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:

• 

  2009 V6 Toyota Double Cab TRD sport - 2009 Toyota Tacoma
  By Waynep - June 3 - 4:23 pm

  Rides and handles well, front seat is too low to be comfortable on longer trips. Quiet and smooth good fit and finish, rear seats very comfortable. Tons of storage in cab and in bed.

• 

  100k+ and aiming for a million - 2004 Toyota Camry
  By lord_falkland - June 3 - 11:52 am

  bought it new for Xmas back in 03, couldnt resist the 0% APR offered by Toyota Financing. Anyway itll be close to 10 years since then and Ive driven it almost all over the PST/MST zones. City economy is never higher than 24, freeway cruising between 75-80 nets 29 and back-road cruising between 45-55 nets a high of 36. Yep 36 but I rarely drive that slow for that long so that almost never happens. I keep up with all the scheduled maintenance as a rule, change the oil every 3-4k miles and it just keeps on trucking. 200 lbs/ft tq is enough to carry a family of 5 from the coast to the peaks with a trunk full of luggage. And food. And a cooler too. I almost bought another 04 once, haha

• 

  So Far So Good - 2006 Toyota Tundra
  By R.Kuehner - June 2 - 7:13 pm

  Bought the vehicle new, V8 with TRD package. It came with a 3" lift kit and 20" rims from the dealer. Im averaging 16 mpg. The odometer is off by .1 and the odometer by 5 mph due to bigger wheels/tires. Plan to try K&N air filter and maybe a performance muffler such as Flomaster. Overall the truck handles well and is fun to drive. I have as good or better ground clearance than stock 4x4s from other manufacturers. I replaced the radio/CD player but kept the stock speakers as they sound pretty good.

• 

  Love My Highlander - 2003 Toyota Highlander
  By auntiejenn - June 2 - 4:30 pm

  Im very happy with this vehicle. Ive taken it on several long (1500 mile) trips and it is as comfortable to drive & ride in as a good quality car. The only complaints I have about it are: (1) the lifter (fuel injector) noise -- and even that is minor. With no radio on, sitting still, you can hear the f.i. system working, but while driving, or with radio on normal volume, you cannot. (2) the paint on the hood chips very easily from normal road wear. I would buy it again ... zero mechanical issues, easy to drive, comfy. Holds value well.

• 

  The Celica can really - 2004 Toyota Celica
  By MD822325 - June 2 - 2:00 am

  If you love a great fuel friendly car with really superb handling. You need a Toyota Celica!

• 

  Blounties Yota - 2004 Toyota RAV4
  By Blountie - June 2 - 2:00 am

  LOVE IT LOVE IT LOVE IT

• 

  Over all break even - 2002 Toyota Camry Solara
  By nufdude - June 1 - 10:00 am

  Over all break even.. Has good performance but in occassions the power lacks.. (v6-200hp engine). Fuel mileage is low comparatively.. stylish look so breaks even..

• 

  Expensive, but worth it. - 2008 Toyota Sienna
  By jamie_z - June 1 - 8:23 am

  I purchased the 2008 Toyota Sienna Limited from Carmax with 112,000 miles on it. Ive owned it now for three weeks. Im fairly impressed. Overall gas mileage is a tick under 20 mpg. Im a single guy with no kids and I drive a minivan, but Im ok with that. This one is pretty nice and it holds a lot of stuff when I need it to. Superbly flexible and comfortable accommodations for any number of people. Its an expensive car compared to the competition, but hopefully with the Toyota reputation, itll last a long time.

• 

  Good for Gas Mileage - 2000 Toyota Echo
  By AJ - June 1 - 12:00 am

  The Toyota Echo is gets really good gas mileage and it has a lot more trunk space than you would expect.

• 

  Keep on making them rollas - 1997 Toyota Corolla
  By Brandon Wilson - May 31 - 2:36 pm

  My 1997 Corolla has been the only car that I ever owned and no doubt that I will probably let this baby go anytime soon. I had this car for 6 years and its got over 215,000 miles on the original motor and automatic transmission. I purchased this car on 6/2003 with 52,352 miles at a dealership. The only major service work done on my corolla was a valve cover gasket, timing belt, and a water pump. Other than that, this car has never left me stranded on the road.