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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  Nice car! - 2003 Toyota Camry
  By TM123 - May 4 - 10:00 am

  Ive owned it for about a month. Rides very smoothly. In fact, rides more smoothly than most other cars Ive test driven. The shocks absorb bumps nicely where you dont even notice. Not a super sporty car, but is a solid sedan that should last for years.

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  39 - 2004 Toyota Sienna
  By Felicia - May 4 - 10:00 am

  I Loved this car, for 6cyl engine it is very good gas mileage,beautiful and nice looking car, the body look slim compare any other van wich look like a bun.

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  Toyota Sequoia Limited 4WD Review - 2006 Toyota Sequoia
  By RKB - May 4 - 6:46 am

  After looking at several large SUVs, we decided on the Sequoia for all its amenities and for the overall look. I couldnt be happier with the performance of this vehicle. It rides and drives like a dream. Everything about this vehicle is perfect! It handles like a smaller vehicle, but has a large capacity. We are LOVING the Sequoia more than any vehicle we have ever owned (Jeep, Dodge, or Chevy). I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a large SUV. The only down side is the gas mileage, but if you have an SUV, you are used to that anyway. We are currently getting 16 mpg, which is only 1 mile less than the Chevy Blazer (small SUV) we had before.

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  Generally a nice car - 2010 Toyota Matrix
  By Raj - May 3 - 9:40 pm

  A pretty nice little car. Mileage ~31 mpg on the hwy, dropping to 24 when used for short commutes in the winter. Surprisingly roomy front and back - best feature is upright seating. Compared to our 03 civic, this has a smoother ride, poorer fuel economy, more comfortable seats, cludgier HVAC controls, more rattles, but does far far better in snow and ice. Visibility out is OK for me (5-11) and marginal for my wife (5-5): large A pillars and drivers side-view mirror are the main problems for her. Engine a little buzzy above 3000 rpm but fine at cruise and gentle driving. Stereo OK but a bit boomy.

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  Just an Awesome Truck - 2008 Toyota Tundra
  By J-Peg - May 3 - 4:23 pm

  I went from a 2004 Ford F-150 to the Tundra and what an improvement. This truck has some guts. The 5.7L will put back in your seat. It is fun to drive and I love how high I sit off the road (I have the TRD package). Im in love with my truck!

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  Sir William - 2005 Toyota Avalon
  By Sir William - May 3 - 9:33 am

  I dont know why any one would buy a Lexus and pay the extra money. The car is beautiful to look at and a dream to drive.

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  Size does count - 2006 Toyota Sequoia
  By Dave Stiller - May 3 - 5:53 am

  A very long, wide and tall vehicle. Just try washing it. Amazingly quiet and smooth ride. Seating position is excellent and provides a great view ahead. Passenger comfort is very good in all seats. Rear seats remove easily and quickly. Quality and detail of construction is impressive. No squeaks or body noises. No wind noise at speed with windows closed. Opening rear window is a plus. Allows flow thru vent.

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  Check Engine Light - 2010 Toyota Tundra
  By JH - May 3 - 2:46 am

  Have had the truck for a week and the check engine light is on! Just traded in my Jeep Grand Cherokee for the same reason. Expensive truck and now this! Put some faith in Toyota even with the accelerator recall and supposedly from another post, they knew about this problem, cam sensor. Beware!

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  Love it! - 2006 Toyota 4Runner
  By Love it! - May 2 - 5:13 pm

  Never have been a material person, but I love this car! I was looking at crossovers and wagons for MPG, and handling, but forgot it all when I test drove this Toyota. The MPG is typical though. But the handling is smooth and if you like bigger cars, as fun as any sports car you can get. I took it off road for fun, and as inexperienced as I am, I thought I pushed it too far at one point, but... put in the low gear, and I was out of a muddy, five-feet-deep river bed. Also, for everyday, the cargo shelf in the back is great when you want to hide some things and still be able to load via the window.

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  We love it - 2008 Toyota Highlander
  By Kevin - May 2 - 1:20 pm

  We wanted to graduate out of our wagon. Our decision came down to Mazda CX-9, Hyunda Veracruz, and the Highlander. The Veracruz seemed a little more luxurious, but we were hesitant about reliability/resale. The best part about the Highlander is that there was nothing in the "con" list except maybe initial price. But take into account resale, and that goes away.