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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  4 Runner w/ 86K Rocks - 1997 Toyota 4Runner
  By lowcountrypcnerd - April 4 - 10:00 am

  I bought this in with 36k miles on it. It has been outstanding. The only $$ spent outside regular service has been for shocks/struts. Driven from Charleston, SC to Cape Cod and back twice! Comfortable trip going and coming. Load up the dogs, the kayaks, the bikes and oh yeah, the wife, and hit the road!

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  Good - 1999 Toyota Corolla
  By jsleesi - April 4 - 10:00 am

  Engine makes valve noise start in the morning. Dealer told me it is normal.

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  Cant beat Toyota Reliability - 2002 Toyota Tundra
  By Rush PIKE - April 4 - 10:00 am

  With all truck prices costing about the same (not too big of a difference), the reliability of a Toyota is what attracted me to this truck. I bought it on Memorial Day, trading in my 1996 Camaro RS. It was quite a change, but I am glad I made it. The large ground clearance is phenomenal and I actually find it harder to go the speed limit than I did in the Camaro! An unbelievably smooth ride for a truck, and an overall great vehicle.

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  Engineering errors and Ergonomics - 2000 Toyota Avalon
  By Disillusioned - April 4 - 10:00 am

  Sun shining from above and behind hits instrument cluster glass, reflects up on windshield and back into drivers eyes. Second problem is that you cannot shut the center air vents without turning off all four vents. If not shut off cold air chills the drivers right arm or if directed up, chills his bald head. . I . Also cant read the info panel unless tthe sun shine right on it. Dangerous as I must take my eyes off teh road to read the symbols.

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  LOTS FOR YOUR MONEY - 2003 Toyota Matrix
  By UMP/REF - April 4 - 10:00 am

  FOR THE MONEY - ITS THE CAR TO GET!! GREAT RIDE - LOTS OF ROOM - SPORTY FOR A 4 DOOR - I LOVE IT.

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  1999 Camry - 1999 Toyota Camry
  By Camry - April 4 - 10:00 am

  A very reliable, dependable, if unexciting auto. Does every thing that is expected..good design.not flashy, but attractive. Never any problems, all that it wants is gas and oil changes. Should keep going for a long time..

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  Tacoma 4-dr PreRunner - 2002 Toyota Tacoma
  By wjm0003 - April 4 - 10:00 am

  Awsome compact. Best small truck of the major ones on the market.

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  Former Xplorer - Happy Highlander - 2002 Toyota Highlander
  By Ken & Ann - April 4 - 10:00 am

  Owned 3 Explorers and driven them a total of 260,000 miles and still going. We bought my wife a Highlander and the three Explorers sit in the driveway on the weekend while everyone fights for the Highlander. Awesome ride for an SUV. We will keep one Explorer for the deep woods hunting trips. Road trips - we will choose the Highlander!

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  Rough Ride - 2015 Toyota RAV4
  By EM from Daly City - April 4 - 3:01 am

  I gave my reliable 10 year old Lexus ES330 to my son & bought the 2015 Rav 4. I have been driving my Rav 4 for almost a year now and so far reliability has been great, its what I would expect from Toyota. I chose the 2015 Rav 4 over the Honda CR-V for the Rav 4s exterior styling although the CR-V that I saw at the Honda dealership had a nicer interior. I must say I am quite dissapointed with the 2015 Rav 4s rough ride and engine noise in city-suburban driving but highway driving is a lot smoother and quieter. I am getting around 20-21mpg in suburban driving, and around 25mpg on the so-called real life highway driving with most of the time just me and my wife in the vehicle. City Toyota Dealership Service Department in Daly City, California is fine, but it is not the top notch, luxurious and quiet Lexus Service Department that I had gotten used to. Overall I am pretty satisfied with my purchase of the 2015 Rav 4 but I must say I cannot get used to the 2015 Rav 4s rough ride in suburban driving.

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  2010 Toyota RAV4 Limited 4dr SUV 4WD (3. - 2010 Toyota RAV4
  By manu_nis - April 4 - 2:00 am

  I recently bought this vehicle from Napa, CA and I love this one. It has a great pickup and power. 269 bhp is not too bad. Unknowingly, I bought the one with built-in GPS and I regret to buy that. I didnt know that it wont speak street names and when you move, you cant select another destination until you pull over somewhere. I was very disappointed with this GPS overall.