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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  Great car - 2002 Toyota Celica
  By silvercelica01 - April 22 - 10:00 am

  I was undecided if I wanted the GT or the GT-S. I am glad I chose the GT... however, get the 5-speed. The automatic is too slow. If you plan on putting a lot of mods on the car, then get the GT-S. But the powerband on both cars under 6500rpms is almost identical. The car looks great, and is very fun to drive. Taking corners is extremely fun.

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  Great Truck - 2002 Toyota Tundra
  By Henry007 - April 22 - 10:00 am

  Just moved from Seattle to Fort Myers Florida..3200 miles! Pull a UHaul and had a hard time keeping the truck under 70!!

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  Lexus Truck - 2002 Toyota Tundra
  By john melendez - April 22 - 10:00 am

  The Toyota Tundra TRD V8 access cab is by far the nicest, best performing and most comfortable pick up Ive owned. Ive owned every pick up model exept Dodge and will never own a pick up again that is not a Toyota. I think they should put leather seats in them and sell them under the Lexus name; they are that good. Only complaint is the front rotors warped after 8k miles, but that was covered under warranty. May I say again, if your buying a pick up, get a Toyota....... John Melendez, Austin, TX

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  Consider your options.... - 2002 Toyota Tacoma
  By Kalhoun - April 22 - 10:00 am

  First off, the truck was delivered dirty and damaged. The salesman tried to clean the upholstry with paint cleaner. That ruined the drivers side seat. The area where the top of the cab connects with the side at the passenger window was not ground down and the weld joints are exceptionally noticable. The AC and heat "whistle" on the top two speed settings (unless set to highest or lowest settings). I wouldnt purchase another Tacoma.

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  Bad car quality - 2003 Toyota Corolla
  By jmei - April 22 - 10:00 am

  Poshed up version of same old car, except that it breaks now. Engine is potent if you want to push hard but handling is left far behind. Minor build quality flaws. Check Engine light comes on every so often for no apprarent reason.

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  Nice Car - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By Happy Buyer - April 22 - 7:53 am

  Based largely on this forum, I bought 07 Camry three weeks ago. Leather, heated seats. Love Bluetooth - big safety factor. Great sound system/radio. Highway mileage already greater than promised. Wish for some way to dim radio cluster at night without dimming gauges - only complaint. Highly recommend car. Excellent proof of what vigorous competition can produce.

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  2003 Camry - 2003 Toyota Camry
  By jdr - April 22 - 7:33 am

  I had this car for 3 years and drive to work 70 miles a day. All that has been done is oil changes and general maintenance. I have had no breakdowns. Just check the brake linings again, 1/3 of pad left at 100,000 miles (original pads). Never had this happen with any car. Car runs as it did when new. No rattles.

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  Buy it for economy - 2009 Toyota Yaris
  By John - April 22 - 6:06 am

  I rented a similar Yaris last summer, and got 39 mpgs. My Mazda 5 was out of warranty and I was intrigued with this little cruizer again and gave up some room and features for the economy of the Toyota Yaris S. I like the look of the S model. I miss the steering wheel controls I had on my Mazda, and the plastic in the yaris smells funny in a cheap way, but the car seems to run on vapors, and rarely needs a fill up. Fun to drive, parked next to a Mini Cooper the other day, and loved the way the S looked sitting next to a much more expensive car, great stance!

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  Well satisfied - 2006 Toyota Avalon
  By Siskiyoublue - April 21 - 9:50 pm

  Bought this car in March. The more I drive the Avalon the more I like the car. I added the navigation system and put on mud guards and side moldings. Installed satellite radio which is heaven. No more ads.

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  I love my Yaris - 2008 Toyota Yaris
  By Peggy - April 21 - 5:56 pm

  I did research before getting this car. Got it yesterday and love it, love it, love it. It is like driving a sports car. I had a lot of errands to run and the gas gauge barely moved. It is zippy, picks up speed on the highway nicely. It is great fun!