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. - 2001 Toyota Echo
  By Scott - February 23 - 2:20 pm

  This has been the best car I owned hands down. 190,000 miles and still zipping along. Im very tall and this car has better leg and head room than most any other car Ive sat in. Fun to drive and great mileage (38-40 hwy). No work done other than tires and oil changes. Still have original battery and did not need brakes until 150,000 miles. I plan on getting 300,000 out of this and Ill try to find another one for my next car. Stereo system is awsome too.

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  Very Comfortable SUV - 2003 Toyota Sequoia
  By FlaCapn - February 23 - 7:53 am

  Having test driven the competition, the Sequoia was an easy choice. The Sequoia has nice lines, is a joy to drive, even the third row seats are comfortable. Ive had mine for two years now and would get one again if I had the need. I still smile when I get in this thing and drive it, Toyota did a great job.

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  Why I bought a 2012 Toyota Sienna - 2012 Toyota Sienna
  By vanperson - February 23 - 2:50 am

  I have driven vans since 1976, starting with a Ford Econoline 150 followed by a string of 5 Chrysler minivans. In 2006, I purchased an new Oddesey EX-L . It was by far the best minivan I had ever owned. After posting nearly 90,000 mi of mostly trouble-free driving, some periodic transmission slippage prompted me to go shopping. I loved the Oddesey styling except its face that resembled a 2001 Oddesey. I also liked the style of Siennas. In short, Honda wouldnt deal and Toyota was eager. Still leary of the Sienna, I took a long test drive in both an XLE and a SE. The SE drove much like the Honda. The dealer added a light grey leather interior, awesome! Happy at 20K miles and 0% financing.

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  Petite, yet powerful - 2001 Toyota Corolla
  By Mightyp - February 23 - 2:33 am

  I bought this car (LE) as a commuter car (my other is a 454 crew cab) and the gas savings alone is paying for itself. I commute 150 miles one way to work and this car has never let me down in the 2 years of operation. I plan to utilize it one more year and trade up to a 06 model. The VVT-i gives me back the power to fly over Pacheco Pass (CA) seamlessly. Everything is within reach and ergonomically correct. Since I seldom have passengers the back seat is premium extra storage for me. This is a very reliable car that does what its designed to do for pennies on the dollar.

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  Great off-road vehicle - 1999 Toyota 4Runner
  By pjatty - February 22 - 10:43 pm

  The 1999 Toyota 4Runner SR5 4x4 (with automatic transmission) is simply the best stock SUV I have seen for off-road use. It is so light that it tends to skim across the surface of mud with the 4x4 engaged, rather than sinking like a Tahoe. It is narrow, so it can make it through skinny trails. It has high ground clearance and skid plates on key components, so it less likely to get damaged. It has a relatively short wheel base (which combined with the high ground clearance and removing the running boards) means it is unlikely to get high centered anywhere, unlike a Suburban. Any it is still very reliable after 115,000 miles.

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  The Good and Bad of the Corolla - 2009 Toyota Corolla
  By Speedsaver - February 22 - 5:40 pm

  The Good 1: Remote Trunk release 2: Exterior design 3: Night Vision 4: visibility while driving 5: Gas mileage 6: Display of average and instant mpg 7: Steering and turn cycle 8: Parking spaces 9: ABS and 6 Airbags The Bad 1: Clock location and have to cycle through display to get to it. should be on stereo or like in the 2009 Camry LE 2: Smaller console 3: Cloth Material (cheap) 4: The body metal is thin that in cleaning they bent the cover to gas cap 5: Doors feel light and weak 6: The car seems like it would not take a 5mph or less impact to the bumper well. 7: Smaller rear space could not fit my Infant Seat there but could with the 2004 Corolla LE 8: rides stiff

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  HIghlander Happiness - 2013 Toyota Highlander
  By DavlynEvans - February 22 - 1:25 pm

  Ive had my Highlander for over 3 years. Ive had no issues. Its a great vehicle and I can use the third row to haul extra kids or put those seats down and carry lots of stuff. My only issue is when the third row is being used, there is almost no storage space behind the third row.

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  Great reliability and drive for a van - 2002 Toyota Sienna
  By stickywickett - February 22 - 10:00 am

  Own a 2002 Toyota Sienna LE symphony with 42,000 miles, and absolutely NO problems at all. Only maintenance required was oil changes every 5,000 miles. Nothing fancy about the styling of this van, but it gets the job done (transporting kids safely, comfortably, and reliably).

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  My 2nd RAV4 - 2004 Toyota RAV4
  By Patsie - February 22 - 10:00 am

  This is the most comfortable ride. the seat molds your body which makes driving so easy. Five people are not crowded and you can carry on conversations easily because the motor is so quiet. My next car down the road (about 2-3 years) will be a RAV4!!!!

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  HAPPY TRAILS - 2002 Toyota Sequoia
  By JERI - February 22 - 10:00 am

  BASIC 4WD BUT IT WORKS GREAT ( SNOW, MUD,SAND,RAIN)COMFORT OUTSTANDING,FUN TO DRIVE ON LONG TRIPS PARKS REAL EASY ALSO ROOM FOR EIGHT ADULTS NOT JUST KIDS