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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  Man I love this truck - 1995 Toyota Tacoma
  By jss5724 - February 20 - 11:16 pm

  I bought this truck last year after my wife and I bought a house. I needed to get rid of my car payment and needed a cheap, reliable truck, so this fit the bill. Got it for $2800 with 145K, bald tires, and a dented bumper. I changed out some of the parts that would likely leave me stranded (battery, starter, cables, alt.) after my starter went bad. I changed ALL fluids, cleaned it up and now I feel like I have a new best friend. The bed has enough room to hold all of the supplies I need to keep me busy doing yardwork all day. My wife is a doctor now and I have the opportunity to have a REALLY nice car, but I continue to drive "the old goat" anywhere and everywhere. Thanks Toyota!

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  Wonderful vehicle for our family - 2011 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
  By dorenescar - February 20 - 11:07 pm

  We traded in our 10 Highlander Hybrid for an 11, and despite having friends think we were crazy, we are delighted with the improvements. The mileage is truly 28 plus, and the vehicle feels easier to drive. The interior is much improved, though still some features that look cheap. The nav and back up camera are much improved, and the split row in the third seat is great for us. The sound system sounds better too! The ride is smooth and quiet, and our kids are very comfortable in the midsection. We love this vehicle, more than the first one, and find it to be great on trips, in the city, and be a great all around vehicle.

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  Best Value, Quality, Performance - 2013 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By yngturk - February 20 - 7:38 pm

  This is my wifes second Camry Hybrid. She loves the gas mileage, reliability, driveability and comfort. Not a single problem with either of her Camrys. And they hold their value like crazy!

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  Solid vehicle - 2018 Toyota C-HR
  By Win - February 20 - 7:58 am

  We purchase this vehicle two months ago... Smooth ride and very comfortable seats for long rides. Gas mileage is great, average over 38 mpg on the highway. Car is not a speed demon, nor does it has all the bells and whistles, but it does have great safety features.

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  1998 Toyota Land Cruiser - 1998 Toyota Land Cruiser
  By Sal Paradise - February 19 - 8:06 pm

  I bought the LC used in 04 with 115k miles on it. Its stock except for rear diff locker. My wife drove the car with the kids for two years and now its my daily driver. Its an excellent all-rounder. Plenty of power and traction, etc, in the rough Utah winters. Excellent on the dirt roads. The craftsmanship of the vehicle is soooo nice. I now have 155k on the ride and its still our #1 choice for trips.

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  good basic car - 2010 Toyota Camry
  By revfiddle - February 19 - 11:22 am

  We have had this car since new, and its been great. No repairs necessary.

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  red - 2005 Toyota Camry Solara
  By jungle - February 19 - 8:56 am

  The Camry Solara Convertible is pure pleasure to drive. I have owned it for just over 4 months. It is very comfortable. It fits me perfectly. It doesn,t take long to put the top up or down. Friends and neighbors are impressed with the appearance and the ride. I am having much fun owning it.

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  A Quiet Car - 2006 Toyota Camry
  By Munawar Mahmood - February 19 - 8:13 am

  The first thing you notice when you drive the car is the cockpit like view of the road, the second thing you notice is how quiet the car is. The mileage is good, Im getting 26-27 mpg and I just bought the car. Its very comfortable. Road handling is excellent, very roomy and comfortable. I just wished it had more power.

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  Didnt Know What I was Looking For Until I Found It - 2009 Toyota Matrix
  By tandem2 - February 19 - 5:09 am

  I had been looking for a vehicle to give my 2001 Trooper a rest for the work commute. I had driven everything from BMW X3s to the Nissan Cube and was really getting disappointed. Then I got behind the wheeel of a 2009 Matrix XRS with 10k miles on it...WOW! Within 5 minutes I knew that I had found the vehicle I was looking for. Comfortable for my 6 foot frame, sporty, fun to drive, relatively economical and pretty darn practical for the exterior dimensions. It has been 3 months since the purchase and my wife and I are still commenting how pleased we are with the car. We some long (400+ mile) trips coming, and we are looking forward to them. Great job Toyota!

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  Very Comfortable! - 2004 Toyota Sequoia
  By Kate - February 19 - 1:13 am

  I have been very pleased! Its powerful, though it doesnt feel like you are in a huge SUV. I love it!