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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  Good Truck, Well Worth The Costt. - 2003 Toyota Tacoma
  By jsc0 - October 12 - 10:00 am

  I havent had the truck long, but I find that it is very well built and handles well on and off road, more than I can say for most small trucks. The fuel economy is OK considering its a V6. I love the styling and plan to enjoy it for many years!

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  Love My Truck! - 2003 Toyota Tacoma
  By KennethM3 - October 12 - 10:00 am

  Wow! I cant believe I waited so long to buy this truck. It does everything I wanted a truck to do plus. It seats four as well as my wifes Jetta, it hauls mountain bikes everywhere we want to go and will soon be pressed into service hauling kayaks and moving us to another city.

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  Good car - 2003 Toyota Camry
  By Jiggs - October 12 - 10:00 am

  Car could use better performance from its 4 cylinders. Other than that, the car is nice and smooth, looks and feels great.

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  Just Bought Over the Odyssey - 2004 Toyota Sienna
  By ColoradoMom - October 12 - 10:00 am

  We were in the market for a minivan. We worked with both Odyssey and Sienna. The Honda dealer in Colorado Springs still has the smug "Honda Odyssey" attitude, and were not willing to budge off MSRP for a 2003 Honda. The Sienna has many more features and a year newer. The Honda dealer treated us so poorly, we went back to the Toyota dealer and ordered a Sienna (none on the lot for sale). Skip the Odyssey, they need to realize they arent the top dog anymore.

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  Unbelievable - 2004 Toyota Sienna
  By just - October 12 - 10:00 am

  I was on the fence about buying this van and Im delighted to say that its far exceeded my expectations! The build quality is unbeliebable, it honestly feels like a German car or a Lexus. I got the BW package i.e. substitued the JBL sound system for Traction control, Stability control, brake assist, rear disks etc.

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  Freakin Awesome - 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By NeoPendragon - October 12 - 8:30 am

  After owning a 02 Prius for 3yrs. What a kick in the pants. I loved my Prius and the awesome performance but had to upgrade to the Camry (my 3rd). This car only has 6 options all else are standard features. We got the windows tinted and put 18" BBS rims on (not standard options). Talk about a grand driving experience. Only wish that Toyota would include the memory seats. Looks like I might have to get one for the wife also so I can fix that. For anyone debating about the Hybrid technology dont worry Toyota is cutting edge and about 10 yrs ahead of the competition in that case. You know they have been selling Hybrids in Japan since 97 thats 10 yrs worth of experience my family and I trust.

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  Great Value - 2003 Toyota Echo
  By cars4dummies - October 12 - 3:29 am

  I am just writing this to make a point. Bougth a brand new 2003 4 door Echo sedan. Really this and a few others were the only cars I could afford back then. No regret! Still solid. Never had any major issues. Ive been up to all the regular maintenance, and changes tires for winter every year. Never had any accidents on icy and snowy roads here in Calgary. Just trying to make a point. I compare this to a brand new 2010 Subaru Forester which turned out to be a $10k more expensive garbage. I am definitely going back to Toyota.

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  My favorite car! - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By Kathy - October 12 - 2:30 am

  This is my third Camry (1996, 2002 and 2007) after owning a Honda Accord in 1989. Every time I go to buy a car I go back to look at the Honda but once I drive the Camry Im sold. By far this is the best Camry Ive ever owned. Its more fun to drive than any car Ive driven. It holds the road and when you press on the accelerator it accelerates smoothly and very quickly. It gets up and moves! Even my boyfriend loves this car! The handling is amazing and its quiet. I love the bluetooth wireless phone. You wont regret buying this car.

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  06 Avalon - 2006 Toyota Avalon
  By B L - October 11 - 11:30 pm

  I feel this car should be in the luxury class of cars. We road-tested the loaded Honda Accord, Nissan Maxima, Lincoln Zephyr, Mazda 6, VW Passat V-6, BMW 3 Series (& X3) as well as a few others; this Avalon has a better all- around feel. A little road noise on "rough road" surfaces but what car isnt? (could be the brand of tire)

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  Awesome Truck NO Matter WHAT!!!! - 1995 Toyota Pickup
  By ramos - October 11 - 10:23 pm

  I use my truck for work everyday, I commute 33 miles to work and 33 back home and the occasional trip of about 250 miles so I would say annually I put 20,000 or so. Truck has procomp lift, and runs 33" tires. Truck runs great, with the occasional problem like lights, shocks, etc. Original engine ran until 280,000 and quit got new engine with 70,000 miles and runs like a champ, fun thing to drive on road and off road. Also good work truck has traveled to Mexico to haul car and misc. items weighing 400+ lbs. Lacks performance options for the V6 but is still good.