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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  Functional and fun! - 2011 Toyota Sienna
  By ginzero - November 20 - 7:36 am

  I have two kids and our Rav4 was just too cramped. Also needed to carry visitors/cargo and go on long road trips. Test drove 2010 Dodge Caravan and Odyssey. The Sienna had smoother shifting of the three and had the most power. Cabin noise was less than the Caravan and about the same as the Odyssey. The Caravan had the most interior function of the three. I went with with a 3 year lease and the Sienna was the best value for my needs. I think the LE is the sweet spot model for the Siennas; lots of features for $28k. The SE model drives slightly better but its a mini-van, if you want performance look elsewhere. If you want a people mover get this. +1000 miles 20 mpg avg.

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  4runner - 1997 Toyota 4Runner
  By delius - November 19 - 10:00 am

  In 75,000 mi have only had to buy tires and do the 60,000 mi maintenance(timing belt, plugs, etc.). Otherwise noservice was needed except the oil & filter changes. Have some problems with the trailer lighting hook up module and have had it replaced three times.

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  Great Vehicle, not sure about dealer... - 2001 Toyota Highlander
  By speedway66 - November 19 - 10:00 am

  Great vehicle. Chose a FWD V6 model in granite blue, well-equipped but not "loaded". Only problem was a salesman who was clueless beyond belief. The price went up after we ordered, and we could never get a straight story on where the vehicle was or when we were getting it ("on a ship, on a train, on a truck, on a train..."). When we finally got it, we loved it. Only quality problem is an air leak around side rear window that 2 visits to the dealership still havent fixed. Also,when rear windows are open (even slightly), it sounds like were riding in a helicopter. Dealer said "theyre all like that...close the windows and turn up the AC!"

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  A Pleasant Surprise - 2009 Toyota Yaris
  By John - November 18 - 8:20 pm

  My intention was to purchase a Camry because I prefer larger cars but I took a look at the Yaris as a basis of comparison. I was pleasantly surprised with the room this car has inside. Outside it appears very small, esp. the 2-door. This is why I chose the sedan. Inside is really cavernous. It came with ABS & side airbags standard & gas mileage is AMAZING. Quality is great. If it was cheaper by $1000 it would be a perfect 10 in my book.

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  3rd camry bought new - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By David English - November 17 - 10:43 pm

  One of few made in Japan. Bought first available new model sight unseen. New styling strange at first but ok and am now getting used to change. Seats are padded more firmly than previous model but comfortable on trips. New interior is very pleasing to the eye and am happy to have features like tire pressure indicator, side airbags, 4 wheel disc brakes and 16 inch wheels included as standard.

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  Made me a repeat customer - 2017 Toyota Tundra
  By Mac - November 17 - 6:35 pm

  This is now my second tundra. I liked my first one so much I bought a second one. I think is a truck that does just about everything (except fuel economy) pretty damn well. Its not class leading in most respects but it does everything well. My last tundra had experional reliability only repair it had was a water pump replaced under warranty @ 80k miles. So far my 17 has been perfect as it should be sense it only is 2 months old at this point. If you want a truck that gets the best mpg, look else where, if you want massage seats look else where. If you want a reliable truck thats a strong preformer while maintaining expetional reliability the tundra may be the truck for you.

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  better than expected - 2012 Toyota Prius v
  By zig5 - November 17 - 11:26 am

  4400 miles since purchased in july-plenty of room for hauling all kinds of junk-50 mpg over all!! would of been happy with the 44mpg estimate but this was a pleasent surprise-driven in the snowshoe resort area of wv-highway driving to oak island nc and around the island so far

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  Good over all car - 1996 Toyota Corolla
  By Michael - November 16 - 10:20 pm

  I bought this car with 176000 miles on it and the previous owner was an old lady and drove it with the axle almost broken so it messed up the transmission so I had it replaced. Other than that, the car runs and handles well and now it has 190,000 miles on it and the engine still does not burn oil and no leaks. Of course I have to do the regular maintenance. Its a really great car for starters and specially now the gas price is going up again.

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  Loyal Costomer Lost - 2011 Toyota RAV4
  By wov3129 - November 16 - 8:33 pm

  I will never gain buy a Rav 4 and I am doubting if I buy another Toyota. Bad Paint, broken rear-view mirror, pieces falling off my inside and outside my vehicle and no help from Toyota everything is a outside force they cant prove that its a factory defect. WOW Really, my car doesnt have a dent on it on the outside or inside it still smells new and just think my car just made a year old in June 2012 cant wait for another two years to see what else falls off. I have always stood up and preferred Toyota vehicles over any other brand but it seems to only be their older models. It doesnt matter how long the car runs if it has fallen apart before you can put the miles on it is worthleless

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  Is this the future - 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By Silvermagnet - November 16 - 8:33 pm

  What I miss about this car is the tossable effect that my BMW gives. I gave that up to get 38 miles/gal. Maybe in the future, a little more hustle with the same milage will be available. Larger battery, plug ins, larger electric motors, higher level of no ice. Toyota is way ahead of the pack, but for me to drive my wifes car and smile, well I just need a little more muscle.