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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  The best investment in my life! - 2004 Toyota 4Runner
  By Matt Lopez - October 26 - 4:46 pm

  With the 2004 Toyota 4Runner, I have been remarked into a new world, it discarded me from my everyday worries during my drive, yet I feel noticed, and believe me, that feels great. I like how I really enjoy my 4Runner. I call it my best friend, I even talk to my 4Runner! I think that is you were ever to purchase this car, you would feel the same too, or even better. I really like the spacious, and size of my truck. I think that Toyota did well on the 4Runner, and I also have an older model, a 1993 Toyota 4Runner SR% V6 3.0litre, and even that was a great design! I really like my Toyotas, theve really tooken me places in such a way that I couldnt even explain it in words. Its the greatest!!!!

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  CE camry!! - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By Juan - October 26 - 2:06 pm

  Surprisingly agile for a 4 cyl, auto transmission requires manual downshift for quick instant power. Should be ok for normal driving. Loaded with safety features (tire pressure indicator is cool). Very roomy in comparison with other midsizes, outstanding leg room for back passengers and trunk. Very smooth, quiet ride for the most part, a little bit of engine noise at high RPM but not annoying in the least. New design is very upscale looking, more appealing to the younger crowd (24). Road grip is good, brakes are great. Suspension even on base model is great on bumpy roads. AC very cold, all controls easy to identify and use. High quality inside/outside finish

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  Not a happy Camper - 2006 Toyota Avalon
  By Toyota owner - October 26 - 11:43 am

  Have owned several Toyotas in the past including a Corolla and a Sienna van. So naturally when it came time to replace our old Acura Legend, the Avalon sprang out as the logical choice. My biggest regret is not doing more research on this vehicle before purchase. From day one it always had a nervous shifting transmission and rather hard seats. It accelerates really well and is rated at good gas mileage. Too bad it has never acheived what the sticker says I will get. Have never seen 22 in the city or 31 on the highway ever! Using a good old fashioned calculator I typically am getting around 20-21 mpg in surburban driving and 26-27 on the highway. Road noise is high and the exterior is bland.

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  Problematic - 2010 Toyota Camry
  By Downs - October 26 - 4:49 am

  I bought my 2010 Camry with 87,000 miles on it. I have had it for just over a year, and have taken two nearly 1,000 mile trips on top of daily driving in the city. At first, it was great. I was excited because Camry has always been known as being a good, reliable car. For about 4 months now, I have been having transmission problems (slipping in lower gears, no fluid leaks), and the trunk is leaking. I have found water in the trunk on numerous occasions. Both of these problems have been attempted to be fixed by a dealership mechanic with no luck. Its pretty sad that my husbands 1996 Neon has been a much more reliable car than my 2010 Camry..

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  Toyota Radio - 2005 Toyota Camry
  By BobV - October 26 - 2:03 am

  I truly like my new 2005 Camry LE. But I cannot believe Toyota would build such a good car and put such a cheap radio/speakers in it. I searched everywhere to find the specs as I would like to figure out what I replace to improve the sound. The dealership didnt have the info - I finally found it through the Toyota Website. If you have a "Toyota" radio with the first number in the model beginning with a "1" you have a Fujitsu-Ten radio. And the Specs are: RMS peak power 15 watts (comment: minimal - should be 18+).Preamp output volts:.5 (yes, .5 very poor) and CD signal to noise ratio: 65db (noisey). Speakers - cannot fine specs. If you feel same - complain to Toyota - hope they change

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  Great Car for Awesome Price - 2005 Toyota Camry
  By Julia - October 25 - 11:03 pm

  I bought my 2005 Camry SE and I love it. It has a definite sporty suspension and is very fun to drive. I am getting great gas mileage and the sunroof and 6 CD disc changer is great. Plus the manual transmission makes it even more fun.

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  Awesome, AWESOME car - 2005 Toyota Avalon
  By Lisbeth - October 25 - 3:16 pm

  Hi, I just bought an Avalon. It is, without doubt, the smoothest, nicest car I have ever owned. I feel like I am riding on a soft cloud,while driving it. I love the feel, the interior design and those delicious heated seats. Toyota has outdone itself. I have always had Camrys -- but, this Avalon tops it all.

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  Awesome - 2011 Toyota Sienna
  By Honda Man - October 25 - 12:26 pm

  Love the van. Dont pay sticker. We got nearly 3k off. Feels like a Lexus. first class. Looks like the new Odyssey will beat its fuel efficiency. If you tow things I am having a hard time finding a hitch as it is very new. Hope one gets designed by the Spring. Excellent ride and fun to drive. It does not appear that you can change dvd while driving. Looks like parking break needs to be on. I dont like that.

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  The little engine that could - 2003 Toyota Tacoma
  By ren - October 25 - 9:26 am

  Well, I have to say that this little truck is great for its size. Off road and this little guy can do it ok. I wish it had about 10-15 more ponies, but you cant have everything right. For the money this truck is great. Its reliable and its gets me from A to B. I wish I had an extended cab for more room but I manage in this one. Regular maintenance is good and easy. There is a weird creak or rattle in the dash at times. Wish it had a higher resale. Overall, not a bad little workhorse.

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  Better than Honda Civic - 2014 Toyota Corolla
  By hookshot - October 25 - 12:53 am

  I purchased this car for my wife in Evergreen exterior with amber seats. It looks weird in pictures but really good in person. The current Honda civics are ugly and the interior materials are subpar. Toyota really hit a home run with this car. Exterior is sleek and handsome, while the interior is well thought out and handsome. There are still actual knobs for volume and AC. AC blows cold. Power is really good, especially for climbing hills. The CVT is really good and smooth, I dont hear any whine at all. I find the LE ECO is the best value, since it already has a backup camera and hiighest MPG. Dont need any fancy wheels to reduce my MPG. Car is relatively quiet.