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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  Better Gas Mileage Than Expected - 2011 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
  By chicagojerry - June 28 - 10:22 pm

  I have been getting over 30 mpg on nearly every tank of gas. Once or twice around 32 mpg, based on hand calculations. The hand calculations average 1 mpg less than the computer values. The trick to high gas mileage is to pay attention to the display and try not to waste gas by accelerating and braking. Every time you brake you are wasting the gas you used in accelerating. The interior is cavernous for a vehicle getting this mileage. Highway mileage is over 30 mpg if you stay below 65 with just yourself driving. It drops to 27 if you are going 75 with the family a bags loaded in. AC and heat affect mileage because they may require the engine to run when not accelerating.

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  A great car! - 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By Grandpa - June 28 - 6:46 pm

  We just purchased a Hybrid Camry. We want to use the car on the long trips to our daughters. We just took the car on a 750 mile trip out west. The car performed great. We used 17 gallons of gas. We drove the speed limit 70 miles per hour on the interstate and other posted limits in towns, etc. The car was loaded with luggage and gifts for our family. I was amazed at the mileage going out, so I was even more careful to note amount of gas used and miles coming back. Sure enough we drove the 750 miles on 17 gallons coming back.

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  2006 Avalon - 2006 Toyota Avalon
  By Mrs Smith - June 28 - 6:00 pm

  The cabin is spacious and the acceleration is wonderful. Every feature is right at your finger tips. You do not hear outside noise and the chassis takes bumps well.

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  Great Car! - 2003 Toyota RAV4
  By allysonb - June 28 - 5:22 pm

  Just traded in my 2007 Ford F-150 for the Rav4 to get better fuel economy. I was a little hesitant going from a v8 to a 4 cyl., but this car did not dissapoint! I recently had a spinal fusion and I can drive this car all day without it bothering my back. I am also a single mom of a two year old, this car has room enough for him and all of his "gear" as well as another friend. The gas mileage is great(especialy compared to my F-150).

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  need for speed - 1997 Toyota Celica
  By Johnny D - June 28 - 10:00 am

  i bought this car with plans to turn it in to a pocket rocket, i suppose that is my only dissapointment. toyota marketted the celica as an economy car in america, using heads with smaller valves gives them the awesome gas millage they get. but for speed enthusiasts like myself, we have to spend twice as much as honda and acura owners to get the HP we desire. but i love the look and the suspention is great, especially with a set of TRD springs, and i have done a few performance mods that have probably put me up to the GT models status, but untill i change the heads ill never have the power i originally intended it to have.

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  Viewpoint - 2002 Toyota 4Runner
  By Sac State - June 28 - 10:00 am

  Great reliable vehicle. Fun to drive, responsive, nice full-time 4WD system.

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  Toyota Transmission? - 1994 Toyota Corolla
  By trump - June 28 - 10:00 am

  I bought this vehicle used with just under 100,000km on it. I must say that it has performed well for most of the last four and half years with only standard maintenance and new tires. It has been dependable until this spring when transmission problems at about 225,000km necessitated its replacement by "my" mechanic with the concurrence of the local Toyota dealer. This seems to be an anomoly for Toyota drivetrains but it does happen.

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  A maintenance nightmare - 1993 Toyota Camry
  By Bradford - June 28 - 10:00 am

  I bought it in November. Since then I have had to replace the axles, cv joints because the boot ripped. I have also had to replace the transmission, the water, makes noise now. The radiator went bad and I replace that. Now the head gasket one out and that needs to be replaced. I have never ever had so much trouble with a car. With everybody saying so many wonderful things about these cars I think that it is strange that Ive had so many problems. Oh and by the way the steering is making sounds. The trunk was also leaking water into it. The whole wheel well filled up.

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  Great But... - 2000 Toyota Echo
  By KevinJackson - June 28 - 10:00 am

  The Car is great but this car makes you CAR SICK easy after a while. It does NOT have a clock inside!

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  Excellent ugly car - 2002 Toyota Camry
  By mailinh - June 28 - 10:00 am

  This is a great car for its class, except that for some reason, Toyota decided to ugly it up some. It looks like a whale made out of Jello. A friend actually bought one (not me), but I think Im going to get a used 01 Camry. Obviously, the assorted sqeaks, rattles, and vibes that some people are getting are due to the new body design (and doors, trunk, hood, etc.) not having been widely tested yet. The inside will be as quiet as a mouse next year. : )