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 My Little Yoder - 2005 Toyota Corolla
  By Ryan Ray - June 5 - 6:00 am

  Bought my car before gas prices got ridiculous. Love the gas mileage! Had an ex-girlfriend who never took care of her 99 Corolla and it ran great. I figured mine would last forever if I take care of it. The engine is peppy, but could use a little more power... especially with the AC on. Its a GREAT car for the price. Luxury car ameneties on a compact. Im happy with the accessories (radio, cruise, remote entry, etc.) I am very satisfied with my purchase and glad I chose this car for my first new car. I highly recommend this car.

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  big box - 2003 Toyota Sequoia
  By scoob - June 5 - 2:00 am

  I was looking for size and reliability above all else. It may give up some towing capacity to the Chevy, but the overall design and quality won me over. The ride is quite smooth and silent. I have one quibble with a click in the dash which sounds after any start up after being parked. the dealer said it was the ABS switch resetting and that this was normal. Im getting 15.3mpg in mixed driving according to the trip computer. And, it swallows regular gas rather than premium required by more than a few of its European competitors. Big discounts are fairly prevalent on this truck. Shop around for a loss leader!

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  Fun but no sports car - 2004 Toyota Matrix
  By Lizard Queen - June 5 - 2:00 am

  Very good utilitarian little car. Plenty of room to haul things, lots of cool features like the outlet on the dashboard, the plastic in the cargo area, etc. Good on gas and as its a Toyota I expect it to be very reliable. But I was slightly disappointed in how it handles (is a bit mushy when cornering) and it is slightly underpowered and could use more "snap". Overall Im happy with it, but if they couldve made the engine and suspension perform like my old Acura Integra (sold at 12 years old to get this one) but ketp the amount of room of the Matrix Id be in 7th heaven.

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  Great Remarks for Rav 4 - 2004 Toyota RAV4
  By djaeight - June 5 - 2:00 am

  This is a great vehicle. It has a great ride and a lot less wind and road noise than expected.

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  Great Car! - 2001 Toyota Corolla
  By jon wong - June 5 - 2:00 am

  This car has a great engine. Nice interior. Overall a great car.

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  a - 2003 Toyota Avalon
  By zwuo - June 5 - 2:00 am

  I had problem w/ start this car during cold weather

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  buy it now - 2004 Toyota Tundra
  By bomba - June 5 - 2:00 am

  we shopped for 2 months for double cab, tested them all, did the research, and we love this truck. drives like smooth, powerful, quiet, comfortable car. great size, interior quality far better than others, and backseat comfort cant be beat. have a 95 4runner that still looks and drives new, so we knew the quality would be there. dont buy another without testing the tundra.

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  Finally a reliable, functional vehicle - 2004 Toyota Highlander
  By fcatcher - June 5 - 2:00 am

  It is a wonderful vehicle with great visabilty and drivability. Easy to maintain and function in and about. They were thinking about the consumer when they built this suv

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  3-week impression - 2004 Toyota Corolla
  By Anton 2 - June 5 - 2:00 am

  impressions are all positive. Good quality materials for the interior. Manual shifter takes some breaking in as well: at first, downshifting from 5th to 4th was a bit awkward, but not anymore. Nice handling and great fuel mileage. Overall, a very decent car that is great for everyday use as a car for people who drive a lot or those who would like to buy a car and forget the hassle of owning a gas guzzler. There isnt enough said about how a fuel- efficient car improves ones outlook on gasoline prices. You simply stop to notice them. My car so far is getting 32 mpg in the city. 40 is the norm on the highway.

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  my 3rd Camry - 2004 Toyota Camry
  By LGL - June 5 - 2:00 am

  you can benchmark it against the lexus ES300. From quality to comfort, it is great. The ride is second to none,the 4 cyl is all you need, and you get great gas mil. The fit -doors,dashboard,seats is all perfect. buy this one and dollar for dollar you will not go wrong. Dont be fooled and purchase something cheaper you will get what you paid for. By the way, Champion in Corpus Christi will treat you right!