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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  mini-suv (not just a second car) - 2005 Toyota Prius
  By MGG - December 18 - 12:33 pm

  Apart from all the hype about mileage (all true), cool new technology, and styling, the real story about the 2005 Toyota Prius is its versatility as a primary vehicle for large families. Deceptively stylish on the outside, comfortably cozy on the inside, and compact and maneuverable enough to fit into tight parking spaces, the Prius is also capable of carrying awkward and oversized loads that wouldnt fit into many SUVs. After a year of extensive driving in all sorts of weather (snow, ice, rain, heat) and terrain (mountains, coastlines, rural gravel roads, freeways, city streets), this vehicle averaged 53 mpg overall after 15,000 miiles, with one-tank averages between 48 and 66 mpg.

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  My Prius Experience - 2006 Toyota Prius
  By Sparkle - December 18 - 7:16 am

  I love the fuel economy, the comfort of the back of the drivers seat, windshield visibilty. Its fun to drive. Improvements needed: --The inside back-up beep, beep, beep distracts my visual concentration. I strongly dislike this feature and I would feel safer without it. --The forward visual field of the low beam headlamps cuts off far too short as soon as the car begins a downgrade. I dont like this. --The drivers seat bottom (of the car) needs to be more cushy My butt and legs are uncomfortable after 1/2 hours on the road. --I havent seen 60mpg except for a few seconds after filling the car up with gas. I avg. about 50 mpg. I am still happy to be driving a Prius!

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  Love This Car - 2007 Toyota Camry Solara
  By Calif. Sunshine - December 18 - 3:10 am

  Bought this brand new two weeks ago, and boy what fun! I love to go topless, yet cannot believe how quiet it is when the top is up! Its so much fun to drive and handles so well. It took me months to find one though and I had about given up looking. I hear it is being discontinued? What a shame, as the SLE model just doesnt have the "sporty" look to it. If you can find one - buy it quick. I may be 60 but I still want the "sporty" look - and this one has it!

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  Shes my baby! - 2001 Toyota Tacoma
  By Carl B - December 17 - 9:33 pm

  This is my third Toyota pick up; Ive owned 1 1986 1/2 ton and now 2 Tacomas. My 2001 Tacoma Pre-runner Doublecab is still as exciting to drive as the day I drove it off the lot. Fuel economy with the 2.7L 4 cylinder (which isnt offered in the new Tacoma Pre-Runner Doublecabs by the way) is absolutely outstanding (around 25 to 28 hwy and 20 to 22 city) if I dont drive like a maniac. Ill neve give up this truck; its the best vehicle Ive ever owned.

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  Good combination of features - 2003 Toyota Tacoma
  By maxwellhammer - December 17 - 3:23 am

  2.4L automatic, extended cab 2WD SR5. So far, Im getting 25 mpg. The smallest engine available, but has perfectly adequate power. This is the first year for standard ABS, which was a hard to find option. I searched forever for these features in a used truck, really glad I found it. I hear the 05 and newer Tacomas dont have as good build quality, theyre larger and dont offer the 2.4L. If youre looking for great reliability and mileage, Id get an 03 or 04.

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  Watch out - 2005 Toyota Tundra
  By sniper - December 16 - 4:10 pm

  if you like driving a truck and want to have fun driving on and offroad, give it a try. Handles like a cadillac. This is americas newest favorite truck for work or play.

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  We RAV Toyota - 2005 Toyota RAV4
  By Faithfully Yours - December 16 - 10:40 am

  My wife and I drove no car but Toyotas in last 30 years. RAV4 AWD is another great hit. Traction is so good that we no longer shovel snow on the drive way. Acceleration is remarkable given the size of the engine. Antilock brake is so effective on all road conditions, shine or rain.

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  Hybrid Model - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By Bobby - December 15 - 4:03 pm

  The car now has 4800 miles and has been very reliable. I notice when the gas motor starts when running electric mode, more than I thought I would but not very noticable. I actually get better highway mileage than sticker show. My best is 46 but can almost always get at least 42. City driving is 39.5 almost always. GPS is accurate but not as easy to use as previous models. This is 3rd car with GPS. Ride is very good and handling nimble enough.

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  I think a lot of you missed the boat... - 2009 Toyota Camry
  By noobosaurusrex - December 15 - 3:16 pm

  270HP, 0-60 in 5.8secs?? Whats not to love? Ive beat Mustang GTs (thats right, the 300HP V8s) in this thing. I went for the fully loaded Camry SE, only thing I didnt get was a sunroof bc it takes away ur overall headspace. Seats are comfortable, its got sporty firm perforated leather, not soft wrinkly XLE leather. I see alot of people complaining about this car, but in all honesty, if you take care of it, things tend to stay new. I upgraded my interior to an ash colored wood grain. So it looks good with the black leather and silver accents. Its a V6..I bought it for style not for fuel economy...then again my other car is a 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 (11mpg) :O

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  Mr. Economy - 2003 Toyota Prius
  By Steve L - December 15 - 10:00 am

  This automobile is very comfortable ahd quiet. My average fuel economy is 44 mpg with the majority of trips being 3.5 miles to and from work. I have read other reviews of the cars poor handling but I find those views to be untrue. This car hugs the twisties and is very predictable in its responses. Power is marginal but adequate. Passing power band is acceptable with a top speed of 104 mph on level road. Top mpg Ive gotten was 53. The feel of the car is much larger that its footprint suggests. The car I was going to get before looking at the Prius was a Mini Cooper. Glad I got the Prius though I still have the "motoring" philosophy.