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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  best in class...by far - 2005 Toyota Sequoia
  By todd - November 25 - 4:43 am

  I looked at every SUV in the $35-$45k range. This had it all by far. The quality starts the moment you open and shut the door. Its just built better than the others I looked at.

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  My excellent highlander - 2005 Toyota Highlander
  By Allan Franklin - November 24 - 10:43 pm

  Excellent ride, very comfortable, lots of cargo space, great mileage on recent trip to Dayton, Ohio in range of 35/36 mpg at 110km/hr average. Smooth ride. Overall an excellent vehicle.

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  I love my car - 2009 Toyota Corolla
  By I LOVE MY CAR - November 24 - 10:43 pm

  This car is awesome! Its durable and reliable! I feel so comfortable and safe while driving in this car! The seats are super comfy, the outside look of the car is hot, and it handles well - around turns, speeding up quickly, etc. I shopped around for a new car for quite some time and Im very happy with my choice. Its great for the money - great on gas, great look - worth every penny!

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  Among most ticketed cars for speeding! - 1999 Toyota Camry Solara
  By optimist - November 24 - 3:00 am

  This was the first V6 car we bought, we were too afraid of fuel cost but this car uses almost the same amount of fuel as a V4 Camry does. In two years of ownership from 130k to 161k miles, apart from tires, brakes, battery etc we only had to deal with check engine lights (cylinder misfire) that would come and go. Tune-up and new plugs and wires would fix the shaky ride and fix the light for the time being but it kept coming back on (would drive fine though). The airbag light also came (same on another 99 Solara SLE 112k we bought later). The car would still drive very smoothly. The drive is so smooth that we wouldnt realize and wed be cruising at 70mph in 55 zone! Got 20-22 mpg cty/hwy mix

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  Awesome tow vehicle - 2008 Toyota Tundra
  By Mark - November 23 - 9:06 pm

  The 2008 Tundra is a fantastically well engineered vehicle. I use it to tow a large 2 horse BP trailer (loaded weight approximately 6700 lbs./ 600 lbs. tongue weight) to and from horse shows from Pennsylvania to Maine. It tows comfortably and most importantly safely. Fuel mileage while towing at interstate speeds is 11.5 mpg, non- towing 17.5 mpg. Very respectable fuel economy for this type of truck. Additionally I get positive comments everywhere I go on how nice the truck looks fitted with a Leer 100XL cap. I highly recommend this truck for towing & hauling.

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  Great car - 2006 Toyota Matrix
  By donnarb - November 23 - 12:03 pm

  I have the manual front WD and I find it fun to drive. I use it to commute to work on hilly and winding roads. It handles very well and has nice pick up. I only filled the tank once so far - gas mileage is fantastic! Although it is considered a small car, it doesnt feel like one. It is very practical and I recommend it highly.

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  2007 Camry Hybrid - Everything and More! - 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By MetMan22 - November 23 - 2:26 am

  Just purchased an 07 Camry Hybrid here in Mass. (2nd one sold by the dealer). Traded in my 05 Camry LE for the 07, Barcelona Red w/Moonroof option - delivered w/11 miles direct from the factory. 5 weeks waiting time arrived 2 weeks early! 3 weeks of ownership & this car drives better than advertised & has exceeded all my expectations. Smooth handling, terrific steering, quiet, comfortable interior, great sound system, keyless electric start, good visual displays, great new eye-catching exterior design & best of all, its fun to drive. My advice... if you can afford the added cost of the Hybrid over the regular model, run to your dealer & order one... NOW. You wont be disappointed!

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  Still loving it - 2006 Toyota Matrix
  By Ed - November 22 - 11:00 pm

  Had my Matrix for almost 3 yrs. and still loving it. Do it yourself maintenance its easy on it. Wife loves the AWD cause it kicks on Chicagos snowy streets. All around room and versatility also great. Very reliable, car feels as solid as it did on day one.

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  After a year - 2002 Toyota Highlander
  By marphylous - November 22 - 1:50 pm

  The Highlander has been a pleasure to drive this past year. The vehicle has outstanding build quality and solidity. It is very quiet and easy to drive. Comfort for rear seat passengers is good, especially with the reclining rear seats. The size of the vehicle is a good balance that provides adequate hauling capacity while keeping down vehicle weight. I was able to carry a rolled 9 x 12 carpet inside. Controls are sensibly placed and easy to operate. It took a little while to get used to the brakes. At first they felt a little bit soft, but the vehicle has good stopping distance and control. Turning radius is significantly better than the Lexus RX300.

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  1998 avalon - 1998 Toyota Avalon
  By nonfib - November 22 - 10:00 am

  This has been the most reliable car I have ever owned. Aside from the road noise, there has not been a complaint about the car in the five years we have owned it.