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 SUV - 2003 Toyota Highlander
  By Diondra - January 8 - 10:56 pm

  This car has the most room, the rear seats fold down FLAT, for animals, and it by far has the BEST, smoothest ride of any SUV on the market. Plus you get all the wonderful Toyota dependability to go with it!!

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  Best car ever for this class! - 2014 Toyota Camry
  By tbowen - January 8 - 11:53 am

  So here is my story...I am a home health nurse and do LOTS of driving. Had a 2012 Fusion used with less than 30,000 miles on it. What a piece of junk! Had transmission problems that they cant seem to fix in the Fusions. So I traded it in for a Camry. Wow! What a difference! I LOVE my Camry. I test drove the Camry LE and XLE and did not like them at all, felt underpowered and boring. I test drove the SE and fell in love. The power in this 4 cylinder is remarkable, I thought I was driving a 6 cylinder! I am getting 29 mpg in mixed driving, upwards of 40 + mpg on highway. This is one solid car and just quality built. You just cant beat a Toyota!!!

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  Great SUV - 1996 Toyota 4Runner
  By Picky - January 8 - 10:00 am

  I drove 3 Cherokees over 200,000 miles each, but wanted even better reliability since I drive 40,000+ miles per year in sales. I looked for 3 years until I found the 4Runner I was looking for. The reliability factor was just as great as the reviews said. All I have had to do is change the oil and struts. I have already driven it 120,000 miles. I would definitely buy another.

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  my car - 1997 Toyota Corolla
  By gus - January 8 - 10:00 am

  the corolla is a great car for anyone. It gets from point a to b wonderfully and it is very reliable. ive had mine for a little more than a year, its got over 100000 miles, and all ive had to do besides change the oil is put in a new battery and a belt that had worn out.

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  Typical Toyota Quality - 2003 Toyota RAV4
  By RGL - January 8 - 10:00 am

  My 2003 RAV4 Sport is the 5th Toyota product we have purchased and it has delivered satisfaction. Those who have slammed the mini-"ute" have somehow forgotten that this is a 4 cylinder mini-suv. For driving around the city and periodic trips on the interstate the performance is satisfying. I have had no problems keeping up with more expensive vehicles on the interstate and at 75mph, the ride is quiet and comfortable. I am very satisfied with my RAV and yes it does deserve its rating as the top rated min- suv by Consumer Reports.

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  Glad I bought it! - 2003 Toyota Highlander
  By TD - January 8 - 10:00 am

  Smooth, quiet ride, good gas mileage for an SUV type vehicle.

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  ultimate camry - 2003 Toyota Camry
  By yerges213 - January 8 - 10:00 am

  hey, toytoa camry is so reliable that its better than my 1996 toyota camry.

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  Love my Prius! - 2008 Toyota Prius
  By VT Prius Fan - January 7 - 6:56 pm

  I purchased my 2008 Prius in November of 2007 and now have just over 12,000 miles on it. I average between 46 and 50 mpg. It does a little better on highway trips. The car has plenty of room too. In March I took a trip with three other people to Charleston, SC from Ashburn, VA. With four people in the car + luggage the Prius averaged 47 mpg. I cannot say enough good things about this car. Since I have purchased my Prius at least 4 co-workers have purchased hybrid cars because they were so impressed with mine. If you are looking for a new car, go ahead and buy a Prius. You will not regret it.

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  Waited 10 years - 2010 Toyota Avalon
  By tom - January 7 - 12:06 am

  Have a 2000 xls with 79,000 miles I bought new, and have been well satisfied. It is a great car. Found my current 2010 XLS with 9400 miles at a fair price with windows already tinted. Cocoa bean metallic/ ivory, lots of extras by original buyer. The wait was well worth it. Car is super quiet, solid, handles great, and gets great mileage 33mpg on road, 28 in town. Have gotten as high as 35mpg w/o the air. In my opinion, I like the Avalon better than the Lexus ES, its bigger, just as quiet, and more car for the money. Its a classy ride, big comfortable, and amazingly powerful for a v-6. Like the 2010 better than the 2011. 2011 has too much GORP, or chrome pieces to jazz it up!

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  Amazingly Versatile - 2008 Toyota RAV4
  By sdc2 - January 6 - 6:46 pm

  I searched a lot of models before buying the RAV4 six months ago. The RAV4 was the only one I found that: 1) a 63" guy like me could fit into comfortably - I am long torso and headroom is always a challenge, but the height-adjustable seat and telescoping steering wheel did the trick. 2) Properly equipped can tow a modest camper or boat. 3) Would still get into the upper 20s for highway gas mileage. The V6 RAV4 has done all that and more for me. I am getting 22-24 mpg around town and 26-28 highway so far.