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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  2005 Toyota Highlander - 2005 Toyota Highlander
  By Tex - April 28 - 7:13 pm

  Great pep and pick-up, good braking with 4 wheel discs. Good cross country car. Have not been back for any warranty service. Very reliable.

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  Paint Chips Easy, Bad Acceleration - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By Another Complaint - April 28 - 3:43 pm

  We were about to buy a Rav4, but my wife loved the Camry design. So we bought it. It hesitates to accelerate. All this "drive by wire" is crap. It takes seconds for the computer to react to the pedal. Give me good ol cable. The paint is the worst. 9000 miles and it has almost 100 chips and holes on the front bumper. The worst cheap paint. The rest is nice about the car, but man those two can overpower the nice things about the car. MPG are lies, read the EPA testing procedures and you will know why this car says 34mpg. You will never get 34. 50/50 city/hwy, we get 25mpg average. EPA lies.

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  2008 Corolla S - 2008 Toyota Corolla
  By rjvatlanta - April 27 - 7:21 pm

  I bought this car used with 75,000 miles and now own it 15 months and 20,000 miles later. Other than changing the oil and brakes & rotors, I have had no mechanical issues. Bought it as a reliable commuter car and it is living up to the assignment.

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  City MPG doesnt match - 2013 Toyota Camry
  By zipper6 - April 26 - 4:32 pm

  I bought this car 3 weeks ago, I like everything about this 2013 CAMRY SE except the advertised MPG and exterior. We had a good deal from the dealer thats the reason I bought this. MPG advertised for CITY is little misleading for what I have noticed. 3 weeks close to 800 miles now and car give me 18-20 Avg in city. 25 MPG only if their are no lights and no stop sign. On HWY I get 40 MPG if I drive 65 miles on cruise. If I drive 70+ MGP goes down to 35-38. So I am happy cruising on 65 :) but little mad when driving in city :( Exterior looks little cheap than compared to my 1997 old camry i told 4 years go. Overall its a good car and hope it stays reliable like everyone says.

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  Greate commuter car - 2004 Toyota Matrix
  By long commute - April 26 - 2:00 am

  Fun to drive (my teenage daughter LOVES it!) and great gas mileage. OK power for hwy cruising but not much power for passing.

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  highlander 2004 - 2004 Toyota Highlander
  By kdesai - April 26 - 2:00 am

  Bought new 2004 highlander. works fine. only 1200 miles on it so can not write more.

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  Good car! - 2010 Toyota Corolla
  By MJ - April 25 - 7:13 pm

  I recently purchased the 2010 Corolla. It is the LE version. Not spectacular, but it is a Corolla, what do you expect? One thing I have noticed is that at half a tank of fuel I have 283 miles - no joke. I had a Tundra before, so I know how to baby and engine. Use the average miles pg display that continuously updates. You will notice that you can very easily keep it in the 40s or more. I am getting 34 miles per gallon combined. It is possible, just dont waste your time accelerating a 4 cylinder. I felt safer in the Tundra, but I prefer the fact that it gets over twice the mileage of the Tundra and that saves a couple hundred in gas a month.

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  Disappointed Owner :( - 2006 Toyota Camry Solara
  By Sad Owner :( - April 25 - 11:16 am

  I’m very disappointed on how the cars finish has held up. My sun visors on both sides have been replaced 3 time because of a wear hole in the same place, dashboard marks up and can’t remove marks, top has a hole in it from where it folds over when the top is down, window rubber stoppers keep falling off after 3 repairs, door panel is coming undone and about 5 more things that are poor quality. I’ve been to the dealership MANY times and was told by Toyota area tech that Toyota “doesn’t care” and that’s what happens to convertibles when exposed to the sun. POOR ENGINEERING!!! I thought I was buying a Toyota and a company that stands behind without a fight, but I was wrong. This was my 5th new Toyota.

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  Just picked it up. - 2002 Toyota 4Runner
  By sneuman - April 25 - 10:00 am

  I purchased because of the great lease from Chase Bank on this car for 39 months. Check it out. Slower then my Radio but some nicer features such as sliding rear window, nicer leather, and more room. Warranty needs to be longer. Tons of room. Easy to use controls. My 2nd Toyota, I could fit my first one into the back.

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  Great car, but not perfect - 2001 Toyota Celica
  By CelicaAgain - April 25 - 10:00 am

  This is my 4th Toyota that I have owned, and it is my 2nd Celica. My first Celica was a 1989, and the memory of it was somewhat responsible for me going back to a Celica. This model is much more stylish in my opinion. It performs and handles much better than its predecesor as well. I guess my major complaint about this model is the lack of comfort on longer road trips. After about an hour in this car, my back is in noticable pain and I cannot wait for my drive to be completed. Mechanically, I expect this car to be as good as my earlier version, which is exceptional. The price was right for what you get on this model, I just wish that Toyota had put more thought into seat comfort.