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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  Best value for the money - 2013 Toyota Avalon Hybrid
  By s19g27 - October 9 - 4:17 pm

  I purchased my 2013 new in October 2013 and just made in through the toughest winter in over 100 years with flying colors. MPG slips in cold weather but once the car heats up 42mpg+ is HWY average at about 70mph, sometimes more. To get optimum mileage a break in period is needed and then use cruise control whenever possible. I expect this car to last 500,000+ miles but not with 10,000 miles per oil change. I do that every 5000 miles now and may drop that to every 4000 miles which with the battery often pulling the car drops that even more. If you want it to last that long, you must change the oil more frequently. Absolutely the best engineered car in the industry today.

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  great suv - 2005 Toyota Highlander
  By Susie - October 9 - 3:56 pm

  Best automobile Ive ever owned, rides & handles like a car, not a suv truck. Handles really well in the snow.

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  Best Vehicle Ive Owned - 2004 Toyota 4Runner
  By Taterhole - October 9 - 3:36 pm

  This was the first Toyota Ive owned. This vehicle has completely sold me on Toyota build quality and mechanical reliability. 62K on it now and weve never experienced a mechanical problem. The 6 is plenty powerful (23 mpg) and the thing rides as comfortably as a car. Fun to drive? I wouldnt go that far, but it is very comfortable. The quality of the interior materials is first-rate. Im not fond of the exterior styling and the paint on our 4Runner has been poor from day one. This surprised me, considering the quality workmanship elsewhere.

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  Could be better finish - poor gas mileage - 2010 Toyota Corolla
  By Douglas R - October 9 - 8:33 am

  I am a Toyota fan and have owned many including 3 Corollas, This 2010 falls short compared to its peers in terms of interior finish (hard and cheap feeling compared to wifes 2010 Rabbit). Gas mileage is at least 30% less than advertised and no amount of TLC seems to make a difference. Steering a bit erratic. Cheap warning buzzer. Running perfectly according to dealer. Would not buy another one at this price.

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  2007 Rav4 $1700.00 Water eva System - 2007 Toyota RAV4
  By kkb3130 - October 9 - 5:00 am

  Original owner 66949 miles. Symptom Check Engine lite/ Swerve tires lite & VSC lite. Advised "cracked" Canister (77740-0R010) $1000.00 no ryme or reason given. Repair done in 2hrs, very unhappy & will be trading in for another brand near future. I feel this was design flaw in system & toyota not taking resposibility. My next car wont be Toyota. kkb3130

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  This car rocks! - 2004 Toyota Celica
  By aznbearsf - October 8 - 10:56 pm

  The Toyota Celica is the pinnacle of sport cars. For an avid tuner like myself, this car has a lot of potential. Even if you leave it all stock, it still has a lot of punch to run with those RSXs and Accords.

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  Definitely a car to consider - 2003 Toyota Corolla
  By Julie - October 8 - 10:30 pm

  I have no complaints about my awesome 2003 corolla S. Ive had the car for a little over 2 years, and have had to do no maintenance but change the oil. The exterior is very well made. Ive even had a falcon fly into the hood of my car, and you cant even notice the tiny dent in the hood! All around excellent car!

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  Enjoyable to drive, good price - 2005 Toyota Highlander
  By Greg - October 8 - 6:36 pm

  After looking at several vehicles, and test driving them, we felt this was the most vehicle for our money. The closest one we considered was the Saturn Vue. After driving the Highlander though there was really no comparison. The Vue was junk! Like the first review stated, a baby seat in the center of the second row is very difficult to get in tight! Does not fit well!

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  RAV4 reveiw - 2015 Toyota RAV4
  By steve mclain - October 8 - 3:07 am

  So far car is all it is advertised

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  Love my camry - 1999 Toyota Camry
  By rick - October 7 - 11:16 am

  Solid car, good transportation, reliable, great gas mileage, no mechanical problems, changed the oil regularly, third set of tires, will drive it til it falls apart.