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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  Best car I have ever owned - 2005 Toyota Prius
  By LMR - July 17 - 3:23 am

  Everything I wanted in/on a car isstandard on the Prius. I opted for the silent entry and the two extra side window curtain air bags and the floormats for a low $1,080 over the low priceof $19,995. LMRps Electric windows and doorlocks-cruise control-electric heater-power steering-powerbrakes-cannot leave head-lights on after exiting-super low coefficient of drag ALL standard equipment and you dont have to plug it in over night!!! Only thing I dont like is I forget to take my car key cuz I only need it to unlock the doors if it is in my pocket.

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  Having Fun - 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser
  By Sue - July 17 - 12:23 am

  I love the car and it turns heads. I use it for daily driving to work and so forth and find it very easy to handle and comfortable to drive. Everyone Ive shown it to loves the look, inside and out. I feel safe on the road. I cant wait for it to snow so I can play some more!! Cant say enough good things about this vehicle.

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  Great - 2006 Toyota RAV4
  By slk - July 16 - 11:43 am

  I love my RAV. It has great get up and go. I have had little problems on the recent snow and ice ( usually when I floor it on the ice ) The step kids friends think it is cool. No problems whatsoever. I reset the maintence light myself. The owners manual tells you how to do it. Backseat is a little crowded with a carseat in it.

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  What happened Toyota? - 2008 Toyota Camry
  By kueker87 - July 16 - 10:40 am

  I had a 93 Camry and put over 250,000 miles on it. Loved it... So I upgraded to the new Camry expecting the same sort of reliability and quality, which I still expect to get, but the car does have a weird shuddering problem around speeds of 40-55 mph, especially going up hills. I took this to my dealership (very friendly) and they told me that is just what happens when youre trying to push a car up a hill at 1200-1500 rpms at 40-55 mph, the engine has to "shake" a little to get up... The remedy is to drive in GEAR 4 when youre town driving - Drive in D on interstate. I havent had an issue with the shuddering since. Toyota should still try and locate the problem and issue a recall.

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  Great!!! - 2007 Toyota Sequoia
  By Owly52 - July 16 - 12:43 am

  I just had a BMW x5 and I just hated not having a third row seat and had 3 kids and had a lot of play dates! When my lease was up I could not wait to get a new car. I was looking at the Highlander and didnt like it as much as the Sequoia. I got just a couple of weeks ago and now I love to get out of the house! I love the second row captain chairs and removable center console. I think I should never get a new car again because I bought mine!

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  WALLERS TACOMA - 2004 Toyota Tacoma
  By WALLER04 - July 16 - 12:06 am

  I was considering a wide range of vehicles, was looking and researching and decided to go with the Tacoma because of the high ratings from consumers and editors. I am very pleased with my Tacoma almost 9000 miles on since July of 2004 and like it, v6 has plenty of power, handles well on and off road, and good service at the dealer when going there for oil changes, I am so glad I bought a Tacoma than a ford ranger, to me the quality of this truck is better.

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  I love this Truck - 2008 Toyota Tacoma
  By Dave in Florida - July 15 - 8:13 pm

  I just traded my 2007 Tundra, 5.7 in on this truck. I got the TRD Sport package and am very satisfied with this truck. Toyota definitely knows what it is doing with these trucks. I cant find a thing I am unhappy about.

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  2007 Tundra - 2007 Toyota Tundra
  By MarkV - July 15 - 6:33 pm

  It is a great truck. The 5.7L engine is incredible. Ride is very smooth and comfortable. Gas mileage is low, but that is the price you pay for a V8. Quality is high both inside and out. The only thing to say about the inside is the console is TOO big. Why not make the seats a little bigger instead. But everything is within reach and storage is massive.

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  Driver seat and gas/brake pedal - 2005 Toyota 4Runner
  By Jack Hicks - July 15 - 11:23 am

  I have had the vehicle only a short time and find it to be a much better vehicle than my old 98 Ford Explorer. Although the Explorers seats were more comfortable. I am 61" and find the driver seat to be short in the leg area and hard to adjust. I understand the 06s have power seats standard and telescoping steering wheel adjustments. Both features are very much needed. There is very limited space between the gas and break pedal and I find that with my boots on I have the tendency to hit both the gas and break at the same time. Other than that I am loving it.

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  2017 Sierra - 2017 Toyota Sienna
  By John Smardzewski - July 14 - 2:38 pm

  Acceleration is a bit sluggish compared to other minivans and cars. Gas mileage at this time is lower then expected but we still have under 1000 miles on it so it is not broken in yet. Winter driving in city condition is getting about 16.5 mpg