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:

• 

  Matrix - 2003 Toyota Matrix
  By BillMatrix - October 28 - 2:00 am

  This is a fun car that gets great gas mileage. It is quick and easy to handle. The six-speed adds to the fun.

• 

  going to buy another one - 2002 Toyota Highlander
  By L G - October 28 - 2:00 am

  originally bought it for the wife. now i have to drive it all accross Texas. Excellent when you have 4-5 hours of driving, no sore back. Quiet,not one minute of down time in almost 40,000 in less than 1 1/2 years. going to buy another one. this is my 7th Toyota, they are the best on the road.

• 

  Road tripping - 2004 Toyota 4Runner
  By James Cal - October 28 - 2:00 am

  This SUV is awesome. I have had mine for about 3 months now and I cant complain. Looked at the Tahoe, Yukon, and Trailblazer and nothing compares. What it lacks in towing power it makes up in handling. It rides like a car on the highway, and takes the off-road like a truck. I just got back from a camping trip, pulling a popup camper, without a problem. Even got 19mpg. If you need a huge SUV, this is not for you, but if you want an SUV that can maneuver the dirt path just as well as the Wal-Mart parking lot, look no further. Take a test drive; you will be hooked.

• 

  Great Truck - 2004 Toyota 4Runner
  By mfjarvind69 - October 28 - 2:00 am

  This has been a great vehicle. Its like the BMW advertisement where both the husband and wife want to drive the X5. We feel really safe with this vehicle and it handles incredibly well in turns for a live rear axle SUV.

• 

  Toyota Higlander - best of 48 SUVs - 2004 Toyota Highlander
  By Larrys - October 28 - 2:00 am

  Excellent cornering and car-like diveability. Great emmergency speed and MPG.

• 

  A surprise sports car - 2004 Toyota Corolla
  By Yoda Pop - October 28 - 2:00 am

  Ive always had a sports car(Volvo P1800,RX7,CRX)in addition to our primary vehicle, so I was not too keen on replacing such with a 5 passenger economy car. What a surprise our 2004 Toyota Corolla has been--its a ball to drive! I miss the gutsy engine sound of yore, but accelleration and handling are on par with the Honda CRX Si. Plus I can now take 3 passengers along. All the emphasis on fun cars nowadays is on overpowered premium fuel burners. If youre looking for a practical pocket rocket check out this car. Note: I had to special order to get LX with 5 speed manual. Only the LX comes with height adjustable drivers seat--which I found neccessary.

• 

  Fun New Ride! - 2006 Toyota Sienna
  By OutWhit - October 28 - 1:30 am

  Ive upgraded from a 2001 Sienna XLE and boy are the improvements great! Quiet ride with better storage areas than my old version. The Sienna is now boxier which gives a much larger interior space. My kids love the power tilt chairs in the 3rd row. Cant get them to sit in the middle row very often. Liked the AWD, but didnt get it due to the lack of a spare and the run- flat tires are EXPENSIVE to replace and apparently wear out fairly fast.

• 

  Beautiful Car - 2005 Toyota Camry Solara
  By Joni - October 27 - 3:20 am

  This is just truly a beautiful car. I have the Artic Frost with the black convertible top. Its a smooth ride; great lines....very comfortable. Looks a lot like the Lexus

• 

  The Best - 2007 Toyota Yaris
  By testdrive - October 26 - 3:13 pm

  I searched for months for the best new small car. This Yaris is even better than the professional ratings. This car is energetic, maneuverable, gutsy, cheap to run, responsive, fun, good looking, quiet. Combines economy and power. Runs forever on $10 of gas.

• 

  Practicality rendered in steel and plastic - 2014 Toyota Sienna
  By henry_bowman - October 26 - 11:18 am

  Our Sienna is the vehicle we should have gotten years ago instead of an SUV. It is incredibly practical despite its geeky image. The interior is often a sore spot in Sienna reviews, but many confuse a minivan with a Lexus sedan. The hard plastics in the Sienna are designed for contact with snot-nosed kids with their greasy popcorn hands. The interior of the Sienna is much easier to clean and will hold up better to hard use compared to something with soft-touch plastics. The Sienna does not have the reliability problems that the Odyssey has. Honda V6 powertrains have a history of eating transmissions and, lately, engines. Too bad, because the rest of the Odyssey is very nice.