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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  2009 Camry Hybrid - 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By Toyota Camry Hybrid - February 7 - 6:13 pm

  I bought this car in July, 2009 over a Prius because I wanted a larger car. I love the mileage. I recently drove to Canada along I5 keeping to the speed limit and I got 41 MPG and 550 miles on a tank of gas. This is much better than the published highway mileage of 34 MPG. I quickly noticed a rattle caused by the dash console. Also the center console extends much too far into the back seat, so only a child can sit comfortably in the center seat. Toyota has acknowledged the drivers floor mat problem that seems to be the cause of accelerator sticking and potentially causing serious accidents. Yet Toyota still hasnt recalled it for repairs.

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  Love Love Love! - 2001 Toyota RAV4
  By Love Love Love! - February 7 - 11:03 am

  I had this car for almost two years and I loved it. I drove back and forth from school and back about two or three times a month. It is the best on the highway with gas, dependability, barely any noise, smooth driving and so many more things to love about this car. This car was very reliable and saved so much money on gas. I went to the mechanics only for oil changes and that is it. This car is by far the best car I will ever have. It is pretty cute as well. SADLY, I had to give it up because we got into an accident but besides that it was the love of my life. If youre looking for a safe, good on gas, and dependable car this is the one for you.

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  The best Camry to date! - 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By J.Bossmin - February 7 - 9:43 am

  We all know about the Camry - we know how reliable it is, we know that it is the best overall value, etc. What happens when you add hybrid to the mix? You have perfection! Very safe, very quiet, adequate room for 4-5 people, adequate power, excellent amenities, fun to drive! A must buy for anyone who wants to be "eco-friendly" and not standout in a crowd.

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  Overpowered - 2007 Toyota RAV4
  By Eugene - February 7 - 9:26 am

  Its one the fastest SUVs you can buy, it can go 0-60 in under 7 seconds. It is also a great example why horsepower isnt everything. You hit the gas pedal on your RAV4. Front wheels start to spin. Traction control light comes up. The entire vehicle leans backwards. Finally it lunges ahead, shaking and ignoring the steering wheel input. Theres a lot of passing power, but the vehicle is not designed for high-speed turns and does not feel confident above 80-85 mph. If youre interested in RAV4 V6 because of its power, Sport edition 4WD might be a better choice. Theres no cure for high center of gravity, but stiffer suspension and proper drivetrain should help a bit.

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  Not a bad truck - 2008 Toyota Tundra
  By limey - February 6 - 10:13 pm

  The bed bounce can be very annoying. If you live in a area with concrete highways I would test drive it there to see how it handles. My kids find it fun now but I think that might change in a few years. The power from the 5.7 is amazing, you can pull away from almost everything on the road.

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  Problems in Winter - 2009 Toyota Prius
  By priusinChicago - February 6 - 5:10 pm

  Toyota Prius was pretty good, basically a 4 out of 5 in all respects except mileage, and then it was a 5 out of 5 until the very cold weather set in. Mileage went down from 46-50 mpg all the way to mid 30s mpg when it was in the 20s outside. And in the very cold (teens or near zero degrees Farhen) when you use the heater it went down to 27 to 30 mpg. This was a disappointment on all counts with winter and cold weather mileage.

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  My First 1,000 Miles in Venza - 2013 Toyota Venza
  By freesmart1 - February 6 - 3:39 pm

  I just went over 1,000.00 miles on my 2014 Venza XLE FWD V6 after owning the car for 20 days. The most impressive thing about this vehicle is the 3.5 L V6. It is powerful, relatively quiet and works seamlessly with the 6 speed automatic transmission. I am averaging just over 20 mpg in mostly city driving thus far. I have observed up to 30 mpg on the computer in short highway trips traveling at 60 and 70 mph. (Hopefully these figures will improve even further as the engine gets fully broken in). The only negative that I need to write about is the jarring ride on rough pavement. Toyota must do a better job tuning the suspension to complement the 20 in. wheels. I like the roomy cabin.

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  93 Camry - 1993 Toyota Camry
  By Victor - February 6 - 7:56 am

  Extremely reliable in all kinds of weather. My total expenditures for repairs in the 14 years I have owned it are less than $600. Hate to sell it but the wife wants a new car! New car payment will be around $600.

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  Most reliable car I ever had - 1997 Toyota Corolla
  By Aum - February 6 - 7:46 am

  This car was amazing. My dad bought it used in 98 with only 5k miles on it, then gave it to my mom later, and then passed it on to me. I just sold it last week because of insurance cost, but this car is worth every penny. Never gave any member of my family any trouble, only did oil changes, and changed the timing belt after 102,000 miles. Everything else is original other than the tires.

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  2007 Toyota Camry CE - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By jimmy - February 6 - 4:03 am

  This is a great car. I love the 4 cylinder engine. It gets great mileage, and runs great. I also have several American cars that are fairly new. This car is ten years ahead of those.