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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  Consider - 2009 Toyota Highlander
  By Jacob - May 17 - 4:13 am

  Considered Acura MDX and Lexus RX, Toyota highlander was a wise choice. Bit boring inside and out but still is a modern design. Love the ride quality but hate a single headlight config. that functions as day-time-running light, low-beam, and high-beam. Toyota should really consider replacing it with HID system. After all, it cost over 30k and almost 40k for fully load AWD sport model. Nav screen is not clear/vivid, perhaps due to touch screen? Did I mention the ride is awesome? I suggest ordering black leather/cloth interior since other color look cheap. Go test drive MDX and RX. If you need a roomier car, highlander should be your pick. If you care more for styling, then others.

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  Great vehicle - 2008 Toyota 4Runner
  By 4runner - May 17 - 12:23 am

  Came out of a Honda Accord and was worried about the comfort of an SUV, so I looked at the Highlander but wasnt that impressed with the sytling. Tried the 4Runner and fell in love with the comfort and ride. I purchased the Limited 4 wheel drive model and could not be happier. If you like to fish or go to out of the way areas, this is the vehicle to choose.

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  Just love it... - 2015 Toyota RAV4
  By Thomas Hornick - May 16 - 4:33 pm

  The gas mileage is average for a vehicle of its size. We have not had it long enough to judge the reliability. But it is a great SUV, plenty of leg room (I am 6 - 1") as I can rally get comfortable in it, the interior is well laid out, love the way they did the leather, the ride is great, handles great for a vehicle its size. It is just the perfect SUV for my wife, dog and I. It is a fun vehicle to drive. Love the AWD (were in a very bad rain storm the other day and it handled outstanding, no problems with the wet roads).

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  Wish we could buy 2 more - 2012 Toyota Prius c
  By merkel - May 16 - 12:31 pm

  Purchased our C 2 on Halloween 2012 after much research , car trying & bargaining with dealers. We needed to save GAS $$ because one of us was driving 12 hours every weekend & with 2 kids in college - budget was tight. Non of the other gas saving , budget cars felt just right until this one. We went for the 2 because the extra $$ for the 3 didnt seem to be worth it for us. After 9 months & about 24,000 miles , we are VERY happy with this car & are surprised by how much fun it is to drive. In the beginning we would have competitions to see who would get the best ECO score & MPG- if you go totally EV for long stretches 99 MPG is possible. Now we just drive & get 44-51 MPG. Save over $200 pm

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  Love Galactic Gray - 2007 Toyota 4Runner
  By rush - May 16 - 9:40 am

  After looking at every SUV out there we decided on the 4Runner mainly because of Toyotas reliability. The back window is great if you have dogs! We love everything about the car. There is one problem that we have found, when we first got the vehicle there was a constant rotten egg smell, it since has gone away for the most part but is still there occasionally. We have tried different grades of gas and nothing seems to help.

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  Transmission Stinks - 2008 Toyota Tundra
  By Miker - May 16 - 9:30 am

  Ive now owned brand new Fords, Chevys and this Toyota. The Chevy was the most comfortable, but had terrible brakes. The Ford had the worst gas mileage and the Toyota is about to get traded for the most annoying transmission in the world! That downshifting is ridiculous!! Who are they kidding, this is not the Toyota of 10 years ago. I wont buy another.

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  Nice ride - 2015 Toyota Venza
  By victor ranieri - May 15 - 8:49 pm

  They dont make them anymore

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  Drive a Prius - 2003 Toyota Prius
  By RLG - May 15 - 11:06 am

  Our vehicle mileage just went over 100,000 miles. This car is amazing. We have averaged about 50 mpg for almost eight years. Its so quiet.

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  Great with the top down only - 2006 Toyota Camry Solara
  By murphydurphy - May 15 - 10:00 am

  We bought the car during the summer months. Should have driven the car with the top up. Impossible to see on the sides. I hate driving at night due to the terrible blind spots. We have owned other convertibles never had blind spots as bad as this Camry. With the top down its great. But we live in the Midwest so the top is not down a whole lot. I hope Toyota works on the blind spot problems. If anyone test drives this car they need to drive with the top up as well as down. Be careful. I have almost cut off many people due to the blind spots. Added the little round mirrors on the side mirrors to help with this problem. Most likely would not buy another Camry convert.

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  2008 Sport AWD - 2008 Toyota Highlander
  By Max - May 15 - 12:00 am

  I have been looking for cars and reading their specs for 8 months. I decided to wait for the 2008 Highlander and the Nissan Rogue. Although I loved the Rogue my husband complained that his knees/legs hit the center console! I needed these things in a car: comfort, good economy for the vehicle size, takes regular unleaded gas, enough instant pickup to get on the freeway, decent warranty. The V-6 offers as much power as did my V-8 Mountaineer. I am averaging 21 mpg so far. The comfort is not the best but better than most short seated cars in this price range.