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 Tiny Car - 2015 Toyota Prius c
  By Dimitrij Fedorov - February 1 - 7:10 am

  I bought a Prius C because I needed a cheap, reliable hatchback to use for work. Since then, I have discovered a lot of additional benefits, such as better-than-advertised fuel economy, very clever traction/braking control, quiet and comfortable ride (for a tiny vehicle) and great instrumentation. The amount of space in the rear seat area is almost obscene.

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  Great Tiny Car - 2015 Toyota Prius c
  By Dimitrij Fedorov - February 1 - 7:10 am

  I bought a Prius C because I needed a cheap, reliable hatchback to use for work. Since then, I have discovered a lot of additional benefits, such as better-than-advertised fuel economy, very clever traction/braking control, quiet and comfortable ride (for a tiny vehicle) and great instrumentation. The amount of space in the rear seat area is almost obscene.

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  Dont buy One - 2016 Toyota Camry
  By G.J. - February 1 - 4:10 am

  This vehicle has the worst ride ever. It constantly vibrates and the dealer will only tell you that this is the way it is supposed to ride. I got taken and you better drive it on the highway before you decide to but it. The ride and comfort is horrible. I will never buy another Toyota.

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  Why I like the 07 Corolla - 2007 Toyota Corolla
  By Veronica - February 1 - 3:53 am

  I love the way that it fits to my body. I sat in it at the dealership and I instantly fell in love. Samantha, (my saleswoman)is young, so she and I were able to relate about the sleek design and look that it has. The way that it handles the road makes me smile, and its ability to move so quickly are awsome!

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  Getting Better all the Time - 2009 Toyota Avalon
  By carlupi - January 31 - 9:56 pm

  Just returned from my second road trip in my 2009 Avalon XL, just over 600 miles roundtrip. I averaged 32 MPG on first leg and almost 35 MPG on the return, while doing 75 MPH most of the time. Amazing for a car this size. Im liking this car more all the time. Fantastic value for the price.

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  review - 2007 Toyota Highlander
  By C Jones - January 31 - 3:43 pm

  We were initially looking at the RAV4. It is a nice vehicle, but it doesnt come close the Highlander in terms of comfort and value. We got a V6 with 4 wheel drive and a 3rd seat for the price of a RAV4 with a V6. I think they are dealing on these because of the 6 year old body style. The ride is firm yet smooth and the handling is very carlike. The package that we bought has all of the options we wanted without the leather and other things we didnt need. This thing goes like crazy in the snow and didnt misstep when going up a steep, snow covered dirt road. Thoroughly impressed.

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  Nothing Replaces Horsepower - 2009 Toyota RAV4
  By qoquaq - January 31 - 3:43 pm

  From the moment I had this thing on the road, I loved it! Very fast, very good 4 wheeled discs, excellent handling, and gotta love the bluetooth. Never got the MPG as stated. City 16, combined 20 MPG, but I have a lead foot and love the twistys! This is the first car that I have owned that the word launch actually applies.

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  Soft Brakes, Wears Tires, Bad Service - 2002 Toyota Camry
  By ex-camry lover - January 31 - 2:16 pm

  Brakes are way soft, dealer cant seem to fix them. ABS engages so often on wet pavement when it shouldnt, feels unsafe to drive when ABS engages at inappropriate times. Seat cant be adjusted to feel comfortable. Suspension is so soft. At 53K drives like it has 100K. Dealerships in IL and TX have not been helpful with problems, they act like I am crazy, but now I am reading and many people have had the same problems. I am trading it in ASAP, even though it may be a loss, b/c I am worried about what might break next. Toyota should be ashamed of this vehicle, I had a 93 camry I loved so I bought this one, I should have paid less and bought something else. I will never buy toyota again!!

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  Needs some improvements! - 2006 Toyota Matrix
  By goat herder - January 31 - 12:23 pm

  Handling in any slightly icy or wet weather is very poor. Gear shifts are poor with the tachometer spiking up and down as automatic shifts into gears. No room in tire hold for a real tire. I prefer not to use the donut. When I was removing a package from the passenger side, a handle flipped over the gear shift and the car jumped into reverse! (Ignition was still on but had been in park.) Fueel economy is nowhere near the sticker. Best I have gotten (100 per day highway driving) is 26 mpg. Whenever the weather is cold or wet, fuel economy drops and the "sticking" problem with the gears increases. At times it feels like I have to push the car to get it to move.

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  First new car in 30 years. - 2008 Toyota Camry
  By P. Kusch - January 31 - 11:30 am

  I Have no regrets about buying this car except some disappointment that the manual transmission gets a little worse fuel mileage than the automatic. I think a six spd. manual would be nice, but I realize few people who buy Camrys buy manuals.