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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  Decent Car, - 1998 Toyota Camry
  By VWGUY - July 29 - 2:00 am

  Decent Car, but not worth the original purchase price. For a 4 year car, some of the plastic parts inside of the car are starting to break, without too much use. It seems like cheap plastic. It gets cold in the back seat during winter and windows fog when turn the heat. I didnt like the depretiation either. I bought a Jetta the same year for $5000 less than I paid for the Camry and it is worth more than the Camry now.

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  Decent Car, - 1998 Toyota Camry
  By VWGuy - July 29 - 2:00 am

  Decent Car, but not worth the original purchase price. For a 4 year car, some of the plastic parts inside of the car are starting to break, without too much use. It seems like cheap plastic. It gets cold in the back seat during winter and windows fog when turn the heat. I didnt like the depretiation either. I bought a Jetta the same year for $5000 less than I paid for the Camry and it is worth more than the Camry now.

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  WELL, ITS NOT A VETTE! - 2000 Toyota Camry
  By JAMES G - July 29 - 2:00 am

  Hey, I didnt buy this car for blowing away other cars on the freeway, after all, I live in Phoenix and because of rush hour, dont drive over 4 mph. I bought this car used with 53,000 miles on it. The car was a leased vehicle and well taken care of. We just had our first baby, so I wanted a car with quality, not so much style and class. So far so good, the car now has 60000 miles on it, and besides changing the oil a couple times, no other maintenance required. Good car for a family, not Evil Keneval.

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  great suv - 2002 Toyota Highlander
  By jim p - July 29 - 2:00 am

  2 months -very happy

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  Quiet & Smooth Ride - 2003 Toyota Camry
  By Peter Rhee - July 29 - 2:00 am

  Smoothest and quitest of the mid size segment, Best Pick in off set crash test results. Friend and honest prices at Miller Toyota. A styling car with classy interior layout and easy to see and read with Toyota reputation!

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  whats next? - 2000 Toyota Tacoma
  By stressed - July 29 - 12:33 am

  my 1st and last toyota?h2o has leaked into the driver side floor board (3)times.1st the dealer service addvisor says its a seam that wasnt sealed properly.2nd i saw h2o leaking through a bracket.3rd through the driver side door.the carpet has been replaced but there is still an oder.they put it on the ozone mach.but that made it smell like an old carboard box.only myself and anyone outside the dealership can smell an oder.i bought a toyota "for peace of mind".but its been anything but that.

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  Best truck ever! - 2011 Toyota Tacoma
  By itsmatthew - July 28 - 11:16 pm

  I have been shopping around for a new truck for over a year now. I have test drove and researched every single one and this is by far the best truck out there. I was initially looking for a full size for my 4 kids but with the double cab, their carseats fit with ease. The interior is very nice and the seats are the most comfortable I have ever sat in. If you are going to get it I would highly recommended the TRD Sport package, because it handles like no other. As far as reliability, I cant speak on that for this one (2011), but I did have a 2000 Tacoma for 12 years and it was bullet proof, nothing but normal maintenance until the 125,000 mile spot.

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  Perfect All Around - 2007 Toyota Highlander
  By msw66 - July 28 - 9:16 pm

  I traded in my 99 Yukon for one of the remaining 07s since the redesigned 08s hit dealers this month. The vehicle is everything I thought it would be and more. I tested the new CR-V and found some inherent design issues with it. For what the Highlander is, a small-mid size SUV I think it couldnt be better. Power, MPG, interior layout, comfort, handling all are tops. Im so pleased I was able to get what I wanted with regards to color and options, very few were remained in the Southwest.

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  4Runner after 9000 miles - 2005 Toyota 4Runner
  By L.R.Burfield - July 28 - 8:53 pm

  Excellent in snow and ice, better fuel economy than I expected (17-18 mpg) Solid feel on highway at speed, very quiet inside cabin. Good layout for driver. Rear seats fold very nicely for added cargo room. Tire pressure warning light needs temperature compensation, as it glows when outside temp drops into the teens. Love the heated seats. Quality inside and out. Sound system is tops.Tach dial view is partly blocked on right side

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  128,000+ miles and counting - 2007 Toyota Yaris
  By BrilliantName - July 28 - 3:13 pm

  Bought my Yaris 4 years ago for combination of $$$, MPG, and proven Toyota reliability. Today, the car owes me nothing. Ive driven over 128,000 miles including two-month long cross-country car-camping trip last year that included 2 weeks in Alaska. Car still has original brakes, shocks - everything. Great car and simply cannot beat the value.