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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  Great mini SUV - 1998 Toyota RAV4
  By montclan - January 12 - 10:00 am

  This mini-SUV Toyota has the build quality, fit and finish that Toyota products are known for. It performs well within the constraints of which it was manufactured. The power and fuel efficiency are as advertised, and in around town driving it performms well. The ride is great and the maintenance has been nill. Ideally it could have 10-15 more hp, but then the gas mileage would decrease. Ive had no problems and it seems to be a great fit for my needs. The resale value seems to be holding up well and I plan on years of trouble free driving.

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  good - 1997 Toyota Camry
  By janak patel - January 12 - 2:00 am

  satisfied

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  Great Truck that keeps on going! - 1997 Toyota Tacoma
  By jwpcpa - January 12 - 2:00 am

  Having had 4 Toyota 4x4s this is the first in the Tacoma Series and the first X-tended Cab. This truck has cost only oil changes, nothing else over 5 years. Rotate the tires every 5,000 miles. To this day there is not a rattle anywhere to be found and living in New England, going off road, driving in Boston, that says something about build quality. I will keep this for a long time. The appearance may be that you pay more for a Toyota, in fact you get more and when it comes time to sell. the value will surprise you, compare to others,Total cost of ownership is less than $1K per year, and I have something that will run for the next five years. Try that with another brand.

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  Nice - 1999 Toyota Camry
  By Franky - January 12 - 2:00 am

  Its a reliable car. Not the flashiest, fastest, or most comfortable. I drive it HARD and I the only thing Ive had to replace in 70,000 miles is the brake pads (twice). I followed the maintenance schedule and have had no problems.

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  Great Car, Decent MPG - 2007 Toyota Prius
  By rwb9900 - January 12 - 12:43 am

  I really like it. I would not buy from Sun Toyota though. MPG are good but a far cry from what they tell you it will be.

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  Love and disappointments - 2010 Toyota 4Runner
  By George Zeiler - January 11 - 2:00 am

  I had a 2005 sport it had a lot more power, than the 2010 sr5 and it had better gas mileage than the 2010, I though it would have more power, and a little better gas mileage. I like the 4 runner over all, esp. The power rear window., I don; t like the way I have to adjust the steering wheel, that set up has to be in the Stone age, very cumbersome and inconvenient and probably the cheapest way to do it.

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  I have the only Avalon with problems - 2001 Toyota Avalon
  By JLG - January 11 - 1:40 am

  OK, I know the Avalon is supposed to be a great car, but Ive had a few expensive problems with brakes. Excessive rust near the rotors caused the brakes to fail after only 35,000 miles, and again at 55,000 miles. Ive been told by two dealers that the brakes will be a chronic problem. Paint on the hood is chipping and peeling, and the CD player had to be replaced after two years. Every other Avalon owner Ive met loves their car, so maybe mine is the exception.

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  168,000 and still strong - 1998 Toyota Corolla
  By cladem - January 10 - 9:13 pm

  We bought this car new. My wife had it, then my daughter and now its my turn with 168,000 miles on it. Still rides like new but gas tank lever is broken, hood latch sticks, and it uses about 1 qt of oil every 1100 miles. It is about the most reliable car we have ever had other than our Toyota RAV4.

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  Needs new transmission - 2009 Toyota 4Runner
  By Jeef B - January 10 - 2:13 pm

  Overall I think this 4runner is a good performing SUV. Handles good and everything works as promised except for the transmission. When I slow down for a turn or a stop sign, (while not coming to a complete stop) then step on the throttle the transmission hunts for a gear and the engine revs until the gear is found. This is very annoying because it happens all the time. The dealer says this is normal. If I would have experienced this during the test drive, I would never have bought this vehicle. I am going to suffer with this until the warranty is up then I will get something new. Normally I keep my cars close to 10 years like my previous 1999 4runner which I wish I still had.

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  Reliable Fun & Economical - 2008 Toyota Corolla
  By Dorb1231 - January 10 - 12:36 am

  Does everything I wanted it to do. Based in the increase in gas prices, it might pay for itself when compared to the older vehicle I had. Out of the showroom drove New York City to Florida and back. Very stable even in driving rain at 75 mph.