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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  I would not buy it again - 2002 Toyota Camry
  By jim smith1234 - March 7 - 10:00 am

  I bought this car for my wife to drive. She and my 2 kids really like it. Whenever I drive it on weekends and trips I cannot help but notice the poor handling and poor braking. This car handles like a buick. The car leans on almost turn. The brakes are very soft. You foot almost goes down to the floor when stopping. Also the driver side door handle broke off the first week we had the car and we had to wait three weeks before they could get the part in. The automatic drivers seat also slides during driving.

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  Just do it! - 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By Flyer - March 7 - 9:30 am

  This car is simply superb. I work in a vehicle-related field, and I have seen crash/wreck photos of Camrys - people walk away from wrecks because this car sacrifices itself to save its occupants. I was searching to replace my Jetta diesel (a maintenance intensive vehicle) but wanted to up-size from the Prius. The Camry hybrid is for those people who hate waste and love efficiency, like myself. I am a caregiver, and the Camry has enough space to allow people with disabilities the room to swing in and out of the vehicle easily (unlike the new Jetta TDI, which has a much smaller interior). My father, a solid diesel head, was sold on the Camry hybrid within thirty minutes. Simply impressive.

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  Super vehicle - 2005 Toyota Prius
  By duke - March 7 - 7:53 am

  The most satisfying part is sitting at light or motionless in jam knowing the engine is using ZERO FUEL, and creature comforts are taken care of by the big battery. Fify plus MPG helps too. On road mileage remains to be seen when we take our first non-local trip. My guess is that it will be in mid fiftys and if we see sixty it would be great. The display shows instant fuel use. Auto reset on tank fill for current consumption. Amazing info on this screen. Finally it is a unique speedometer display placement. Well shielded and illuminated it is far enough away to not need bifocals and still be small eye motion from road.

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  Love this car - 2004 Toyota Prius
  By JEBG - March 7 - 5:56 am

  We bought this car due to a work commute and what it "represents" environmentally. We have gotten up to 69 miles per gallon, although we seem to average around 58-59 mpg - and that is almost all highway driving. We have taken it over the grapevine, "possibly" in excess of the posted speed limit with no problem. We love this car and cant wait for the hybrid highlander to come out. The car is so quiet, you can hear the road noise - or at least we notice it more than other vehicles we have had, so we turn on the radio.... With this technology available, there is no reason not to have it in all passenger & SUV vehicles.

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  Solara Convertible - 2007 Toyota Camry Solara
  By Bob - March 7 - 1:43 am

  This car is awesome. I love the way the top goes up and down in 10 seconds! Gas mileage is great and overall the car handles very well.

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  Never Again - 2008 Toyota Camry
  By chip schell - March 6 - 9:56 pm

  After about 12,000 miles, this car started to fall apart. Rattles everywhere. Have replaced the steering column, brakes and rotors already before 32k miles. Problems with loud rattles in sunroof mounting. Misaligned fender. Busted trim. The antenna in the roof was disconnected and rattled. They have had to take the dash apart to fix rattles that are still there. AC smelled horrible. Suspension is noisy and squishy. All Toyota can say is sorry, but cars have problems. Have had it in the shop 12 times in the last 15 months. So much for Toyota quality. This doesnt even include any of the issues associated with the recall. I cant get rid of this car soon enough.

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  Traded Honda CR-V for RAV 4 - 2006 Toyota RAV4
  By eric r daugherty - March 6 - 8:03 pm

  I was looking for a new SUV which was slightly larger and had more power. The Honda had been fine, except on long trips fully loaded. The RAV 4 is very confortable, plenty of power and maintains reasonable gas mileage. This is the first Toyota I have owned, not a single problem, fit and finish very good, very happy in 10,000 miles of service.

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  Third Toyota truck! - 2005 Toyota Tacoma
  By Hobopoet - March 6 - 7:40 pm

  In a word, excellent! Ive driven trucks for a long time, American and Japanese, but this is the nicest! This is my third Toyota. I traded a 2001 Tundra for this one and I think I stepped up. This one will do everything I want done in a truck. Im very pleased!

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  Avalon let down - 2007 Toyota Avalon
  By CJB - March 6 - 6:46 pm

  The looks of this car were all that remains after less than a year 6 problems in the first year. Rain leaks, water from washer fluid leaks, tire sensors bad, no start twice, and a very strange shift pattern unless I drive like my grand mom. No fun car. Looks good but I expected more. Next time it is the Acura. Either I got a bad apple or the Toyota name is not all what is is hyped up to be.

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  Corolla S cute and efficient! - 2016 Toyota Corolla
  By Evans - March 6 - 9:47 am

  Just bought my new Corolla. I went from a filull size sedan to this and I am impressed. Its cute sporty looking but comfortable to drive and gets great gas mileage. I am very happy with my purchase which, by the way, was smooth and quick considering buying a car is usually a pain. Thanks to Cox toyota in Burlington, NC.