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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  Good solid car - 2005 Toyota Camry
  By Daniel - June 9 - 3:40 am

  So i bought my 2005 Camry SE v6 I see complaints about handling but noticed all complaints are on the cheapest model camrys LEs base 4cyl Mine handles like a champ (sway bars bigger rims/wider tires on the SE) 120,000 miles not a single issue other than my sunroof is touchy. Gas milage is unbelievable for a good size sedan 34 hwy I live in mohave county Az average temp in summer near 120, paint is still nearly perfect no fade. Trunk space would make al capone blush, I could hide 10 bodies in there. 225hp is just right, my altima SER was overboard and caused wheel spin 285hp, Plus tires were a yearly issue on the altima. Build quality... It aint no BMW but its better than average. Great car overall, not fancy but still classy.

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  Have 3 at home - 2001 Toyota Echo
  By Nicecars - June 9 - 2:00 am

  all three excellent, comfy, spiffy to drive, super economic and reliable.Get 39 MPG on auto and 42 with manuals, both with rather agrresive & high speed driving.

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  comfortable - 2003 Toyota Camry Solara
  By Doris - June 9 - 2:00 am

  I just love it. The seats are so comfortable. It is fun to drive

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  Great Value - 2003 Toyota Sienna
  By Neighbor - June 9 - 2:00 am

  We bought the LE Symphany Package Sienna after looking at the Honda Pilot, Honda Odessy, Pontiac Montana and GMC Envoy. The Honda products were going for about $500 over MSRP, the GMC cost well over $40,000. And the Pontiac dealer seemed sceptical of his own product, wanted us to look at the Aztek instead. For an-out-the-door price of $25,700 and 4.95% financing, we felt that we got a great deal. Its spacious, as sporty as a mini-van can be, and has great pep.

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  Could not find a better value - 2003 Toyota Avalon
  By happy customer - June 9 - 2:00 am

  I was looking for a comfortable and reliable car. I am used to large US made sedans. I test drove Honda, Lexus ES300, Volvo S60 and on our way back decided to stop by at a Toyota dealer. Avalon was not even in our list of cars to consider. We test drove one, fell in love with it and drove it home the next day. After a few thousand miles on it, I feel I could not have made a better decision. It is quiet, comfortable (and expecting it to be) reliable.

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  Great car. - 2001 Toyota Camry
  By kharris - June 9 - 2:00 am

  Has 16K miles. Has a rattle by the ashtray. Had the dealership look at it. Tech heard rattle but unsuccesful at repair. Now have a squeek in the passenger side seat. If passenger shifts weight you get a annoying squeek. Will take and let dealership repair both problems. Average about 32 miles a gallon. Drive 80 miles a day, all highway (65 to 70 mph). Car is quiet (except squeek and rattle). Had to replace speaker cover on passenger side door (think child may have broke, but not sure). Wish I had bought V-6, but wanted fuel economy.

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  03 4Runner - 2003 Toyota 4Runner
  By Alex Houghtling - June 9 - 2:00 am

  Great Car, Realiable, Off-Road Capiable, great for towing

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  I love this car! - 2002 Toyota Highlander
  By osperr - June 9 - 2:00 am

  This is my first SUV and Im enjoying it immensely. Its very fun to drive - great transitions and breaking. Also, it holds everything!

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  A Love/Hate Relationship - 2003 Toyota Corolla
  By atarsh - June 9 - 2:00 am

  I love the design of it, inside and out. I find that the engine is lively but sometimes it does its own thing when I want it to do another. I am also very uncomfortable with the handling, especially at highway speeds. The steering is not great and when the wind is high, the car is all over the road. I have had a lot of quality issues with it, unfortunately. I have had several parts fixed repeatedly, or replaced. I am somewhat dissappointed in this new iteration. I love the looks of it but I am not sure that the quality Toyota is known for is apparent in my car. I love it, however, regardless of its faults.

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  Best choice in class - 2005 Toyota Corolla
  By AJT - June 8 - 10:46 pm

  This is the best car in the class for performance compacts. Very good performance + great build + great resale value + good safety (with side airbags). Considered Nissan Sentra (reliability problems) and Honda Accord (price problems). Corolla S didnt have enough oomph for me, plus IMPOSSIBLE to find with ABS. XRS could use more oomph at low RPMs, but still plenty for day-to-day. This cars engine "boosts" at 7K RPM, but youll rarely have a chance to get up there. 30-32 MPG highway, youll downshift out of 6th to pass quickly though. Great handling comes with rougher ride. Youll get "jostled" in your seat going over rougher roads, but very stable in corners, especially on/off ramps.