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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  Not a bad car - 2009 Toyota Corolla
  By Donna - July 22 - 5:53 am

  I had a 2001 VW jetta before I bought this car and it was quite a sturdy and solid drive even in string wind, however not nearly as reliable as the 2009 Corolla LE. But the corolla LE is not that sturdy even with VSC option. I still sway quite a bit driving across highway bridges when its windy. Interior is cheap plastic and not enough lighting at night. I have 9,000 miles on it and so far no mechanical issues.

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  Bought on Reputation alone - 2006 Toyota Corolla
  By ruffy25 - July 22 - 1:31 am

  Before I went car shopping, I did extensive research on several Makes and Models. Its a lot of money to spend impulsively after all. I decided on Toyota after test driving a Ford Fiesta, Honda Accord, even a MINI Cooper. I found a 2006 Corolla with only 47,500 miles and bought it, based on reputation of reliability/dependability and Toyota earned it. It was a bit pricey, but holds value very well. Decent acceleration for a 1.8Liter, and economy is superb, especially with my driving habits. I enjoy seeing how much I can squeeze out of a tank, and have gotten as much a 44mpg. yes, 44..but I did have a strong tail-wind and no grade for nearly 100 miles on a lonely S. Calif desert road.

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  new owner - 2005 Toyota Corolla
  By lprp - July 22 - 12:30 am

  As a new Non-American company automobile owner I have to say I am impressed. The build quality is exceptional. I am having a blast driving the Corolla. Just wish I had made the decision to purchase the vehicle earlier. Could have saved us a lot. I drive 26 to 30 miles a year, and if the fuel efficiency I have seen so far continues it will pay for itself in less time than the financing. Toyota makes an awesome product. I am a happy convert.

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  GPS Madness - 2009 Toyota Avalon
  By Avalon Grandma - July 21 - 2:53 pm

  The GPS is the worst. Extremely user unfriendly. Many important POIs are missing. Per Toyota many were removed to make more map space. Toyota admits that the Avalon has the original GPS designed for the 2003 model. No wonder it is antiquated. Toyota will not stand behind the device. Says it was designed to specs. Ive asked them to take the vehicle back and replace it with another without GPS. They consistently refuse. Suggested guidance for the same route varies. Guidance for one route sometimes goes 15 miles out of the way.

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  Try it, youll like it. - 2009 Toyota Highlander
  By happy one - July 21 - 2:36 pm

  Go test drive them all, but you will come back to the Highlander if you want an easy to drive SUV with lots of power and feel on the road. There are other things to like about the vehicle as it stands new, but well see how it holds up.

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  The Best Car I have ever owned - 2004 Toyota Matrix
  By Michael Jutt - July 21 - 10:26 am

  I love this car it has been great for getting me from A to B. Along with helping me move to a new location with its large capacity by flipping down the back seats. Overall a great car.

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  A Great Daily Driver - 1995 Toyota Camry
  By twinturboZ32 - July 21 - 5:23 am

  I purchased a 5 speed Camry just this past November. This was to be my winter car and new daily driver. I must say it was perfect timing with the snow we had in northern VA this year. I bought it for $2,000 with 113,000 miles, you cant beat that. I had a 1993 Camry in college and I donated it with 240,000 miles. These cars can go past 200K miles easily. When I got mine I did the 60k service; timing belt, water pump, oil seals. I also put in a new radiator. I paid $1,000 for all of this work. So for $3,000 I have a good working beater car. My other car is a 1993 Nissan Twin Turbo 300zx. The Camry doesnt compare in terms of performance. But, I averaged 30 mpg highway on my last trip.

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  Prius meets specs - 2005 Toyota Prius
  By AKB - July 21 - 4:26 am

  In hilly Vermont I can average over 55mpg on long trips. The Prius is a delight to drive.

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  Only one complaint - 2005 Toyota Matrix
  By Ralz - July 19 - 5:53 pm

  I traded in a GMC Suburban and wanted a "big" car - its height and spacious interior are great and there is a lot of storage room especially with the seats folded down. even very tall passengers are comfortable in the back seat. it gave me zero trouble during the worst snowstorms of our Canadian winters and actually surprised me by how well it handled snowstorm-highway- driving. only complaint is LOTS of noise when driving at high speeds on the highway. so noisy that passengers in the back cannot hear a word of the conversation going on in the front seats.

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  Good, but overpriced. - 2000 Toyota 4Runner
  By pmn - July 19 - 3:26 pm

  Ive had this for 5 years and overall it has been reliable, although it once failed to start at -15 degrees, died on the interstate for five minutes, and misc things have broken. Off road capability is excellent. MPG is poor considering size and modest power, ride is pretty rough, terrible in a cross wind, and overall comfort is below average. Not nearly enough enough power to comfortably tow what it claims. Paid a premium price due to reputation for reliability, and for the most part has not disappointed there. But resale today isnt all that great. For my actual cost out of pocket I could have driven a significantly nicer (and larger) vehicle the past 5 years.