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:

• 

  Best car Ive ever owned! - 2007 Toyota Prius
  By Nancy Green - June 15 - 12:00 pm

  My 07 Prius is getting well over 50 miles/gal, and I chuckle as I drive past the gas station! It is without a doubt the best car purchase I ever made. I like having the key fob rather than a conventional key to open & start the car, and appreciate the feature that will not permit you to lock the key inside!

• 

  New age for an old man - 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
  By koy - June 15 - 2:06 am

  I am a 78 year old male who loves autos, trucks and suvs. Our hylander hybrid is a great vehicle.

• 

  Not for everyone, but for the few - 2011 Toyota 4Runner
  By meagle1 - June 15 - 12:16 am

  This car is not for everyone, but if you live in a rugged area with a lot of snow and ice in the winter this is the perfect vehichle for you. I have had to "pull out" the popular cross-over "cars" with my 4runner when it snows more than 1 foot. When I drive to the city it is comfortable and has all of the amenities of my last Lexus. I would buy this luxury tough vehicle again.

• 

  What a nice ride! - 2009 Toyota Camry
  By Dale - June 14 - 2:43 pm

  I purchased this Camry to help ease my pocketbook with the rising gas prices. It has an incredibly comfortable ride! Even compared to my 2005 Cadillac Deville. You feel the quality workmanship that went into the making of this car. Go buy one!

• 

  Not your average SUV - 2008 Toyota FJ Cruiser
  By DIKKINS - June 14 - 1:46 pm

  The FJ cruiser is like buying a prom dress, It has a specific purpose and no other vehicle does it as well. I have driven this vehicle 6000 miles in 3 months, 2/3 on the highway and 1/3 off road. It has no real equal off road, and is very good on the road. I have no qualms about about driving just about anywhere. It goes through heavy snow, fields, mud and on superhighways with ease. I purchase a more aggressive tire than the standard ones it came with and would advise this if youre going off road or in snow. This vehicle is solid, and seems more like a truck than the average SUV. The joy of this vehicle is that it will take you easily where others will not go and do it with ease.

• 

  Nice ride - 2008 Toyota Prius
  By koukla - June 14 - 11:53 am

  Its a very smooth ride. It was much better then I had anticipated when buying the Prius. Excellent mileage! The rear view visibility isnt the greatest but it really isnt terrible either.

• 

  Excellent fuel economy, almost reliable - 2005 Toyota Corolla
  By Yongwon - June 14 - 8:43 am

  Everything runs great after 34000 miles. Smoothest ride in its class (which isnt saying much), although somewhat sluggish in handling and noisy on the highway. Driving position is very awkward if you are tall, although my 52" wife loves it. I wish we had the Japanese model in the US. (It has automatic climate control, vehicle stability and ABS standard, etc) Toyota reliability and quality is somewhat overrated. Mine came with dislodged window rubber from the factory. ECU replaced because engine didnt always start due to known factory defect on early 05 production. However, everything else is in excellent shape after 3 years of use, with no sign of wear.

• 

  Overall Very Good Experiance - 2007 Toyota RAV4
  By Nyer - June 14 - 2:23 am

  Almost up to 36,0000 miles. I took it to the dealer since I had the thunking in the steering column. They are fixing under warranty. They noticed the water pump was leaking and fixing under warranty as well. The front brakes needed replacement too. The tires are showing their wear and need to be replaced, these were the Geolander OEM. So all that being said, I would buy again. Love the handling and I feel safe in it.

• 

  loved it - 2009 Toyota Camry
  By amarji - June 13 - 8:09 pm

  so i bought this car back in 2009 with 6k miles on it !! now it has 47k miles on it and it still runes like new !! i never had one single problem with this car, all i did was changing the oil every 5000 miles ( i know it should be 3000 miles) and i changed the tires at around 35K !!! very reliable car, fun to drive, smooth steering, great response from the gas pedal and the brakes. the ONLY problem might be the blind spots caused by the big side airbag panels !!

• 

  Nothing but problems! - 2005 Toyota Sequoia
  By disappointed - June 13 - 6:40 pm

  Loved the truck until 5000 miles. Started sputtering and jerking under light acceleration while goig up hills. Dealer first said it was a computer problem. After three visits to the shop it became a transmission problem. The dealer replaced the transmission but the problem is no better. After two more days in the shop the dealer now says it is a "trait of the vehicle." Seems odd to me that two test drivers thought the problem was severe enought to warrant spending $3700 for a new transmission but now it is a vehicle trait! Truck is very uncomfortable on the interstate because every time you go up a slight incline or an uphill on ramp the car jerks and sputters. Nice trait Toyota!