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:

• 

  Wonderful SUV - 2002 Toyota Highlander
  By Eric - October 20 - 8:13 am

  Outstanding after nearly 3 years, not even a blip. Smooth, fast and quiet. The hybrid is coming out next month (June 05) which will put Highlander in a league of its own.

• 

  Great Car!! - 2006 Toyota Prius
  By Kirk - October 20 - 8:03 am

  This is a wonderful car, we bought it to replace a 06 Chevy truck. We went from 14mpg to 55mpg in the summer!!! We see 50mpg in winter and 55mpg in the summer.

• 

  Loving it - 2000 Toyota Echo
  By SCOTT - October 20 - 7:00 am

  I cannot say enough about how I feel about this car . One word says it best, great. I love everything about it, from its storage withen to its 40 mpg. We live a couple of hours from Charlette NC and have taken our Echo at least 7 times not to mention a couple of trips to Tenn. and S.C. My wife is now saying that she is going to start to drive it to work because of gas prices. I usually fill it up every 2 weeks sometimes longer. When we bought it, it had 39k now we are at about 50k and still going strong.

• 

  Buying another Prius! - 2002 Toyota Prius
  By Strico - October 19 - 10:06 pm

  We do a lot of driving between towns in CT, and this has been a great car for that. We put about 20k miles/year on the car and have had zero problems. Our mileage has averaged between 42-50 mpg (more in summer, plus I have a tendency to speed). Were selling our 02 Prius, and have just bought an 05 Prius. Were loyal hybrid fans.

• 

  Unbelievable Vehicle! - 2009 Toyota Venza
  By Dave - October 19 - 9:46 pm

  I bought my new Venza in January from Jerrys Toyota in Baltimore, and have loved it from the beginning! The ride, handling and exterior styling is great! Drives like a Lexus (traded in a RX300).

• 

  Ultimate Q-Ship - 2007 Toyota RAV4
  By Mark - October 19 - 9:26 pm

  I highly recommend this vehicle. I purchased the V6 Limited 4WD with leather, all accessories. Competition was the Honda CR-V which was, finally, no competition. Toyota V6 engine is effortless and power is remarkable. 5-speed transmission is smooth, quiet, unobtrusive. Transmission does not hunt. With V6 engine there is some torque steer, not much compared to other 270 HP engines. Interior is quiet; leather stitching is precise; beware: rear door is very heavy. HVAC is excellent. Real world MPG: first few tanksful of gas, 24.0, 24.6, 23.2 and 26.1. Conditions: Fresno, 95 to 106 degree heat, air conditioning, some freeway, some street. Be very judicious with throttle. 4wheel discs excellent.

• 

  owner - 2005 Toyota Sequoia
  By mohsen - October 19 - 6:33 pm

  excellent suv,runs excellent -- very very strong

• 

  great ride never had better - 2005 Toyota Land Cruiser
  By Chirs Carpentieri - October 19 - 10:00 am

  pros: This car is a great ride I have never riden a better suv that is this big. It is right next to the mitsubishi endeavor. The navigation system is easy to use and great on the road. The seat are comfortable. This car is also a great 4wheel drive in the snow it has no trouble. I would get this over a hummer any day. Better on gass then most big size suvs. cons:Not the greatest body, on the outside. Cargo room is very little with 3rd row seating. A very heavy car for being made by toyota

• 

  one of the best SUVS on the market - 2004 Toyota Land Cruiser
  By Tyson at Miami Motor - October 19 - 10:00 am

  overall toyota has done an outstanding innovation to its landcruiser while many people may perfer the sequioa becasue of the cheaper tag the landcruiser is well wroth the price it is a symbol of sucess you dont see many on the road ... compared to the sequioa its WAY more Prestigious

• 

  4runner - 1994 Toyota 4Runner
  By pmsturgill - October 19 - 10:00 am

  i bought this vehicle a fewmonths ago, i go through cars like candy and this is by far the smoothest riding 4wd i have ever been in. i am wanting to sell do to gas mileage, but that is the only reason, i have to drive 90miles a day and this is not a good commuter vehicle. i have had some small things go wrong, trouble with rear window ssliders and motor seems weak has trouble when getting to the top, speedo stopped working and back seat windows dont work, who knows dont need em. i think this was a great SUV and qould recommend it for someone who doesnt drive far.