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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  SO Functional! - 2004 Toyota Highlander
  By finestack - July 14 - 10:00 am

  I bought this SUV because I needed the size and flexibility but really wanted a Prius (couldnt wait until the hybrid Highlander came). Glad I did it. Have already hauled many different oversized items - taken 2 long road trips - and commute daily 70 miles roundtrip. Zero problems. Winter gas mileage on the hwy was not too great at 22 mpg. Now that its warmed up Im closer to the 25-27 range estimated by the EPA. No issues with power at all.

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  Loving it - 2004 Toyota Sienna
  By KSimmons - July 14 - 10:00 am

  We purchased this van to replace a 98 Ford Windstar. We love the design and the 8-passenger seating. Now we can actually have more than our family of 5 travel in the car (all kids are in carseats/boosters). Love the quiet, smooth ride, the layout, the fact its a Toyota, and the fuel economy. People at Toyota are wonderful, this was my number one pick when researching new vans. Definitely love the new design over the older, smaller body style. We look forward to growing old together!

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  Taken from Ford - 2004 Toyota Camry
  By Happy Buyer #1 - July 14 - 10:00 am

  The car has a very nice ride solid feel, roomie, and alot of comfort inside. And the full economy the best. Power is very good for a 4 cyl. Ill never buy a ford agian. The thing is the car has only 1,200 Mil. on it at this time. The Dealer was helpful as was the salesman. We had been to the ford dealer around the corner, to find that they added 10,000.00 to the MSRP of a Ranger. So I went to Precision and pick up a Camry and a Tacoma. 40,000.00 latter I see why Ford is #3 in the world they need to be #4 or 5.

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  Nice vehicle - 2016 Toyota Land Cruiser
  By Art Solomon - July 14 - 8:53 am

  Wish it had more leg room up front. Like other Japanese cars, this is still an issue for even the Land Cruiser. Performs very well but poor efficiency. Expect it to be extremely reliable. Overall really enjoying the vehicle, but wish it was a little peppier.

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  Best family car. - 2016 Toyota Sienna
  By paresh richand - July 14 - 5:26 am

  If you have 2 or more kids then its great, because of enough interior room and easy in an out for kids. Also good entertainment system to keep kids busy.

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  Very happy consumer - 2009 Toyota Tacoma
  By ne_yota - July 14 - 5:17 am

  My experience has been excellent. Zero issues to date (31,000 miles now). I collected every gas receipt since the purchase (6 miles rolling out of dealership), and averaged 20 mpg with a high of 22. Power has been very good. The Sport model suspension is perfect for high-way driving at speed. I have not experienced the issues that others provided here. The AC is almost too cold, no electrical issues, handles very good in the snow, accelerates very well onto the highway, and no body fit issues. The goal is 400,000 miles, and I dont feel that it is unrealistic.

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  Love My Car - 2004 Toyota Camry Solara
  By Dolores - July 14 - 3:50 am

  I am so happy with my 2004 Camry Solara, which I bought new in 2004. It is zippy, easy to handle, fun to drive, fast, beautiful color (Oceana Pearl)and great gas mileage. The interior is roomy, and the sound system and climate control are perfect. No problems whatsoever (other than I got a ticket for speeding not long ago.)

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  Really dont like this car... - 2011 Toyota Sienna
  By shallhb - July 14 - 1:29 am

  After really studying min-vans and SUVs, I decided on the Sienna, based partly on friends recommendations, based partly on experience with Lexus (a near Toyota). Purchased a limited in April. What a disappointment!. We paid for a aftermarket navigational device. It never arrived, and we got our money back in August. In September, I hit our gate and damaged a door. the car was in the shop for 5 weeks because Toyota didnt have the parts available (according to the body shop, at least). Its noisy, big and a rough ride. Mine is once again in the shop. Brake trouble this time.

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  2013 Toyota Avalon Touring - 2013 Toyota Avalon
  By billyboy6 - July 14 - 1:19 am

  Nice car for the money. Bought at CarMax in Laural, MD. They gave me $3000 off MSRP. Worth every penny~ Drove it back home to PA and avg 28 mpg on the trip. Avging 24 in mixed driving. Very sporty to drive, roomy, gorgeous interior, seats were a little hard but everything else was spot on. Love this car! I researched cars in the $33000 - $35,000 price range with NO cvt trannsmission and this was easily the best car in the price range. I test drove them all. The Honda Accord Touring was my 2nd fav.

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  Better than my BMW - 2004 Toyota Prius
  By Diane Quinn - July 13 - 11:46 pm

  Having lived in Los Angeles for 10 years before heading to NYC, I was familiar with the Prius before many people out on the east coast. I got one of the first 2004 models in New England in 2003 and I was actually surprised by the power, handling and roominess of this car. I bought it to do my part for the environment and I was fully prepared to make sacrifices in those areas. I never had too. The technology was bleeding edge as well with voice commands and BlueTooth (only car that had it at the time). I owned a Mercedes, BMW, Land Rover, Porsche and Jaguar in the decade before I bought this and this is my favorite out of all of them.