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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  My 2nd Corolla - 2009 Toyota Corolla
  By mred72 - January 27 - 10:07 am

  I still own my very first Toyota which is a 2002 Corolla LE which has 180,000 as of writing this review. Knowing its getting old and burning oil, I figured it was time to buy a back up. I came across a used XLE with only 28,000 miles on it. Since it has the 16" wheels, the highway ride is comparable to that of a Camry. Youd quickly be reminded you are not in a Camry once you need to pass another vehicle and thats when reality sets in. I would love to know how ANY of you get 35MPG or more as my car never got better than 32.5 and it is driven mostly highway. Toyota alleges 35, but I say no way as the average highway speed is 75MPH.

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  MY WIFES BEAST - 2003 Toyota Sequoia
  By RICK - January 27 - 10:00 am

  THE SEQUOIA IS AN AMAZING VEHICLE. MY WIFE LIKES IT SO MUCH THAT WE FIGHT OVER WHO IS GOING TO DRIVE IT. SHE LIKES THE EXCEPTIOAL PERFORMANCE ESPECIALLY QUICK ACCELERATION. SHE FELLS VERY SAFE DRIVING IN ANY KIND OF WEATHER WITH THE VEHICLE SKID CONTROL. SHE REFERS TO THE SEQUOIA AS "THE BEAST"

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  love my sequoia - 2003 Toyota Sequoia
  By dshane - January 27 - 10:00 am

  I LOVE MY SEQUOIA. IT IS VERY ROOMY AND RIDES GREAT. THE KIDS LOVE IT. A GREAT VACATION VEHICLE.

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  The Sequoia - 2003 Toyota Sequoia
  By M. Moe - January 27 - 10:00 am

  I bought this vehicle in Maine, but I live in NY. I drove it straight home in a snow storm. I really love this car.I drove a Toyota 4-runner for 13 years & loved it. That vehicle was just not wide inside though for a piece of sheet rock to fit in the back or for 3 people to sit in the back set comfortable. So when I saw the sequioa, I knew that was the car. I think its bigger than the land cruser inside & it has more leg room in the 3rd seat than any other 4WD vehicles with 3 seats. Im even getting better milage in this car than I was in that 13 year old 4-runner & the gas tank is about twice the size which is great on trips.

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  2003 - 2003 Toyota Sequoia
  By CE - January 27 - 10:00 am

  most comfortable car I have ever been in

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  I love my Sequoia - 2003 Toyota Sequoia
  By Brad11111 - January 27 - 10:00 am

  Love it as a full size, still fun to drive, gets lots of looks, love it

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  Superb! - 2003 Toyota Sequoia
  By Leon Kim - January 27 - 10:00 am

  I made an excellent choice

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  GREAT - 2003 Toyota Sequoia
  By JJJJ - January 27 - 10:00 am

  THIS TRUCK IS AWSOME!!! I WAS ANAVID GMC YUKON/SUBURBAN OWNER. GOODBYE GMC!!! HELLO TOYOTA!!!

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  Hot SUV - 2003 Toyota Land Cruiser
  By Lnad Guy - January 27 - 10:00 am

  MOST RELIABLE , STABLE SUV. RESALE IS BETTER THAN ALL THE REST. HAD OLDER MODEL WITH OVER 250,ook mis, try that on any other SUV. LANDCRUISER ARE WHAT YOU WILL SEE OFF ROAD IN OTHER COUNTRIES WITH THE EXCEPTION OF MAYBE LAND ROVER....

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  Three-week Owner - 2003 Toyota MR2 Spyder
  By midlife crazy - January 27 - 10:00 am

  It reminds me of an MG, but with Japanese enginering (i.e., reliability and performance). So far, I find mine peppy and fun to drive--a nice, nice toy.