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 vehicle; legendary Toyota quality - 2006 Toyota Highlander
  By Beachsixpack - July 22 - 11:33 pm

  Excellent vehicle. Love the nav, leather seats, climate control, sunroof, nothing but good things to say. Gas mileage could be better, average 23-25 highway, about 20 around town.

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  Recommended - 2006 Toyota RAV4
  By MFM - July 22 - 5:33 pm

  I was skeptical with SUVs before but I proved myself wrong after driving the new RAV4 06. The stability control gives me the security to drive one. Im loving the powerful V6 engine too. The size is just right-not too big but with enough legroom. The only thing I dont like about it is the sound system. The sound tend to be boxy even on FM stations.

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  Awesome - 2008 Toyota Sequoia
  By John - July 21 - 9:06 pm

  The new Sequoia is a great SUV. I used to be a GM truck guy, but had so many reliability and customer service problems that I finally conducted a fair assessment of the large SUVs available and the Sequoia came out on top. It handles great (not like the 5,900 pound SUV that it is), looks great, and the time is right to buy.

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  Camry SE 2016 purchase is a disaster - 2016 Toyota Camry
  By Jo - July 21 - 7:16 pm

  The Vehicle moves even before you start the engine (Try rev shift and you will loose control of the vehicle in the slightest slope area .Turn the Ignition key after the dash board lights go off and before you actually start the engine). The ground brakes freezes and Steering Freezes. The Shift from Parking to Reverse is too hard . You feel like ripping the interiors of the shift box. The vehicle accelerates when you attempt to apply the brakes . The entertainment system is the worst. Doesnt Navigate through folders. Doesnt even play songs in the same folder when using USB drive(download mp3 songs from various sources and try yourself). You have to do all of them manually. The rear windows give a grumbling noise while rolling down as if you are rolling them on stones. Vehicle is barely 3 months old and you know what, Toyota takes pride in declaring all of them as designed to the needs and nothing is a defect and so they dont care. And Toyota declined to give me copy of the dealers reports nor any access to the Case i raised, neither in an email nor on the Toyota website. They already performed 1 recall in month of May on my vehicle and i see 2 more new recalls on this site. This new defect piece is no match to my old used Honda Accord. They are just washing off the hands saying some customers may not like the features(wondering can there ever be any customer wanting to have the above defects?) and trying to pass on the time till the warranty is over.

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  I still love my Avalon - 2004 Toyota Avalon
  By Mattie - July 21 - 1:56 pm

  Purchased my Avalon in June of 2004. I am faithful with oil changes and tire rotation. Have had no problems whatsoever with this car. Inside and outside are still just like new. As comfortable as any car I have ever ridden in. The gas mileage is not as good as the Camry I had before but the comfort of the Avalon makes up for this - especially if you are driving any distance.

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  Stout little 4 cylinder 4x4 - 2016 Toyota Tacoma
  By Joe - July 21 - 1:31 pm

  I just love my new truck. It rides and drive very nice, and its very quiet inside the cab. The four has plenty power and the ect button will give you more power. I just did not want to spend and extra 4000 dollars on the V6. My truck cost was right around 27000. If your not towing anything the four is fine. I would get a full size truck if I was spending over 33000, so why bother with the V6. My mpg have been 22.5 with 2200 miles.

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  Good but certain aspects make me go hmmmm - 2015 Toyota Tundra
  By Matthew - July 21 - 7:07 am

  I like the truck, but dont love it. I had to get rid of my 02 lexus lx470 (landcruiser) and it drove so great for a truck. This rides a little rough in the city, great highway truck. 4x4 engaged does not handle well at low speeds and sometimes the transmission has trouble finding the right gear on certain terrain. Interior is too plastic, antennae has to be manually removed and side mirrors are not auto either. passenger seat is manual and there is a lot of wasted space in the back that could be storage. However, I love it on regular driving, love the backseat room and sunroof and back window that totally drops down. The stereo is awesome. Gas mileage is terrible but that is expected. I drive my vehicles a long time so I bought it mostly for Toyota reliability and I personally thought it was a better truck than Chevy Silverado, Ford F150 and Dodge that I test drove.

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  Back to Tacoma - 2004 Toyota Tacoma
  By Steve ATL - July 21 - 6:53 am

  Back to Toy truck after trying Ford & Saturn- not nearly same quality. Had 90 4x4 Toy P/U and loved it. 100 miles a day- great cruising highway and some offroad. Dont miss 4x4 much- this has height and view I like and handles great. Plenty of power and if this runs like my old truck- just change oil and go. Had 150,000 on my old one and gave it to my brother,

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  Logical Opinion - Tall Man - 2006 Toyota Tacoma
  By EAHinsch - July 21 - 4:20 am

  The Tacoma is my fourth Toyota, and second Tacoma (1999). This truck is substantially larger than the previous models and it is wonderful. I am 66", 290 lbs and I fit in the vehicle with plenty of room. I do enjoy the interior and exterior styling and feel it gets decent gas mileage for a truck that is built to be taken off-road. If you are looking for fuel efficiency, I dont know why you would be looking for a 4WD truck. I have 8,800 miles on my Taco and it has not had any problems. The truck has plenty of power when you need it and drives like a truck, which I enjoy. If you want a "car-like" ride, I recommend a 4Runner which I own as well or a Highlander. This is a mans truck!

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  good car - 1997 Toyota Celica
  By tilent - July 21 - 2:00 am

  what can i say, this car is great, the look, the style, the gas mileage is great