people that you bought it from.didnt take care of it i paid 500 for mine first thing i did change the oil both cv joints an tires its the best car i ever had it has 300.000 on it now and still running strong.i do all the maintence on it myself its never left me stranded it gets 30 mpg air is ice cold you could not find a better car.i take it every where .it doesnt matter out of state .it just keeps on going thanks toyota