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 wish I had a reason to buy a new car. - 1997 Toyota Avalon
  By Lance497 - December 17 - 2:00 am

  Folks, there simply is no contest. This manufacturer builds every car - and EVERY PART to Lexus standards.

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  LEMON DUE TO MANUFAC. PLANT? - 1999 Toyota Camry Solara
  By LAN - December 17 - 2:00 am

  PURCHASED USED(12500); TOYOTA CERTIFIED;.fIRST, FRONT END NOISE;FIXED ONE YEAR LATER.NEXT ENGINE LIGHT ON WITHIN 3 MONTHS; SOLENOID? OR TRANSMISSION?.TRANSMISSION OIL DIRTY/BURNT EARLY ON;PROBLEMS 55000;INTERIOR WOOD GRAIN FADES; DEFROSTER HARD FOR ME TO OPERATE; LIGHTS AND DOOR LOCKS COMING ON NOW...ALWAYS SOMEIN..LEMON?

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  I LOVE MY MATRIX - 2004 Toyota Matrix
  By PLANTGIRL - December 17 - 2:00 am

  THIS IS SUCH A GREAT CAR! I LOVE ALL THE SPACE AND THE WAY IT LOOKS. HONESTLY, THIS IS THE IDEAL CAR FOR ME...GREAT GAS MILEAGE, AFFORDABLE, SMALL CAR WITH LOTS OF SPACE. I COULDNT HAVE ASKED FOR MORE!

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  No Matrix pun/ movie tie in here! - 2003 Toyota Matrix
  By spaceacealpha - December 17 - 2:00 am

  This is an excellent car for its price range. If I had a chance to do it all over again, I would do the same and get the XR. The XRS has a more powerful engine, only at 5500RPM. Below that it has the same HP as the others, even the base model. It doesnt have as many aftermarket accessories as the XR either. You can add the currently available engine accessories to the XR and get just as much power with a full powerband over the RPM range. IE: A supercharged XR with CAI can beat a stock XRS. This has been proven on the track. I love my XR and I cant wait to start hopping it up with custom accessories!

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  Avalon XLS is the best! - 2004 Toyota Avalon
  By Landlocked - December 17 - 2:00 am

  Traveling TX and LA, I wanted a car that would give me a big car feel without the floating of the full size luxury cars. I wanted at least 3,000 lbs, 107" wheelbase, to stay under $30,000. There were only 11 cars TOTAL that qualified! Right at $30,000 the Avalon XLS is the best ride / feel / power / luxury / safety for the money. The performance of the standard 6 cyl is more than adequate! Sure, I could have spent a thousand or two less, but for the extra features and luxury, this Avalon XLS is da bomb!

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  Fun Pickup - 2004 Toyota Tundra
  By tundraman - December 17 - 2:00 am

  Tundra sits high on 17" wheels, its stylish has great pick-up.Its resposive and fun to drive. Has one drawback a bit of a rough idle.

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  2004 Solara Review - 2004 Toyota Camry Solara
  By Fergy1020 - December 17 - 2:00 am

  Great car. 2nd Solara I have owned (1999) and the quality continues. Ordered with optioinal Nav system which is impressive and works very well. Also ordered with Satellite radion option which dealer thought would come with the Nav system. Was quite a project to get Satellite radio installed after the car was delivered without it!! Car rides well and is very quiet.

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  camry the unreliable - 2004 Toyota Camry
  By mkira - December 17 - 2:00 am

  At first we were excited to getting this car, then the excitement faded and came stress from taking it back to the dealership to get it fixed. Three times in a bout 7 months the same problem is happening. We are hoping it will happen again so the lemon law will work and we could return the hunk of junk and get all of our money back.

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  Traveling FL guy - 2010 Toyota Corolla
  By Jay - December 16 - 5:10 pm

  I traded my car in while traveling to Maryland. After all the dealer tried to pick pocket me, I ended up pick pocketing them. I got the car for right at the TMV price and its awesome! The car seems to drift to the left a little not sure if its the crown in the roads or what. I am now in Maryland and nothing is flat here so hard to tell if the alignment is off or tire low. Great car, mileage is close to what sticker says. I averaged 80mph and got 35-36 mpg. I love the fuel economy.

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  Tundra is my best vehicle eve - 2001 Toyota Tundra
  By Sadius_Dread - December 16 - 10:00 am

  Without a doubt, my Tundra has been the best truck so far. The only issue is the relative poor gas mileage that it has. It rides well and easily meets my needs. If I would change anything is some more leg room in extended cab since only small children could be comfortable in back.