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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  Couldnt be happier - 2003 Toyota Tacoma
  By bill b - January 16 - 10:00 am

  Paid $15.4 K. AC Chrome SR5 pkg. 5 speed manual. 4 cylinder totally fine for me, even with a load. I drive very conservatively, and get an honest 32 mpg. I figure it every tank. Expect it may drop some during winter months. Solid feel. Good handling for a truck. Love the size, nice low bed. I wouldnt own a 4x4, at least for my current needs.

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  Excellent vehicle...beats them all. - 2004 Toyota Sienna
  By car buyer - January 16 - 10:00 am

  For a van, this is the best vehicle out there. There is no van that comes close. The Limited is costly but considering what you get, it is a fair value. Other models (CE, LE, and XLE) easily match up against the competitors. I love Honda, but the Honda Ody. has been de-throned!

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  Excellent minivan - 2004 Toyota Sienna
  By loganberry - January 16 - 10:00 am

  We waited to see the 2004 Sienna Minivan, before purchasing a new minivan, since we have been quite pleased with other Toyotas we have owned. We were very pleased that the new 2004 would have seats that would fold into the floor, as well as added length and width. After our test drive, we felt it quieter and more comfortable then the Honda Odyssey. The Sienna LE had more available features then the Honda LX. A great van.

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  Very Comfortable - 2009 Toyota Camry
  By Brian - January 16 - 8:03 am

  I traded in a 1998 Chevy Lumina for the 2009 Camry LE. So far, the car has met my expectations in every area and exceeded them in a few. The cabin is very comfortable and spacious. I drove the 09 Malibu and while I like it, the cabin felt "closed in" and has a major blind spot toward the back of the rear passenger window - no such issue in the Camry. Car offers plenty of pep when called for and is quiet. My neighbor though I had purchased a hybrid the first time he heard me drive in. While I agree with a professional review that this car is about as exciting as a ham and cheese on white, Ive got enough excitement in my life and love the soothing nature this car provides.

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  Great SUV - top of the class - 2001 Toyota Sequoia
  By seth w - January 16 - 7:16 am

  I love this SUV, in 2001 it was ahead of its time. The ride is so smooth and the comfort is not matched by any! The leather seats are comfortable and I love the DVD system. Im a sucker for accessories and this one is loaded out! Only problem I have had from me or the previous owner is the back latch and window motor had to be replaced. Very satisfied!

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  True Love - 2003 Toyota Celica
  By Jen - January 16 - 5:33 am

  I bought this beautiful Celica a year and a half ago and its been nothing short of amazing. The way it grabs the road, the power of LIFT (GT-S only) and no hesitation at speeds way above 100 is mind blowing. I love the looks I get from people who often confuse it with Lamborghinis and Ferraris, only to be further shocked that its by Toyota. An amazing car, especially in Solar Yellow.

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  Number one Toyota-san - 2005 Toyota Corolla
  By Toyota-san - January 16 - 12:56 am

  This is an excellent, solidly made small car. Careful Canadian assembly along with Japanese engineering combine to make this a world class ride. The VVT-i engine pulls smartly from a stop and hums along as only a Japanese 4 cylinder can do. The Toyoglide transmission shifts with aplomb if a tad slow on the downshift. The radio is fine and the Climate control reflects good design concepts. Engine serviceability is top notch. No timing belt here folks, a good on chain opens and closes the valves. Many electrical components are Denso sourced which is a good thing.

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  Driving Mind Mixer - 2010 Toyota Prius
  By FL2MI - January 15 - 11:26 pm

  This is our first hybrid. Ive been driving a Nissan Maxima for the past 10 years, so this is a BIG MIND change. Now I have to really focus on if I need to put my foot on the brake to start the car, watch the gauges to make sure Im getting optimal performance (MPGs), pushing a button to park, making sure I dont pull too far forward onto a cement parking stop...its like learning a new language. And even with all these oddities, I am truly enjoying the Prius. Ill know more as I drive more, only has 250 miles so far. I love the fact that I can sit parked in the car in the hot sun and run the A/C without having the gas engine on! I love getting 48+ mpgs! I love the quietness of the car!

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  05 Toyota Prius - 2005 Toyota Prius
  By Drazzst - January 15 - 3:50 pm

  2005 Toyota Prius, "Pkg 9" Mile: 22700 Purch: 12/31/04 Loc: New Hampshire This is probably one of the best cars that I have purchased. Toyota quality is very prevalent in this model. Vehicle handles very well in most weather, including snow and ice. Mileage is ~40mpg Nov-Mar, ~50mpg Apr-Oct. Learning to drive this vehicle does take some time, as working the accelerator is key to activating the gas/electric motors. Visibility out of the windows is decent. The main plus for this vehicle is the money saved on maintenance. Vehicle is serviced approx. every 5k miles.

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  So much fun - 2005 Toyota Prius
  By panda4 - January 15 - 2:33 pm

  This solidly built car is so much fun to drive. An incredibly tight turning radius with a smooth quiet ride (this coming from someone who has never had anything other than 4 cyl cars.) Plenty of room inside for 4 adults on a long trip. Ive been getting 47mpg in town and 50+ on the highway. Another nice plus is there is no drag on the engine when running the A/C, I guess its pulled directly off the battery.