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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  Dependable car - 2004 Toyota Highlander
  By rodawgs - June 22 - 1:13 pm

  Overall, I am extremely glad I got this car. It was a little more than what I wanted to spend, but all in all, a good quality vehicle.

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  2005 Toytota Camry Xle - 2005 Toyota Camry
  By crewdawg - June 22 - 12:33 pm

  I am very satisfied with this car. The fit and finish is excellent and the ride is very smooth. The 4 cyl performs well and has adequate power for every task. The fuel economy is outstanding. The seats are somewhat stiff and and the stereo is a bit lacking for this upgraded model, but overall this is car is outstanding and has had no reason to return to the dealer for service.

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  Life as a Teenager Driving A Camry... - 2006 Toyota Camry
  By O_o - June 22 - 11:20 am

  I might only be 18 but have owned 3 cars my entire life, a 1993 300zx, an 07 Rav4 and my most recent car, an 06 Toyota Camry (all awesome cars in their own right). This car is not the fastest or best looking car Ive owned, but it is the most comfortable and probably the best built car that 2006 had to offer. I have 80,000 miles on my Camry and it is the only car I plan on keeping until it dies (at the rate this car is going by the time it does die my children would have died because of old age). The car drives like how it did when I drove it off the showroom floor. It doesnt rattle or make any noises whatsoever. This car will cruise at 90 very, very happily all day long. =)

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  Despite shortcomings a great value - 2018 Toyota Avalon
  By James rydwr - June 22 - 4:28 am

  No navigation system to speak of, voice commands dont work most of the time, audio system lacks intuitive controls. Acceleration, handling, comfort and climate control all work well despite poor Dash layout. Salesman was reluctant to discuss the cars audio and navigation operation probably because of past complaints and frustrations. In fact its probably no coincidence that they didnt even give me the book on the navigation and audio system

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  Best car Ive ever owned!!!!!! - 2005 Toyota Corolla
  By James - June 21 - 7:13 pm

  This is my 1st new car!!!!! I was reluctant to purchase a toyota because I have always owned american. My wife convinced me to buy our new corolla. We have only owned the car for about a month but so far is has been excellent. We went from a SUV which was getting about 16 MPG to almost 40 MPG. There is plenty of room inside the car and the price was lower than I thought we could get a new car for. The dealer was very helpful and did not get overbearing to sell the car. So far I am very pleased with our purchase.

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  The shag wag - 2016 Toyota Sienna
  By Chris Fanning - June 21 - 7:04 pm

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  So far, so good - 2008 Toyota Matrix
  By satisfied9 - June 21 - 8:51 am

  Driven it for 2 weeks and its OK so far. 1) It has adequate acceleration despite having only a 1.8L engine (no cargo/people). 2) Dashboard gauges OK except reading speed gets a little fuzzy when between 60 & 80 (only in increments of 20) so you may have to glance at it more then once (distracting) if you dont want to go over the limit. 3) Location of transmission stick is too close to climate control knobs especially when in park (no hand room) 4) Daylight running headlights (dashboard light) always on which I found annoying/confusing but getting use to. Considering getting it disabled if I go with better bulbs for night driving. 5) Noisy/feel road when driving - tolerable

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  4-Runner - 1999 Toyota 4Runner
  By Alison - June 20 - 10:50 pm

  This has been the best vehicle I have ever owned. It is extremely dependable. I have never had a mechanical problem in the 5+ years Ive owned it. A little more room in the backseat would be nice. Its a little small for travel.

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  Wonderful - 2009 Toyota RAV4
  By Picky Picky - June 20 - 10:13 pm

  My wife and I researched for over 2 months for the right vehicle for us. With a large breed dog that travels will us frequently, we needed the cargo space, and the low loading dock. We got everything we asked for in the cargo space, and the handles to put the rear seats down was one of the features we love the most. The V6 has tons of power. We test drove the 4Cyl also, which has plenty of power as well, but was just a bit too noisy. I wouldnt say the seats are "uncomfortable", but without a power seat Im still trying to find the right position. There seems to be SO much space all around. And the rear seats that fold flat make it all that much better. Love my Rav.

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  Glare on glass convering odometer & speedometer - 2016 Toyota Corolla
  By Linda - June 20 - 10:01 pm

  This is a wonderful, beautiful car (once you get past the steer wheel being so busy) except for 2 things. 1st thing is the bluetooth for your phone. The air conditioner vent must be pointed downward and the AC fan turned down to one or 2 notches or whoever you are talking to cannot hear anything but wind as if your window is open. But by far the BIGGEST problem is an engineering defect on the glass covering the odometer and speedometer. Unlike my husbands Camry, there is no hooding on the dashboard that overshadows the glass over the odometer or speedometer, and in certain conditions, even though the window tinting is wonderful. the sun glares on the odometer and speedometer, making them unreadable and there is no digital odometer, so you have no idea what speed you are going & leaning over and trying to see takes your eyes off of the road where you can easily swerve into incoming traffic, etc.