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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  1999 Toyota RAV4 AWD - 1999 Toyota RAV4
  By Washjunior - March 5 - 1:03 pm

  Purchased this car from a private person. Ive had the car for almost 1 year and put 14k on it. Its a great car. Fantastic in the snow...the best car Ive ever had in bad conditions (and I live in the western NY snow belt). I literally have done nothing other than oil changes. Storage capacity is really nice. Overall, GREAT CAR that I would recommend highly to anyone!

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  You cant lose with this truck - 2006 Toyota Tacoma
  By me - March 5 - 5:23 am

  This truck has everything you would need in a vehicle. Smooth ride, solid quality, passenger room and great looks. The tow package is outstanding!!!

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  I miss it - 1998 Toyota 4Runner
  By joetyler69 - March 5 - 12:57 am

  I had my 4runner for a little over a year, and i just recently lost it to a telephone pole... this car was great to me. it was powerful, fun and east to drive. i didnt have one complaint. it even saved my life in the wreck. i put a new meaning to wrapping a car around a telephone pole. the highway patrol declared me dead as soon as they arrived cause they didnt believe anyone could have survived anything like that. but the 4runner saved me. i was trapped and had to wait to be cut out of the car, but i will always be grateful i wrecked in that car. cause nothing else could have protected me like it did

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  Fantastic Truck - 2007 Toyota Tacoma
  By Brent - March 4 - 1:40 pm

  You would be amazed that this vehicle is a truck and not a car, it drives that well. Excellent handling and more than enough power for the road. I havent owned a Toyota in years but Im elated to be back. Great design, fabulous handling as well as great fuel mileage make this truck a must have. Dont be misled by believing that a small size truck will give you better fuel mileage and more economy, this Tacoma Pre-Runner will dish out big truck features and save you money at the pump as well!! Remarkable that they can pull it all off with such a nice sized vehicle that doesnt leave you feeling like you stepped out of a shoe box instead of a roomy substantial truck! Fantastic!

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  Drive it for yourself and see - 2008 Toyota Highlander
  By Happy Toyota Owner - March 4 - 11:20 am

  It took a while for us to drive a bunch of the SUVs closely resembling the Highlander. Before test driving several vehicles I had already sold myself on an Acadia. After the test drive the obvious winners were the 2009 Pilot and Toyota Highlander. We had looked at the Highlander a couple of years back but it was smaller and the dash was just plain ugly. The new redesign and the plush drive just did us both in. The Pilot would have offered a little more room but the dash looks like its made out of cheap plastic, and unless you get the all black interior the two tone effect was not very appealing to us. We have a family of 4 so we can leave the third row down and use when needed.

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  I love our 4 Runner - 1999 Toyota 4Runner
  By mchagberg - March 4 - 10:00 am

  We just bought ours

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  Great truck! - 2002 Toyota Tundra
  By mustafa - March 4 - 10:00 am

  This truck is great! The only regret I have about buying it, is that I chose the V6 model (I have to go to school, SDSU, which is 35 miles away, each way). I would strongly suggest the consumer to buy the V8 iforce model. Anyways, this truck is awesome, I hope to trade it in for the 2004 model, which is improved greatly. The back seats are enlarged.

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  Just your average Corolla - 2003 Toyota Corolla
  By Toyota Man - March 4 - 10:00 am

  The car blows around on the highway when there is wind. You have to keep 2 hands on the wheel. I have the sunroof on my LE and when you pull back the cover it rattles. Good gas milage, good pick up for a Corolla.

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  Just your average Corolla - 2003 Toyota Corolla
  By toyota man - March 4 - 10:00 am

  The car blows around on the highway when there is wind. You have to keep 2 hands on the wheel. I have the sunroof on my LE and when you pull back the cover it rattles. Good gas milage, good pick up for a Corolla.

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  Wanna love it but I dont.... - 2003 Toyota Corolla
  By corolladude - March 4 - 10:00 am

  Problems galore since I got it a year ago...suspension brackets replaced, interior panels replaced due to noises. Currently, front dash buzzes and rattles, instrumentation panel buzzes, car lurches forward when at a stoplight, weird horn like noise when reversing, rust spot forming on roof! Ridiculous for this to happen to a toyota! I wanna sell it already...