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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  Downgrade from an MDX? - 2004 Toyota Sienna
  By trader_dave - January 11 - 2:00 am

  With the arrival of our 3rd son, we needed the rear seat access/extra cargo room that a minivan offers. To us, the best of the minivan bunch, this purchase was a "downgrade." I was hoping for more of a "Lexus" of minivans for $42k. Handling is adequate, road noise is evident, but tolerable. Navi/entertaintment system user interfaces are really complex. Our 3 yr old Acuras navi system was slower but could be used without a two hour tutorial. The fit is generally high quality, but many of the finish components feel a little too plastic and flimsy. Given whats on the market, Id buy the vehicle again, but I wish there were a luxury brand in segment.

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  Best minivan Ive owned - 2004 Toyota Sienna
  By finally happy - January 11 - 2:00 am

  I tested all the vans before purchaseing this van. Seats are more confortable than nissian. better turn radis and split 3rd row seat than oddessy-- only improvements needed- to open gas tank you must open door and I wanted all options without leather seats.. could not get options on LE or XLE.. I wanted because the XLE option only came with leather seats and LE option did not come with options I wanted.. had to settle for LE.. Hard to settle for $30,000

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  less pay for the value - 2014 Toyota Camry
  By jjj33 - January 10 - 2:48 pm

  I bought 2014 Camry L at $ 17,888. Its really cheap for the value. Its very comfortable, and smooth. I had 2004 Camry for 5 years, But this 2014 model is much better 2004 model at every aspect. Honda Accord is over 21,000 dollars even they sell on sale price. Only one thing I am no satisfied with the Camry is MPG. In town, I got around 26 MPG even though I drive very conservatively, and softly. with my old 2004 Camry I had have 29 - 30 MPG in town even though EPA mileage of 2004 (20 town/ 29 highway). But the 2014 Camry EPA mileage (25 town/ 35 highway). But I drive only around 400 miles in town. Of course, in highway I got very high MPG (40 MPG in HWY).

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  Twelve Years Out - 1998 Toyota 4Runner
  By WRB - January 10 - 1:50 pm

  Loved this car from the day my parents got it new; I took over in 2001. For its time (gas near $1/gal, economic boom, popularity & size of SUVs exploding, but before "green" went mainstream), it got good MPGs (few less than 1998 Camry). I get close to 15 MPG with a lead foot in city driving. Ive found acceleration from a stop or from merging excellent (V6). I even contemplated putting weight in the rear to improve takeoff handling. Interior fit still tight & looks better than Tahoes up to 6 yrs newer. Only standard, elective maintenance. Bottom line: I could be driving a higher-end new or nearly new car, but this is still my first choice; & dad wants first dibs on buying it back.

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  Avalon 1996 - 1996 Toyota Avalon
  By j.p. sr. - January 10 - 10:00 am

  One of the best cars we have ever owned

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  Just Love It!! - 2003 Toyota Matrix
  By Happy Buyer - January 10 - 10:00 am

  We looked for this car for a while, it was hard to find the car with the color and features that we wanted but at the end our dealer found it the day we were about to buy another car!! Thanks god he found it!!! We LOVE IT!!! Highly recommended!!

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  Sequoia the Great! - 2002 Toyota Sequoia
  By Michael Daly - January 10 - 10:00 am

  Beautifully crafted. Solid, great feel. Good dealership support so far. I think my only concern is that there is a speaker buzz that is being looked into and no reading lights for the middle and rear seat passengers.

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  Great Car for the money - 2002 Toyota Camry
  By uroberto - January 10 - 10:00 am

  I got the car in late April and so far no problems. I love the build quality and the redesign of the Camry. The trunk is big for a sedan in its class. The car was a good value for me(around $22000)with the curtain air bags, the cargo/carpet mats as the only options.

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  Smooth As Silk! - 2002 Toyota Camry
  By hawks1 - January 10 - 10:00 am

  Very impressed with this car. For $21K, its an excellent value. The new 4- cylinder engine and auto tranny are tremendously smooth and responsive. This car drives and handles like a much heavier car. Interior ergonomics are wonderfully efficient and the interior and exterior design are very attractive. Highly recommend this car.

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  Holy crap, this car is too damn reliable - 1998 Toyota Avalon
  By carboy1993 - January 9 - 10:18 pm

  im 17 years old.This car is my first car last year. its like that first practice car that u usually bang up. well i havent hit anything yet but my god is this car reliable. we bought it when it back in 2003 with 116k on it in PERFECT condition.now its kinda of banged up, radio buttons falling off, etc, but it just WONT DIE. my mom drove it 160 miles a day at one point, and i drive it about 40-50 as of now(and i dont drive it nicely), its close to 220k. im getting an acura tl, but if it wasnt for the cars body falling apart and the [violative content deleted] acceleration,id be sad about this departure. im just mad at my parents because they said were gonna sell after the time belt wears out :(