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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  I Love This Car - 1997 Toyota RAV4
  By Olympia - June 25 - 11:56 pm

  Easy on gas, fun to drive, roomy, sporty and everything (almost) works well. Whats not to love? Even the paint looks great after 8 years (and no garage). I had a dead battery once, big deal. The biggest problem I have had were lame brain other drivers bumping into me in parking lots. The doors had bad problems with not wanting to open in the winter and one door lock stopped working altogether one summer (had to operate on it and fixed it). If that hadnt happened, I would have kept this car for ever. However, I am buying another one, so that shows you how much the positives outweigh the negatives.

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  Nice upgrade of a great van - 2011 Toyota Sienna
  By GMP - June 25 - 3:46 pm

  Our third Sienna. Most luxurious van on the market period - as plush as a Lexus LX, but 40K less, and with a better ride, more space and easier access. Has pretty much every techno gadget you would want. Only van with AWD option too. Nice improvements over old model - DVDs now load from front seats, 2nd row seats slide farther/easier, center console slides back, no more annoying nav warning screen and more user friendly nav, ipod now integrated with stereo, great 16" vid screen, run-flats quieter and smoother than previous model.

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  Love My Avalon - 2006 Toyota Avalon
  By Ed Hutcheson - June 25 - 1:00 pm

  The most comfortable car I have ever owned. Excellent gas mileage. Very responsive accelloration. Easy access.

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  Chose Camry over Optima - 2012 Toyota Camry
  By dlc7 - June 25 - 12:42 pm

  This is my automotive history before marriage: BMW, Porsche, Mercedes, Honda CBR - after marriage: Honda Civic, Dodge Caravan, Trek bicycle pulling a child carrier. Now Im in the market for a family sedan and I see this absolutely gorgeous car, and its a KIA? I test drive the OPTIMA LX and I felt it was terrific. The thought of a boring CAMRY did not cross my mind because I wanted the KIA!, then my wife persuades me to look at Toyota. I reluctantly go to a Toyota dealer and choose to test the CAMRY SE I4. To my amazement the SE was noticeably quieter and smoother than the KIA while having good power with sporty and confident handling. The OPTIMA is great but the SE is the car for me.

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  Im loving my rolla - 1994 Toyota Corolla
  By Todd - June 24 - 11:06 pm

  I bought this car used with 139,000 miles on it. About 4 months later, Im up to 145,000. This was just going to be a "drive to work" car to save gas. Now, its a drive all the time car. Its so easy to maneuver around town, I cant stand to drive my Taurus anymore. Gas mileage is generally around 32/33 mixed use. Have not had any mechanical issues AT ALL. Standard low beam lights were a little too low for me but the bright lights were the brightest Id seen on a car. Rear defrost is nice and this car heats up very quickly. Even with the fan off, it will roast you at full temperature. Car has plenty of power at full speed but pick-up leaves something to be desired.

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  Best Car I Ever Owned - 2005 Toyota Corolla
  By John - June 24 - 10:03 pm

  I have always owned Chrysler products. This the first Toyota Ive ever owned but it will not be the last. Have not one problem with it other than the routine oil changes it has never been in the shop. The only complant I have is that it lacks a little power when the AC is on and no remote trunk release with keyless entry.

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  nice truck - 2010 Toyota Tacoma
  By rev25sharp - June 24 - 5:50 am

  it is fun to drive. the back up camera is cool. i like driving it.

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  Great car for a great price! - 2009 Toyota Matrix
  By Mom of 2 - June 24 - 4:16 am

  We sold our Honda Odyssey because it was getting terrible gas mileage. I decided to test-drive a Matrix as several others I know have a Matrix. I LOVE IT! The only complaint is the paint job seems kind of poor and scratches v. easily (silver is my color). But so long as it get 32 mpg and is dependable thats all I need! Great little car and fits me, my 6-year old twins and our 2 dogs just fine! I would not hesitate to buy one! Love the hatch-back too. Very sporty and fun to drive (I have the basic 1.8 ltr/automatic).

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  97 CE is the best!!! - 1997 Toyota Corolla
  By dsouth - June 24 - 3:46 am

  Low maintanance costs, cheap to feed, reliable, easy to work on and repair.

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  HESITATION problem! - 2005 Toyota Camry
  By Not happy - June 24 - 3:43 am

  Owned 3 months with 1600 miles now, very dissatisfied with transmission hesitation. After normal slowing down and then reaccelerating, engine doesnt seem to know what to do. Im praying Toyota will recall. Getting approx. 21 mpg. A/C and temperature lighted controls along with clock/passenger air bag monitor hard to see with normal sunlight. Love a breeze from a sunroof; but with Camrys open fully, cant feel any air w/o opening windows too. Performance P215/55/17 tires noisy on rough roads and over $175 each to buy - thats over $700 plus taxes & installation to replace all 4 tires & rated for only 20,000 miles. Front end design seems to attract many road stones and chips paint easily.