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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  Solid truck with good mileage - 2008 Toyota Tacoma
  By JJD - August 31 - 11:26 am

  I finally sold my 91 Toyota Pickup for a new Taco after failing to find a used 4 cyl, manual, 2wd, extended cab one used for anywhere near a reasonable price. My old pickup was still getting 35 mpg highway when I sold it at 160000 miles. But the extra cab space and comfort is great. After almost a year with the new truck I really like this truck. With a camper cap on the bed and at 69 MPH I get a solid 30 MPG on trips. Around home I still get a respectable 25MPG, although I drive with efficiency on my mind. Performance is adequate and the handling is mushy compared to my old Pickup, but the ride is much better and the interior is much more comfortable.

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  Beware of a Few Things Before Pruchase - 2005 Toyota RAV4
  By mikeb - August 31 - 6:53 am

  My RAV is actually an 04, but I feel that I should share my experience. I liked the vehicle at first, but several things began to bug me. First, I found the front seats front seats to be very uncomfortable if driving more than 30 minutes, and so did my passengers. Second, the back seat has horrible leg room - a problem if you have back seat passengers on a regular basis. Third, the rear hatch door seems flimsy and items fall out too easily. Also, the cabin seemed to cramped - and I am only 58" and 150lbs. My previous car was a Civic and somehow the cabin of the RAV seems smaller!I traded my RAV in for a 05 Honda CRV SE - much better vehicle over all - tons more room!

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  What a change! - 2009 Toyota Corolla
  By gd - August 31 - 1:36 am

  Until recently I owned three BMWs and love the "Its about the ride", but do not love it is about the money and the maintenance, so my stable has changed and I am down to one old 318i. That said, the little S is fantastic, no heated seats, but automatic lights, JBL stereo with Bluetooth for the phone to be legal and best of all appears primarily only oil changes ever 5k until about 150k miles and that is so unlike a BMW. The reliability factor is worth the change. OK it doesnt drive like a BMW but again 35 plus miles per gallon and in this economy, it just made sense.

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  Priusaurus - 2004 Toyota Prius
  By Priusaurus - August 31 - 1:30 am

  I traded in a Ford Explorer for my Prius. This was one of the most intelligent, consumer moves Ive ever made in my 49 years. I will buy another one as soon as I pay this one off. I live on a 1/2 mile, rugged, dirt road in Northern California and with a Prius, I realized, I no longer need 4-wheel drive or the high-rise SUV profile. The Prius handles the dirt and snow just fine. We have traveled for four hours with five people in the Prius and we all agreed, comfort was spectacular! The navigation system is an added bonus. I will never buy another car without it. We average 43 mpg around town, but have gotten up to 56 mpg on long trips to Mt. Shast and Lake Tahoe. Excellent car!

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  Great Truck - 2006 Toyota Tundra
  By GO TRD!!! - August 30 - 8:00 pm

  I just picked up my truck in Feb. 2006 and WOW. This is a really nice vehicle. I have driven for work many of its competitors, but none of those trucks have the get-up and go like the Tundra. I have been in the auto industry for quite some time and never really paid much attention to the Tundra. But while doing some research on Edmunds I was educated, and now am a happy owner of the Sliver Sky SR5 Toyota Tundra. All I can say is great truck and fun to drive!!!

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  Bought the 5 yr 100 mile warranty - 2005 Toyota 4Runner
  By val - August 30 - 5:03 pm

  I like to keep my cars the life of the warranty or the years I buy whichever comes first. This car is a jewel and I love driving it. Compares well with my sisters Lexus SUV for performance. Wasnt cheap, I bought everything I could to enhance my enjoyment but Im using the frills and loving my ride and the perks. This is a car that will way outlast my warranty and the years ...

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  Used Toyota Good Value? - 2000 Toyota Avalon
  By cyberdeviant - August 30 - 3:23 pm

  Ok first off this isnt my car, its my fathers, I am in transition to a new car and drive this car to and from school (100 mile commute) This car is reliable and has a near smooth ride but thats all it has going for it. The thing rattles like no other car Ive owned. This includes the dash, all 4 doors, seats make squeaky noise, center console rattles when stopped. The one thing I like about it is the stereo is decent but any louder than normal voice volume and the doors rattle insistently. This car rattles more than my old 89 Toyota pickup 4x4. The car (when purchased) had an oil jelling problem and luckily it was a recall and Toyota fixed it no charge. Thought Toyota lasted but not this car.

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  Best car on the market - 2005 Toyota Prius
  By Mike Rankin - August 30 - 1:06 pm

  This is the best car I have ever owned!!! It was worth the 6 month wait to get it. It does not, however, get 60 city and 51 highway. I am getting between 47-51 mpg but I am plenty happy with that. I was surprised at the pickup for this hybrid. We got the total package with all the bells and whistles to include the navigator. Well worth the money and the wait. If GM doesnt get with this program then they are truly being run by dinosaurs. I never thought I would own anything but an American car but they simply cannot compare with the Toyota.

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  Initial impressions - 2010 Toyota Prius
  By lamike1 - August 30 - 12:11 pm

  We bought it to get great gas mileage and thats what it does. After driving on 1 tank, we averaged 45 mpg...yeah, its not the 48/51 as stated on the EPA but I can definitely live with 45 mpg when gas is creeping to $4/gal. Also, dont let people tell you otherwise, there is plenty of space in this car. No its not a minivan or an SUV but its spacious enough for a family of 4. I plan to write a review a year from now on it but initial first impressions are definitely very positive!

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  Great car- crappy nav system - 2013 Toyota Avalon Hybrid
  By kslj1234 - August 30 - 12:00 pm

  Here is a problem I never thought about before this car- how good is a near luxury vehicle if the computer runs crapware? I have had my esthetically pleasing and beautifully driving Avalon hybrid for less than a month and have had the nav system replaced, repaired and retuned twice. The Entune idea is a good one but I am convinced it is buggering up the on-board computer. Still not resolved but I am hopeful this can be fixed...