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:

• 

  Solid build and fun to Drive - 2002 Toyota Tacoma
  By toadman - May 10 - 10:00 am

  After test driving several of the 4 door compact crew cabs, settled on the Toyota D-Cab. The V6 engine handles well and plenty of space in the rear seats. Has a very quite ride even at highway speeds.

• 

  Another Great Toyota - 2002 Toyota Highlander
  By WAGS - May 10 - 10:00 am

  Another great Toyota. A Lexus in blue jeans or a Camry on steroids. The interior layout is great with plenty of front and rear leg room as well as plenty of space side to side. The thing drives spectacularly smooth with good acceleration. A nice addition to our collection of Toyotas.

• 

  Review after 600 mi. - 2002 Toyota Highlander
  By Shaw - May 10 - 10:00 am

  9.5 overall review. Handles like a 4000 lb, fwd car should handle, very smooth and surefooted.

• 

  2002 CAMRY SE V6 Automatic - 2002 Toyota Camry
  By Sumeet - May 10 - 10:00 am

  okay first of all let me state that im a 20 year old hp hungry 0-60 timing blood thirsty performance oriented driver, and i drive a camry. i love it, i got a dark blue one and just recently tinted it out and i literally get 100 compliments a day, only i wish TRD would start making some high performance products such as an air filter or body kits of the sort, hopefully theyll do it soon.....

• 

  Running it till it quits - 2003 Toyota Tundra
  By russ - May 10 - 1:50 am

  Im a courier and have 458,000 thousand on this model. That mileage was not a mis-print! No tranny issues. Amsoil and frequent flushes. A few alternators and a starter is all the expense Ive had. Grease the wheel bearings

• 

  Most reliable & economical car ever - 1997 Toyota Corolla
  By Kieron - May 10 - 12:40 am

  I bought this car in March 2001 with 60,000 miles on it. I live in Ft. Lauderdale so the ice cold A/C is a boon. I work the summers on Cape Cod so every year this little beauty runs the 1550M distance each way without a problem. The mileage is just approaching 140,000. I replaced the clutch at 100,000 (usually a driver induced problem). I have had one leak in a steering hose and that is it. I replaced the belts as a precaution at 130,000 and replaced the front pads at 135,000, the garage told me the rears didnt need changing yet!!! Loaded down with all my gear for the summer it goes fast enough to put me at risk of big speeding tickets and returns 36+MPG. An absolutely world class car.

• 

  Toyota Highlander Hybrid - 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
  By roger - May 9 - 6:20 pm

  Fun to drive and great gas mileage for an SUV. Pick up and acceleration unmatched. Hybrids are the future. A must test drive.

• 

  Oh What A Feeling - 2006 Toyota Sienna
  By Lupo - May 9 - 3:16 pm

  This car is king of mini-vans. Unbeatable if you have kids. My wife and kids survived a front end collision with our 2004 Sienna and we had to have the same car. Very Safe and family friendly

• 

  Just what we were waiting for! - 2005 Toyota Camry Solara
  By Bryant McCrary - May 8 - 10:13 pm

  We love everything about our Solara convertible except that the visibility of cars to your right is terrible, even dangerous.

• 

  Comfy, not sporty - 2005 Toyota Camry Solara
  By Michael Betcher - May 8 - 5:56 pm

  Fast enough, good-handling enough for the occasional spirited flog, but this car makes me want to drive slowly and enjoy the open-air experience rather than rush to get somewhere. The cockpit is very calm with the top down, and even more so if the front windows are up. I believe the cabin is even more quiet than my wifes Maxima when the top is up, perhaps a function of the sound-deadening quality of the fabric top. Definitely a smooth and stylish cruiser, with all the practical amenities of an everyday driver. It makes a routine drive enjoyable, and what more can you ask?