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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  Satisfied so far - 2011 Toyota Sienna
  By sunbomb - September 19 - 2:00 am

  3-year lease on an XLE. Did not bother to get it with nav or entertainment. Since we have smartphones, this seems like a good choice even a month on. Good looking van. Some questionable exterior design choices (like the presence of a quite visible panel at the lower end of the sliding doors.) Wife loves the black color. Interior is (like many people mentioned) a bit cheap looking, but hey if that bothers you so much, you should not buy it at all. Design of the cabin lights is really bad. The back of the 3rd row along with the appearance of the cargo well is not as polished as the Odyssey. Comm Technology is not good at all. Bluetooth is a hit-or-miss affair.

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  Great car for the money - 2011 Toyota Camry
  By Tim - September 19 - 2:00 am

  I have to admit i was a little concerned after reading the so called professional reviews. I love this car. fit and finish is excellent and the looks are outstanding in the SE model. V6 and trans are very smooth with good acceleration. I like the fact that the SE suspension is not rock hard pounding like some of the other models Ive tested. Gives you a little extra firmness with it not being to firm. Very happy with my purchase.

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  The Best Gets Better - 2005 Toyota Avalon
  By gene - September 18 - 4:10 pm

  I followed the new Avalons development from 2003. Toyota kept it a secret amidst all kinds of speculation. I loved my 1998, which has 150,000 miles on it. This one surpasses it by magnitudes of order. I used regular gas in my 98 and Im doing the same in my new Limited -- the difference in responsiveness is minimal so far. Toyota has done good. And I certainly hope that the rumored similarly designed 2007 larger Camry doesnt cramp this Avalons style!!

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  Mostly Happy with Purchase - 2007 Toyota RAV4
  By Les - September 18 - 11:43 am

  The snappy appearance and features are nice. The V-6 is powerful at about the same size as the engine in our Highlander. I have read many of the customer reviews and did not see anyone mentioning an engine whine between 35-45 mph. I dont know if this is a problem with having the V-6 and only 2w drive (does the engine need more resistance?).

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  Gramps first compact car. - 2007 Toyota Corolla
  By By Butters - September 18 - 11:16 am

  Im 65 years old and this Corolla just makes me like it more each time I drive it. In the city it runs around like a peppy little rabbit and on the highway it handles 75 mph speed limits like you are going 50. Fully loaded with 3 big adults and luggage and coolers (the trunk is larger than you think) cruising at 75 mph our gas mileage was 37 & 38 mpg. Less money and better equipped than all the other vehicles I tested. In a few years I may give this car to my grandson and then I may try a Camry. Anyway, buy one and start to enjoy it right now.

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  A Great Work Truck - 2007 Toyota Tundra
  By way2fun_lotus - September 18 - 10:26 am

  After reading some of these reviews, I have to wonder if there arent some Toyota haters posting misinformation. I have a 2007 with 47,000 miles on that I have worked the you know what out of, and I have never had a single issue with it. No stuck accelerator, no rust, no tailgate problems, no radio problems, no vibrating bed, etc. The truck has been bullet proof just like you would expect a truck to be. My only issue with it is its large size. Its a lot to maneuver, and I sometimes wish it was smaller. On the flip side, I cant tell you how many times Ive had the bed stacked full of stuff and was grateful for the size of it.

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  Great car thats reliable and economic - 2012 Toyota Corolla
  By Joseph Thomas - September 18 - 10:24 am

  I purchased this vehicle from a dealership in Colorado Springs a month ago and have already driven it over 2,000 miles. The interior is by no means luxurious, the electronics are simple, and the acceleration is about the same level as a Prius. Non of these things matter to me as I was looking for a dependable, economic and basically a car to get you from A to B. In this sense this car is about as good as it gets. The driving I do is probably tougher then most Americans as I live in the mountains of Colorado and frequently travel up to 12,000 feet and then back down to 7,000 feet in a matter of a few miles, along with constant hills to climb. Despite this I have averaged 34 total mpg. I have even driven from Denver to Moab and back multiple times since owning this vehicle and it drives great. Great car for a reliable A to B ride.

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  TOYOTA AVALON - 2008 Toyota Avalon
  By PES - September 18 - 1:03 am

  I just purchased this 2008 Avalon replacing a 2001 BMW 530i. the Avalon is NOT a BMW. On the other hand, it burns the same amount of "regular" fuel, is very comfortable to drive, has great traction in snow, and has more bells and whistles than the 530. The BMW cost a fortune to service (yes, the BMW folks are as polite and pleasant as all heck as they charge $150 for an oil change) and I am hoping that the Toyota does not. The fit and finish are equal and the Avalon cost about $20,000 less. Am I happy? you bet I am

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  Answer to MPG dream - 2012 Toyota Prius c
  By pablo50 - September 17 - 10:20 pm

  This review will be only for someone looking for excellent MPG! I drive 1,350 miles a week. 5,400 miles a month. (Every month - IC Courier). Ive had the car for 6 months, 22 days. It has consistantly averaged 51.3 mpg. ECO Mode gives you the best results in city. Regular mode (not ECO) gives best results on freeway. My best has been 59.1 in city driving, 47.8 on freeway. I owned a 2011 Corolla before this and at best only averaged 30 mpg. I drive 50% city, 50% freeway. I am saving $311.00 per month. Compared to the Corolla. Wish I would have bought the car when it first hit the market! These are "real-life" results. Hope this helps.....

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  TO GET IT PERFECT - 2005 Toyota Tacoma
  By Bob - September 17 - 4:30 pm

  At the time this little beauty was unmatched in the market place. Probably still is. However, to make it perfect, for guys who are not small, the seat could be larger for better leg support, the noise level, was really noticable from my Sport Trac and the suspension bottoms out way to often over large bumps that can occur on our nations rail track crossings.