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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  First time minivan owner - 2015 Toyota Sienna
  By dph1 - October 18 - 11:40 pm

  This is my first time owning a minivan. I have a growing family and came from a long line of Honda Accords. I had recently purchased a 2014 Honda Pilot, but VCM vibration has turned me off on all Honda V-6s (if you are in anyway OCD, avoid Honda VCM V-6 engines like the plague - you will feel vibration and hear noise). Thus, I traded it for the Sienna. I have only owned the Sienna two days, but my family loves it! It rides so nicely and smoothly. It has good pickup for a van and seems very well built. The electronics are a easy to master, and the A/C is super cold, which is a huge plus in the humid South. The rear TV is huge, but you can get by with ipads and save the $$.

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  The Prius is different - 2010 Toyota Prius
  By WOG - October 18 - 9:10 pm

  I am very satisfied and would readily recommend the car. Once you become accustomed to the quiet of the engine cutting out @ traffic lights & adjust to pressing a button to start & park & get comfortable not being able to see the front\corners of the car & with the split rear view, the car is very comfortable and pleasant to drive .

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  frustratingly sluggish on highway - 2017 Toyota Tacoma
  By Jerry - October 18 - 8:21 pm

  I wanted Toyota reliability and quality and the offroad capabilities. Tacoma seemed like everything I wanted. but my daily commute on the highway is very frustrating. its severely underpowered and difficult to keep steady speed as transmission is shifting gears constantly. acceleration is poor and even other cheap low end cars pass this truck all the time. I have to floor it to climb even the slight uphill. its really a bad driving experience.

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  Love it - 2016 Toyota Highlander
  By Bill Fortenberry - October 18 - 7:51 pm

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  Its what i expected - 2006 Toyota RAV4
  By darksecret - October 18 - 2:33 pm

  The look of the new RAV4 is very nice, much better than the previous models. The fuel economy is great.

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  Great car - 2010 Toyota Prius
  By Texasmom - October 18 - 12:16 pm

  Ive had the car for over one month and love it. Interior is spacious, very little road noise, drives smooth and engine has adequate power. Gas mileage so far is 43 MPG with a lead foot. Switched from a Volvo XC90 SUV and surprisingly dont miss one thing.

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  Looks great, Runs poorly - 2010 Toyota Corolla
  By alberto - October 18 - 7:13 am

  When i first bought this car i was really excited because i felt i had upgraded from my 99 Avalon. Now i just wish I wouldve gone with a honda or mazda. This car has a lot of trouble accelerating as if the car was pulling something. The steering wheel doesnt seem to turn as much as it should. While driving at 65 mph it was difficult to keep car in between lines. This feels unsafe and worse than my 96 accord. Its infuriating that Toyota would build a car this way as oppose to stepping up their game after all they been going through. The car looks great but id rather drive a car 14 years older.

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  Trans. Rattle - 2007 Toyota Tacoma
  By Trans. Rattle - October 18 - 2:16 am

  Bought the reg. cab 4x4 for utility and reliability. The truck has lived up to my expectation except for the 5 spd manual trans. The trans. has rattled when in neutral since day one. Rattle is tolerable except when A/C compressor is running. Had dealer inspect, but they claim it is normal. If I wanted a truck that rattled I would have saved some money and not bought new. I would not buy this truck again do to this problem. If you are going to buy a Tacoma dont get the 5 spd. I havent heard anything about the 6spd or auto. There is no point in spending extra money for a Toyota if they are going to build them like Fords in California.

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  My kind of car for a family of 6 - 2004 Toyota Land Cruiser
  By Heide - October 18 - 2:00 am

  Land Cruiser is the car everyone should own.It is fun to drive in the city or in the rocky roads of Joshua Tree National Park to the Snowy mountains of Big Bear. It handles the raod very well. We compared it to the Sequoia and other SUV`s there is just not any comparison. Yes, one has to pay for the safety and quality and if you have 4 precious little ones in it it is well worth every dollar. I am a proud, confident driver and owner of my Land Cruiser.

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  More Hype Than Fact - 2004 Toyota Prius
  By NewPriusOwner - October 18 - 2:00 am

  I now have over 4000 miles on this car and wish I had stayed with my Civic. I can never drive this car long enough to make up the cost of the Hybird system. For a high tech car you cant even get an MP3 player in this car. Gas mileage is in the high 30s to low 40s at best. The seats are not comfortable for even a 45 minute drive, and no power seats at that. The car is unstable in a cross wind.