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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  Runs and Runs - 2000 Toyota Corolla
  By Louise - September 20 - 11:23 pm

  My first Toyota and wont be my last. I love the pep and frugal gas usage. It is everything I want in a car! Would buy another Corolla in a heartbeat.

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  Quality Corolla - 2014 Toyota Corolla
  By timw314 - September 20 - 7:39 pm

  Before purchasing my Corolla I test drove a Hyundai Elantra and the Mazda 3 at the same price point $21,500 . To me the 2014 Corolla has the best quality,features and styling. The dash reminds me of a 1972 Chevelle.... in a good way. I really like the Blue tooth, back up camera Sport seats are really comfortable with lots of adjustments. large sunroof. The S model wheels are awesome! The CVT trans is great on the highway. To me it accelerates strange in the city on hills. The sport mode is fun with shift points. makes it feel pretty fast. Paddle shifters? really? I probably wont use them much.

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  04 Sienna - 2004 Toyota Sienna
  By Jim Rose - September 20 - 5:50 pm

  Smooth, quiet and a lot more peppy than my 2000 Windstar.

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  Get One... - 2002 Toyota Sequoia
  By Nopars - September 20 - 2:13 pm

  If you want a big SUV - this is it. Looked at all the others (any you know who they are)- none compared to this car. Excellent quality thoughout with better passenger room than any of the domestics. I dont know about towing as we only towed trailor with AUV or lawnmower. You wont be disappointed. We would buy it again!!

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  Smooth Runner But Very Uncomfortable - 2006 Toyota Tacoma
  By Tim - September 20 - 7:43 am

  The Tacoma is very quiet and smooth. Comfortable ride but sloppy handling. Very little brake feel. The base model seats are absolutely miserable. The seat belt receptacles are too far over causing them to rub on my hip (I actually paid an upholstery shop to move the driver side over!). Im a thin person, if you are heavy or wide you simply wont fit. The steering wheel does not telescope out far enough forcing you into an uncomfortable driving position. I have owned it 4 months and Im already looking to trade it off because I just cant get comfortable in the thing. Too bad, too, because it seems well built otherwise.

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  So much better than Chrysler - 2006 Toyota Sienna
  By bsief - September 20 - 5:23 am

  This is a quiet-running vehicle. I can actually hear my kids talking to me from the 3rd row seats. At neighborhood speeds, I barely hear the van running. It is easier to park than the Chrysler Town & Country van I previously drove for 8 years. The cargo area is very practical for hauling groceries, soccer gear, anything. It is recessed from the rest of the floor level, so things dont shift and roll around the van. It is easy to drive. It drivesmore like a car than a minivan. A big plus is that it comes in AWD. Not a 4 wheel drive option that I can shift into if needed. It drives in 4 wheel mode as needed. Excellent control, tight steering. Buy it!

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  So far, so good! - 2009 Toyota Sienna
  By Dave - September 20 - 3:03 am

  This is my third van (the other two were a Ford and an Olds) and the Toyota is definitely the best riding. Build quality is excellent and the engine very smooth and powerful. At this point I have no complaints, but have high expectations based on Toyotas reputation. Will keep you updated.

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  Avalon, Toyota, 2001 - 2002 Toyota Avalon
  By Avalon - September 20 - 2:00 am

  An excellent vehicle... smooth, quiet, and powerfull... more room and comfort for front and back passengers than the many SUVs I test drove... roomy trunk... big enough to feel secure, safe, and comfortable, and small enough to still feel somewhat sporty.

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  Voted Best Midsize Sedan for 1994 - 1994 Toyota Camry
  By krg61 - September 20 - 2:00 am

  This is overall the best car I have ever owned. Sleek and comfortable, no major problems when serviced regularly. Definitely a car for either rush hour or for road trips. When it came down between this and a Honda Accura, the Camry won, hands down.

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  The Greatest Car in the World - 2002 Toyota Celica
  By TheMan - September 20 - 2:00 am

  This car is so perfect there is noyhing negative to write!!!