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 car, not truck - 2002 Toyota Highlander
  By jpark - September 3 - 2:03 am

  Test drove the HL V-6 and was very impressed with its car-like features. The V-6 was strong and spunky. Good acceleration and smooth transition. Seats were comfortable and headroom was luxurious. Its eccentric interior design was great. It is unique and unlike any other car that Ive seen.

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  Touring Delight - 2006 Toyota Avalon
  By Sailor - September 2 - 11:43 pm

  I am very impressed with the MPG on this large car. My first highway trip gave me an MPG of 32. My wife loves and power and roominess. I added chrome wheels to my Black Touring Avalon (the standard Touring wheels would be fine if chrome instead of grey) and get plenty of positive comments. The standard sound system equals the Bose system in my other vehicle.

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  05 Avalon - 2005 Toyota Avalon
  By swerge - September 2 - 7:43 pm

  The remote start system is poor at best. It will operate locks across a parking lot but you to be close to start the car. The operation of key fob is tricky then engine stops upon entry and needs to be restarted.

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  So much better than expected - 2005 Toyota Prius
  By Atrum Animus - September 2 - 5:40 pm

  My wife and I researched Hybrids for 3 years before finally buying our Prius. We are more than satisfied with our purchase. We immediately started saving more than $300 per month on gas. Now that gas prices have gone above $3.00 a gallon and are now hovering at about $2.70 we are saving closer to $425 per month. We actually average between 42 and 46 mpg but I have a lead foot and tend to set the cruise control on 80mph. If I can behave myself and go about 68 mph I average closer to 50 mpg on highway. My daily commute is about 80 miles round trip and this car has been a life saver over what our SUV used to cost getting 17 mpg on a good day. We recommend the Prius fully loaded.

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  Sweet little retirement car - 2007 Toyota Yaris
  By Darryl - September 2 - 5:10 pm

  Im 63 so I wanted a cheap, basic, mileage car. I guess in my generation the basics are the basics. I dont need, cruise control, auto windows and all the rest. I did get air, stereo, power steering , five speed (dont need automatic). I also got gas mileage, that will come and go, though. I have gotten as low as 30.5 and as high as 39, it seems its always this way, but this is honest mileage. Sticker mileage, brag mileage, and honest mileage. But the car is cute, rides good, mileage O.K. but its NOT a turnpike cruiser with the goodies. I love it, 9.5 on a scale of 10. But over 40mph keep an eye on the speedo.

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  Great car. Good value. Good daily driver - 2007 Toyota Highlander
  By International Emergency Vehicle Repsonses - September 2 - 5:24 am

  I have a 2007 Toyota Highlander Sport 3.3L V6 3rd row in a great dark blue color. I like it a lot overall, back in 2007, buying my first new car was a big deal, but I was still on a tight budget, but being me, I wanted the sport package, and a v6 with a 3rd row. I got exactly what I wanted. Makes a near perfect daily driver, love all the storage, but at the same time, it has "no frills" for example: Grey cloth seats, plastic dashboard and other stuff, nothing fancy which is fine. I like that is is higher up of the ground than my old 2007 Ford Five-Hundred 3.0L V6, getting into it feels halfway like getting into a pickup and halfway like getting into a car, which I like. Really reliable car. The maintenance light has been on for about 2 years, Ive got it checked out like 10 times since only for them to say my engine and other stuff is fine. I get the oil changed about every 6,000 miles, and it really does treat me well. I would recommend this car. Being me, me and my friends are very serious emergency vehicle videographers/ photographers, and as everyone expects, we have 8 people total and a lot of equipment. We rarely carpool in my Highlander, but it is very helpful to have the 3 extra seats, even though you are practically eating your knees back there, 3rd row has a few inches of legroom at most, but its fine. It can always meet my needs and carry my friends and camera equipment, I like the sunroof even though I forget about it all the time. Great car overall

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  The UN-SUV - 2004 Toyota Prius
  By E. OConnor-Barnes - September 2 - 12:16 am

  This car was worth the 7 month wait and added price. It is compact but roomy and has plenty of power. I buy gas once a month and drive silently, for the most part. Its a great feeling knowing that I am doing my part for the planet and I have the Toyota name behind me. Of course, I did wait for the 2nd generation.

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  Lovin the Toy! - 2005 Toyota Tacoma
  By john - September 1 - 6:43 pm

  Had the truck for 1 month and IÂ’m loving it. Great design, both inside and out. Very solid, safe and responsive. Car-like ride. Live in mountainous area and the truck supplies more than ample power to climb the steepest hills at any speed desired. Thrilled with the SR5 package. Truck is running flawlessly. 4WD pulled me through plenty of snow with no loss of control. Love the roomy quite interior! Back seats are roomy enough to seat adults very comfortably. I have a 40mi one-way commute to work, ~70% highway, and IÂ’m getting a steady 20mpg. I traded in my 1994 Toyota 4x4 extended cab with 207,000mi (purchased new with NO major problems for the duration) I received over 2k for the trade!

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  Excellent car for the price - 2007 Toyota Avalon
  By Sharad Patel - September 1 - 3:56 am

  I had a Lexus 2005 ES 330 - not happy at all after 25000 miles, traded to 2006 Honda Accord - ok, finally found Avalon XL 2007, very very happy. Drove 1000 miles so far, I will keep this car at least up to 100,000 miles. Excellent car for the price. This car does not have MP3 cd changer or iPod input which is my strong requirement, however got Harman-Kardon gadget installed that plays iPod. I strongly suggest to test drive this car before you spend lots of money some place else. I rate this car almost 9.8, very comfortable and really fun to drive compared to my previous two new cars I bought. I drive ~20000 miles in a year and need comfortable car, this will do the job.

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  AIR LEAKS/BAD BRAKES - 2009 Toyota Tacoma
  By Bob nebeker - August 31 - 3:53 pm

  The rear doors leak air and water, The brakes go to the floor, The radio comes on and off whenever. Other then that it could be a nice Vic.