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:

• 

  XRS is a good compromise - 2005 Toyota Corolla
  By mattie_me - March 13 - 10:00 am

  One drive and I had to buy this thing - its nice enough to take your grandmother to church in - yet crazy enough to go go rip it up in the curves chasing that R32... It doesnt seem like its as fast as it really is and the guy in the WRX will give you a wierd look when he has a great deal of trouble passing you.... Its not going to beat an awd car from a light (for that youd want a neon) but it is one of the best all around packages of comfort, economy, safety, reliability, and sportiness that you will find for 20 grand.

• 

  YOU CANT BUY BETTER CAR UNDER $20.000 - 2005 Toyota Camry
  By pleiadian - March 13 - 10:00 am

  THE BEST CAR FOR MONEY..........

• 

  New SE - 2011 Toyota Sienna
  By toy owner - March 13 - 7:26 am

  Swapped out a Benz GL 450 for an 11 SE. Very nice vehicle although interior plastics could be of higher quality. drives very well - car like. the x-tra tuning in steering and suspension create a much more German feel than the floaty XLE/LTD. car looks great and wheel, skirts and tire pkg make the car. cant beat the room. hard to argue against as a family hauler. this is our first van. IMO all of the SUVs out there try so hard to provide the utility of a minivan, as most 3rd rows are useless. even with the GL, 3rd row was one of the best in the SUV class, but not much storage beyond the seat when up. not much snob appeal but in todays world who really cares. bye bye 13 MPG!

• 

  Best car I have ever owned - 2000 Toyota 4Runner
  By Ivan - March 12 - 7:53 am

  6 years old and 69K miles with no problems. Great car, powerful and reliable. very roomy. All I had to do was change the tires and replace a lightbulb. This car will run forever.

• 

  Awesome - 2004 Toyota Prius
  By HECTOR GARCES - March 12 - 5:13 am

  My wife and I really love our 2004 Prius. Toyota Prius is the best car I have ever owned, air conditioning runs on the battery which in turn is charged by driving and braking. Mileage has been consistent at 50 mpg. Plenty of room and storage. Excellent quality. Excellent handling. The quality of these cars is impressive by itself, but the clean emissions make it outstanding. Great car! Highly recommended. Nothing bad to say. Good performance, lots of torque going up hills

• 

  Love It! - 2004 Toyota Corolla
  By Tony Reed - March 11 - 10:36 pm

  I highly recommend this car! Looks cute, but still kinda conservative.... GREAT Toyota reliability... great drive.. great, sturdy feel.. and the gas mileage!!! WOW! I get gas.. like.. about once a month! I paid about $14,500 for it, I think.

• 

  Just OK - 2012 Toyota Prius c
  By fl_lead_foot - March 11 - 9:51 pm

  Just an OK car that happens to get great gas mileage. Door shut sounds tinny (and is tinny); stiff ride; overly firm seats; CHEAP interior materials; HARD interior plastics; under optioned (cruise control is a MAJOR FACTOR in highway gas mileage and the One doesnt have it!) Bought this for my courier business. Not sure if the mileage is worth the sacrifice. Id MUCH RATHER drive my 2013 Hyundai Elantra GT, not quite as good gas mileage but a WHOLE LOT MORE FUN to drive and ride in!

• 

  Blown away by a used car - 2003 Toyota 4Runner
  By graves2014 - March 11 - 7:51 pm

  I was a long time BMW owner. Ive had at least 4 over the past two decades, but I really liked my friends 4Runner. I couldnt afford a new one, so I looked for a used one. Not an easy task. There are just not that many for sale. I can see why. ...My 03 V8 4runner is faster than my BMW. Its still very sharp inside and out. The extra utility was such a bonus. 4 guys and our golf clubs..? No problem. Its a whole different dynamic. I love it. Even with a lot more miles than I was originally comfortable with purchasing, after taking to my mechanic. I have total confidence in it. Its just a quality SUV. I recommend one to anybody. Paddleboard next? why not

• 

  False mpg claims - 2011 Toyota Corolla
  By smithy6 - March 11 - 5:18 pm

  I have had this car for 6 months. The mpg/epa fuel economy stated on the original sticker is way too high. I am lucky to get 17 mpg city driving; not on hwys. much at this time. Two local dealers service reps. said they have heard similar, it is a national issue. The national call center is checking with them, but said not all of their cars will achieve even the minimum 21 mpg. One dealer reset the computer and tire pressure, still no difference. Both dealers said I have to drive it 5,000 mi. to see any better performance. That wasnt on the contract and I wont drive that much for the next 6 months. Plus the tank only holds max. 12 gallons.

• 

  Toyota GPS - Do not purchase - 2011 Toyota Sienna
  By paulb9 - March 11 - 2:58 pm

  The installed Toyota GPS, while fun to use with its large touch screen is DVD based, and the disk provided with my NEW Sienna was two years out of date... does not even have my street included (5 years old). AND... Toyota wants a ridiculous $250 for an updated disk! You can purchase a much better GPS, more features, and lifetime map updates for a little more than half that. Just stick it to the face of the Toyota display... Come on Toyota - get reasonable. A NEW car should at least have a current verions disk... and be provided with updates during warranty.