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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  Exceptional value in its class. - 2011 Toyota Avalon
  By edward09 - December 4 - 1:50 pm

  2011 Avalon XLS (Canada) has the competiton beat! Excellent front seat comfort with full power lumbar for driver / passenger. More room than Mercedes E350. Lexus features without the price. This car is quite fast and has a controlled stable ride, and uses regular gas, unlike the competiton. Gas mileage has been 7.5l / 100 km - highway (38 MPG - imperial) and 10.5l / 100 km city. The voice reconition is very good, controls well laid-out and nice NAVI system. Lots of room in the back seat with comfortable seating and tilting seatback is functional. Very good trunk space. Both interior and exterior fit and finish are tight with good alignment. Great car for long trips in varied terrain.

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  Love it!!!! - 2008 Toyota Tacoma
  By fatvette - December 4 - 10:23 am

  This has been an awesome truck for what I use it for. I bought it new in 2008 and it currently has 31000 mile on it. Although the miles are relativity low I have not had any failures of any type. The truck has been flawless. The truck is very comfortable considering the bench seat but I did add an aftermarket center console/armrest. Having a place to rest your arm made a big improvement over holding it in your lap or resting on the seat. Engine power in more then adequate. Brakes are a little spongy and road noise on this base model is noticeable.

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  Weak horsepower - 2013 Toyota Corolla
  By rfbry - December 3 - 6:10 pm

  I bought this car for my daughters 16th birthday so that she could take it to college when she is 18 and it is perfect for her. No problems at all. With that being said, my 2005 Sienna was in the shop recently and I had to put my family of 5 in it to go around town in. That put approximately 700 lbs of weight in the car. This car was very sluggish with this much weight in it. It had absolutely no get up and go to it. It is not a family car. My husband who is 510" had a really hard time fitting in the car and was very uncomfortable in it. This car is only good for one or two people and that is it.

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  Its mostly love! - 2006 Toyota Prius
  By meshee - December 3 - 3:03 pm

  Driving my Prius is great fun. It gets very good gas milage, but no where near the 60 it advertises. My average is 43mpg. Still better than most 4 cyl. With that said, the only other problem I have is the interior display (heat, radio, etc). Its displayed on a cool, TV like screen, but you have to jump to different screens to change each thing. i.e. You want to change your heat to defrost, or change the station on your radio. Theres lots that can be done on the steering wheel, but I find that equally annoying. If given the choice, you definatley want the rear camera (when you put in R a rear view comes up on that screen). But GET ONE, save yourself some money & save our planet!

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  A good ride - 2004 Toyota Tundra
  By ajhasnow - December 3 - 11:13 am

  I have now owned 2 Tundras and loved both of them. Comfortable ride, extremely dependable, peppy when needed, Service regularly and it performs well. A little crowded for a family of 5 when traveling far, but all seats are comfortable for full sized adults. Smoothest ride in a 4 wheel drive truck I have been in.

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  As expected - 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By Brant - December 2 - 10:56 am

  After my wife driving an Explorer for 4 years she was ready for a change. Wanted a Hybrid due to her job going back and forth to patients homes in the city. Went to drive a Prius but saw the white 50th anniversary edition Camry on the dealership floor. She is very happy with the car and I am happy to drive it as well though I consider myself a car enthusiast. Mileage has ranged from 28 in the city on 95 degree days with the A/C cranking to almost 40 on the highway without the A/C. The ride is a little bouncy due to the extra battery weight and the brakes are a little touchy but nothing annoying. The CVT is a little droning when accelerating. Overall we really like the car.

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  Hard to beat deal - 2010 Toyota RAV4
  By Pete - December 2 - 10:03 am

  I just Leased a 2010 RAV4 AWD Limited with a V6 for $330 per month with zero down plus signing fees ($1,625). They bought out the lease on my 2008 WV Passat with 8 months to go with zero cost to me so I basically dropped off one car and drove home with a brand new more expensive vehicle, which to me is a hard to beat deal.

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  Wow Toyota - 2004 Toyota Prius
  By Poli20 - December 2 - 2:00 am

  Wow This car is asome and good.

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  Tundra Review - 2000 Toyota Tundra
  By kbjmills - December 2 - 2:00 am

  Very reliable, stable vechicle with excellent towing capacity and vision. Mecahnically I have had no problems and the vechicle is still tight.

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  great vehicle - 2003 Toyota RAV4
  By pmama - December 2 - 2:00 am

  I bought my RAV4 a year ago and have not a single honest complaint about this vehicle. I traded in a corolla for this one and I am so glad I did, it is quieter, roomier and perfect for a small family like mine with young children.