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 truck! - 1998 Toyota Tacoma
  By Bill - December 4 - 7:53 am

  As original owner and the sole driver of this vehicle for 210,000 miles, this is the best vehicle Ive ever owned. Considering buying another one, but Ill hold on to the old truck to drive to keep miles down on the new one! Not tons of power, but great for hauling light stuff, moving, landscaping, etc.

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  So Far So Good - 2001 Toyota Sequoia
  By rangermutt - December 4 - 2:51 am

  I purchased this used the summer of 2011 with 130,000 miles on the odometer and would never have purchased it with that many miles had I not seen records of the service that the original owner religiously followed at a local Toyota dealership. A new transmission was put in at just under 60k miles but otherwise the areas of complaint that I have read about including undersized brakes, frame rust-through and cracked exhaust headers I have not experienced (yet). I installed a trailer brake controller for towing a twin-axle 14 foot cargo trailer with GVWR of 6,500 lbs. I will also be driving it in the winter when the snow is too deep for my Miata.

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  Great SUV - 2007 Toyota Highlander
  By gmh1013 - December 4 - 1:13 am

  No problems at all. Moved across country in it, could use a few more HP maybe 175 on the 4 cyl but thats it. Avg 24 mpg between city and hwy in 8k miles. Use havoline 0w20 motor oil in it.

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  Bought three years ago and still love it - 2005 Toyota RAV4
  By Marcia Gruver - December 3 - 9:53 pm

  This is the best car Ive ever owned, and Im a 50-year-old woman, so Ive been around the car block. Its compact enough that it gives decent gas mileage and being an SUV, it puts me on the same level as the rest of the world. (In fact, Im a bit miffed theyre planning to make the 2007 models bigger -- if you want bigger, move on up to a Highlander or a Sequoia. Leave the Rav 4 alone!)

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  Great Car! - 2001 Toyota 4Runner
  By Charles - December 3 - 6:57 pm

  These cars are extremely reliable! I have had my 2001 4runner with 200,000 miles on it for 13 years. These things will climb anything, and the only problem i have ever had with it is that when it is rainy, the alternator belt squeaks. Overall, these cars are incredibly amazing!

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  Great, great car - 2007 Toyota Prius
  By jed - December 3 - 6:03 pm

  This is a great car. Comfortable, fun to drive, fascinating to use such a progressive vehicle. In Vancouver Canada, these things go for two hundred thousand miles between brake pad changes. I shake my head when trolls on this site trash the Prius. Fear, Uncertainty, and Doubt (FUD) turns many North Americans off these cars. "10,000 batteries need replacement every few years". "Emergency workers die from electrocution when getting survivors out of Prius wrecks". An Industry funded "study" that showed Hummers were more environmentally friendly than the Prius based on the most ridiculous assumptions i.e. Hummers last 300,000 miles but the Prius lasts only 100,000?, etc,etc.

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  190,000 Miles of Punishment Endured! - 2009 Toyota Corolla
  By Thomas P. - December 3 - 4:43 pm

  For the basic car driver: I was not joking in the title. I push this car harder than it was ever designed to be pushed. The gas pedal is more of an On/Off switch against the floor than something you step on lightly to get up to speed. To account for this, I do early oil changes and transmission services. The car has absolutely no fluid leakage whatsoever and the motor has never once missed on regular gas. Do NOT use premium fuel unless you install an aftermarket turbo and need the additional octane to eliminate detonation. The car hates High Octane fuel, especially on cold starts. For the Home Mechanic: This car is designed for simplicity of operation and service. To swap out the rear suspension, you literally pull 2 large bolts and the whole rear end is able to swing down to replace any component. Little things like this make me love it more. I have also installed 14,000 Lumens of off-road light bars and a 75 watt shortwave HAM radio in it. It took both and the alternator keeps up like a champ. I have modded, manipulated, and punished this car on 1000s of miles of logging roads and mountain passes and it keeps running. Best investment ever!

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  Great Rig - 2005 Toyota Tacoma
  By Harness - December 3 - 11:10 am

  The truck is fun to drive and is just the right size, not too big or too small. The fuel economy could be better, but I understand the short- falls of having 4-wheel drive. The driver seat could have more thigh support and running boards/tube steps should come as standard equipment. Overall, Im please with the rig and look to have it a long-time.

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  Best Car Ever! - 2006 Toyota Corolla
  By jungleking3 - December 3 - 10:06 am

  I got my license in 2003 and got a 1991 Toyota Corolla from my grandpa. I liked the car so much that I bought my own 2006 Corolla LE with the intent to keep it for as long as I could. I was not disappointed. I have had the car for 7 years now and cannot complain. The only things I had to change on this car was wear and tear. I also had the ECU replaced under warranty as well. I think this is a great car that is cheap to maintain and drive. I have put 140,000 miles on it so far and am planning on going 300,000+ without any issues.

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  Exactly what I was looking for - 2009 Toyota Corolla
  By NinjaRob - December 3 - 7:33 am

  My new Corolla S is exactly what I was looking for. Great looks, nice interior and Toyota reliability. While some reviews on this car put is behind the competition, I think the real points are missed. Lets face it, people buy Toyotas for their reputation of being safe and reliable. This new Corolla is all that, plus it looks great and is very comfortable. It is my third new Toyota and I hope I remain as happy with this car as my previous Toyotas!