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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  Great Little Car - 2004 Toyota Corolla
  By Evan - February 28 - 10:00 am

  We got our car back in March. We love it, Toyota sure struck it rich in designing this little car. I hope to see them put this kind of thinking into all of their cars

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  This Is A New Car? - 2004 Toyota Corolla
  By Phil Ory - February 28 - 10:00 am

  If you?re looking for a car that has antique rear drum brakes, and an equally old fashioned cassette tape player, then this is the car for you. I dont even know anyone thats touched a cassette tape for the last 5 years. Whats next Toyota, an eight track tape player, and drum brakes on the front? This is 2003, not 1983. Get with it Toyota?.join the rest of us here in the present. And what?s with the radio antenna? It looks like a small dorsal fin sticking up out of the roof?why couldn?t it be embedded in the rear glass? That way we wouldn?t have to remove it before going through the carwash.

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  Good Car - 2003 Toyota Corolla
  By angiepooh - February 28 - 10:00 am

  the exterior is made well, I was hit from behind while I was stoped. The person was going about 15 mile per hour and I only got the smallest ding in my car, you can hardly see it.

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  2003 Camery XLE - 2003 Toyota Camry
  By fishy - February 28 - 10:00 am

  Fit and finish exellent. Comfortable and quiet. Fuel economy very very good.

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  my experience using this car for 11/2 y - 2003 Toyota Camry
  By widhas - February 28 - 10:00 am

  a truly reliable , safe and economical car

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  Like the car but not the company - 2003 Toyota Camry
  By Not Happy - February 28 - 10:00 am

  With less than 10,000 miles on the engine, it blew. Documentation that oil was changed was provided, yet they did not honor the warranty. In addition to being out the money for a new engine, I had to pay for a rental car for 3 months. Their explanation for not covering the engine under the warranty was that they couldnt be sure it was their fault. The product shouldnt be the only thing that plays into the purchase of a car. If you buy a Toyota, I hope you have better luck with the company than I have had.

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  Whats Not to Love? - 2004 Toyota Sienna
  By KT - February 28 - 10:00 am

  Turning radius is great. Seat configurations are astounding! Back split hide-away seat is so much easier to move than the Honda. I dont have one complaint--its a big van that drives like a sedan!

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  INITIAL REVIEW - 2009 Toyota Tacoma
  By teejay1 - February 28 - 1:33 am

  i have had the vehicle for about a month now. i bought it used from carmax with 20k miles on it one owner. so far i really like the truck. it rides way better than my 2004 Dakota and the safety features are a real plus. i have dogs so i really like the back up camera feature. i think the brakes are very responsive and the seats feel really nice on a long trip!! the 4.0 V-6 is strong and will set you back in your seat if you punch it. the controls are all laid out well and i love the steering wheel radio controls. what is to be seen is the reliability??? i like to keep my vehicles for well over 200k so i will get back@ say 50k!!

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  2001 Prius - 2001 Toyota Prius
  By Kent - February 27 - 11:46 pm

  This model of car has some major issues which will become increasingly apparent as it ages. Advice: dont give a review on this car until you have owned it for more than six months. Toyota does not stand behind the warranties on this model of car and tries to weasel out of repairs--this is from a 30+ year Toyota owner. It should have been recalled for defective rack and pinion steering (same as in the later models), inverter and computer problems and accelerator pedal assembly--all very expensive problems to repair. After having owned this car for one year, with two months spent in the repair shop, negotiating with Toyota, I cwill not purchase another Toyota car. Advice: stay away!

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  awesome - 2007 Toyota RAV4
  By scott - February 27 - 11:23 pm

  awesome power ride and dependability awesome vehicle awesome vehicle so comfortable and easy to drive with awesome power and response just an awesome vehicle