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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  toyota tundra - 2005 Toyota Tundra
  By Lee Hollingsworth - April 17 - 3:50 pm

  The Tundra has plenty of room. Gas mileage is pretty good too. It is stylish. I love my toyota......

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  Basics - 2016 Toyota RAV4
  By Barry toms - April 17 - 2:53 pm

  MPG, power, options.

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  cute little commuter car - 2016 Toyota Corolla
  By CMI - April 17 - 2:32 pm

  I have been driving this for 2 weeks while my Acura is in the collision shop. Great first car for a teen or a great commuter car. For a non-leather interior, the cloth seats are nice. Power windows and mirrors but not power seats. I am 54" and have the seat pulled all the way up. Not sure how shorter drivers would do. It has that CVT transmission that you will either love or hate. Its a little hard to get used to. Prefer more acceleration. Great on gas. AWFUL stereo.

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  Celica - 1997 Toyota Celica
  By maite daguerre - April 17 - 2:13 pm

  Great car

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  What a blast!!! - 2001 Toyota MR2 Spyder
  By bmerton - April 17 - 10:00 am

  This car has to be one of the most "fun to drive" cars EVER!!! My Spyder gets heads turning everywhere I go. Its not uncommon for me to come out of a building to have people milling about my car, checking it out...wondering what it is (Ive debadged it, except for the "Spyder" logo. :) Most common guess: Porsche.

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  Good - 2003 Toyota Celica
  By EdLover - April 17 - 10:00 am

  Car is very very very very very very very very ver very very very very awesome

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  GAS GUZZLER - 1997 Toyota RAV4
  By THOROUGHBRED - April 17 - 10:00 am

  THIS THING IS A LITTLE PORKER..I AM LOOKING FOR A HONDA CRV FOR BETTER MILEAGE.DOES ANYBODY HAVE ANY SUGGESTION FOR IMPROVING FROM 15-17 MILES PER GA.1997/4DOOR AWD?DOES TIRE SIZE MATTER?

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  Just try to pass me! - 1999 Toyota Camry Solara
  By mi_trang_thui - April 17 - 10:00 am

  Wow! Ive finally found a car that I feel comfortable and relaxed in! I do more driving than the average person and most of it is in the city. Ive had Mazdas, VWs, Chryslers and several others. I very much appreciate the stability and comfort of my SLE. The leather is nice and the stereo is fun to crank. So far no mechanical problems and I have a feeling it will stay that way for some time.

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  Excellent choice - 1996 Toyota Camry
  By wonderman - April 17 - 10:00 am

  My 1996 camry has definitely been the best car I have ever bought. Even though the 4 cyl. could use more power, everything else is perfect. I have 96,000 miles on my camry and it still runs like the day I bought it. No major mechanical problems, just normal wear and tear. PERFECT CAR!!!!!

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  I GOT THE LEMON - 2001 Toyota Sequoia
  By DCOOP - April 17 - 10:00 am

  First of all to be fair to Toyota, I have brought 4 Toyota vechicles, and all had been perfect, but the Sequoia, it has been a nightmare. 1st- problem 2sets of brakes and rotors. 2nd- Traveling in Florida on vacation and transmission made a clunk sound several times, then all of the sudden the truck dies out on the freeway the transmission needs replacing 20kmile. 3rd- At 30kmiles engine light comes on, need a catalytic converter.