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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  Love it! - 2010 Toyota RAV4
  By Jessica - September 9 - 12:00 pm

  Just traded my 2009 Toyota Camry in for this wonderful SUV and I absolutely love it! I feel like I have tons of room, endless storage space,it handles very well, and it is a very smooth ride. I got the Base model, and although it doesnt come with any upgraded features (GPS, backup camera assist, etc.) it is the greatest car I have ever had! I did some research on the Ford Escape and Honda CR-V, and I think I made the greatest decision ever!

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  Love being off the ground! - 2010 Toyota Highlander
  By debik - September 9 - 10:00 am

  Went from a small Ford Focus that was about 7 inches off the ground to sitting up and visible! A little concerned about the light steering. Seems to want to steer itself. Still getting adjusted to size. I have leather and love the captains seats in the 2nd row. Have the third row seat down and liking the cargo space. Taking dealers word that there was and still is nothing wrong with Toyotas gas pedals.

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  Great Truck Look / Actually Compact Car - 2009 Toyota Tacoma
  By JD Martin - September 9 - 10:00 am

  Downsized from Ram 1500. Big mistake. Could never get comfortable, was like sitting on 2x6 six inches off the ground. No interior storage space for tools, etc. as rear seat only folds down rather than seat portion folding up so very limited what can be carried in cab. Limited sight lines & blind spots even w/ rear seat head rest removed. Dont believe resell value propaganda - was hard to sell even at sharp discount w/ 6K miles. Hard to get in & out while working on farm. More car than truck.

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  Love My RAV4! - 2010 Toyota RAV4
  By Freckles - September 9 - 10:00 am

  I highly recommend buyers first rent this vehicle and drive it on a weekend trip. Thats how I fell in love with mine. I narrowed my selection down to a RAV4 and a Nissan Rogue. The RAV4 is much roomier - my kids feel the back seat is very spacious. My RAV is fun to drive and comfortable and the interior looks more "rich" than the Rogue. My only complaint is that the majority of the Toyota dealerships we called were not willing to come down much off the sticker and in fact some were quite arrogant about their pricing.

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  SE - 2010 Toyota Camry
  By Reg - September 9 - 10:00 am

  A well built reliable car. Not fantastic mpg for size of car. The downfall of the SE model came when I took my first trip. Those seats are the most uncomfortable of any car I have ever owned. Both drivers and passenger. An 8 hr stint just about ruins your back and bottom! Horrible seats. I cant imagine a toyota engineer ever road in them for any length of time. Around town they are great, they look stylish and the electric controls 8 different positions, All bad. Note My wife is 125 lbs me about 185.

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  Nice car - 2010 Toyota Corolla
  By kevin - September 9 - 10:00 am

  Nice car. Needs better interior quality. Compared to 2008 model 2010 le is heavier and slower on highways. Overall good car

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  Comfort Cruiser and its a Toyota! - 2001 Toyota Sequoia
  By Loftonfan - September 9 - 4:10 am

  A good all around vehicle. Have owned this vehicle for a little over a year and the only thing I have had to do is change the oil twice. It drives so smooth that you had better use the cruise or you will be seeing the cherries and berries in the auto-dimming rear view mirror. The sound system puts the Bose in my Acura to shame. Easy to install a receiver hitch and wire harness for a do it yourselfer. Enough power to haul a built up CJ-5 and a massive carhauler over Vail and Eisenhauer Passes at the speed limit. The rear seats all have plenty of room for even the tallest passengers. The center console is huge! Can have two mountain bikes with the front wheels off standing in the rear

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  Poor Exhaust Manifolds - 2000 Toyota Tundra
  By HQ - September 8 - 9:20 pm

  This truck is great and will really go through the snow. Fun to drive but a little heavy on the gas. Biggest problem is cracked exhaust manifolds. Took truck to Toyota dealer and they want almost $900 just for the manifolds plus labor and gaskets. In doing some internet research this seems to be a standard problem and Toyota refuses to acknowledge it and take care of the problem. This is the first time I have known Toyota to not cover a defect. Remember they bought back all the Tacomas with bad frames but they refuse to take care of this. I love the truck but I cant say my next truck will be a Toyota.

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  Love my New Prius - 2016 Toyota Prius
  By Linda Saffer - September 8 - 3:52 pm

  It gets great mileage but with a comfortable ride.

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  Right size and performance - 2007 Toyota Tacoma
  By Steve - September 8 - 12:20 pm

  My 4th new Toyota, 2 were 4Runners and a Tundra. This vehicle is the right size and with the double cab and enough bed room for the weekend yard work, kayak, surfboard hauler etc., this truck is perfect. I went with the 4 wheel drive and TRD Sport package w/17 wheels and the ride is great! Everything compared it is hard to beat the quality and interior layout. Try to have everything from the factory re: running boards, roof rack, and not dealer installed if you can help it. I work with BMW and for cars they are 2nd to none, but for my off time this Tacoma is hard too beat!!