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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  Quality Truck - 2000 Toyota Tundra
  By PLK - June 18 - 10:00 am

  Aside from small interior, this truck offers many benefits. economical, tough, great performance, reliable

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  Attention to Detail...I love my Tacoma - 2004 Toyota Tacoma
  By Chuckykhan - June 18 - 10:00 am

  This truck is jun to drive. V6 provides plenty of power. I dont see why anyone would need this vehicle with 4WD unless you plan on driving up a rock hewn canyon. RWD is the best value and this truck will pull 6000lbs!!! Mine came with the deluxe tow hitch. This is my second Toyota in 8 months. I now own a 2004 Sienna and a 2004 Tacoma. Same color. Toyota is the best and most reliable. Hands down.

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  fun to drive - 2004 Toyota 4Runner
  By jose fonseca - June 18 - 10:00 am

  I love the way it drive and with 246 horse power v6 engine that can take on with any v8. this is one of the vest in its class.

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  Oh what a feeling! - 2004 Toyota Corolla
  By hodadernie - June 18 - 10:00 am

  I was very surprised at the comfort and quietness at freeway speed, awesome sound from the c/d cassette combo, and plenty of storage from the well designed two seperate storage areas center console. Outstanding rapid cool down from the a/c.

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  built to last - 2004 Toyota Camry
  By RHOPE - June 18 - 10:00 am

  Good quality,ok pickup,stops great,quiet ride,great CD and radio. 32mph on the radd, 30mph in town,Heated seats are nice,impressed so far

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  Honda is out, Toyota is in - 2004 Toyota Camry
  By dwarflord - June 18 - 10:00 am

  I looked at Accord and Camry. Looking at the Honda I noticed a lot of fit and finish problems I had never seen on any of my previous 4 hondas. I then drove a camry and the comfort and feel was a big jump over, not only the civic, but the accord as well. The ride was so quiet, no engine noise, no creaks, no rattles and very very smooth. I owned a tacoma in the past as well and had 0 problems in the 4 years I owned it, never ever took it in. In the 8 months I owned my civic I had it in the dealership 3x for all different issues, last of which was a transmission problem at less than 6k miles. I guess its a good time to trade up to a toyota now.

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  RUSTING FRAME! - 2010 Toyota 4Runner
  By RUSTY TOYOTA - June 18 - 7:54 am

  Bought this vehicle because it rated high, even though it cost more money than competitor models. Reliability is worth it to me. HOWEVER, the frame started having significant rust after just a few years and was causing some expensive repairs. Fire shield rusted off and was removed. Now the massive skid plate bracket rusted off. Toyota service just removed the entire unrepairable skid plate due to the level of rust. There is nothing left to attach to. The mechanics said they were afraid to scrape or chip any more rust because they were afraid that other stuff would fall of and make the vehicle even more unsafe to drive. They indicated that this is absolutely excessive rust on the frame that should not happen. Their official Toyota Repair Estimate to fix the rusting, failing frame and make it safe again is $17,783.71 which is half the value of a brand new vehicle!!!!! Toyota Corporate said, sorry, we have recalled many other rusting frames on our other models because they should not have rusted they way that have, but unfortunately for you, we will not stand behind your 4Runner that you paid $34,000 for. I am told that it is the same frame as some of the other recalled models. The Toyota Corporation tried to comfort me by ensuring me that they logged my case will contact me via First Class mail if they ever do decide to stand behind their product and make good on my $18,000 pile of useless rust.

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  Nice car - 2007 Toyota Corolla
  By Bill R - June 18 - 4:50 am

  Bought the car used about a month ago with 26k. Nice car. I agree it could use a telescoping steering wheel. Its a bit of a reach if the seat is back. Otherwise, its a fine little car.

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  Nice upgrade from the Echo - 2006 Toyota Corolla
  By Bob L - June 17 - 11:06 pm

  Has a big car feel yet its classified as a compact. Feels solid and has reasonable acceleration. Ours is the CE SE version from Canada. This was an upgrade from our 2004 Echo, which gave us no trouble at all

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  Amazing! - 1997 Toyota Camry
  By pastordy - June 17 - 10:23 pm

  Just bought my 1997 Camry with 129k miles after doing a lot of research. The unsurpassed reliability of these vehicles speak for themselves. I bought from the original owner who only replaced it because he bought a new one. I love the extra power of the V6. Its got a lot of pep. Not sure about mileage yet, but guessing somewhere in the low 20s. All I know if Ive got a car with potentially another 150k or more to go. Cant beat that for what I paid. Thanks Toyota for making quality vehicles in a sea of mediocrity.