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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  Excellent Ride, Disappointing Reliability - 2005 Toyota Sequoia
  By Mark - January 1 - 6:31 pm

  Purchased new. It has a comfortable interior and smooth, quiet ride-especially given its size. I have had several expensive (several hundred dollar each) repairs including: replace door actuator (automatic lock failure), replace passenger side mirror (motor failure), disable driver side mirror retractor motor (stuck), replace overhead electric console (temp/fuel mpg/DTE indicator - broken button), replace back hatch latch (broken). Am aware of others with other Toyota vehicles with some of the same problems. These repairs have soured me on Toyota reliability but I have kept it so far because it is a comfortable ride.

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  2004 Toyota Prius - 2004 Toyota Prius
  By four door std hatchb - January 1 - 6:03 pm

  Great ride, great mileage, great handling. Slightly cramped space for me in passenger seat. Poor visibility to the rear for driver. Plan to buy an 07 for myself and give the 04 to my fiance.

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  Great Looking Car - 2001 Toyota MR2 Spyder
  By Patrick - January 1 - 4:22 pm

  Excellent weekend car, fun to drive, low maintenance cost, etc. , but dont take it on a long trip. You will pay with a sore bottom.

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  Amazing car -- lots to like! - 2010 Toyota Prius
  By jlbostrom - January 1 - 4:20 am

  We traded a cash for clunkers car and looked hard at the Insight, Fit, and the Prius. We picked the Prius and are really glad we did. The car is an amazing package -- great fuel economy, very good comfort, and solid engineering and design. After 2+ months we like the car more and more. This is a very solid car made for errands and for touring!

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  Why buy a Land Cruiser? - 2003 Toyota Sequoia
  By Mario Meas - January 1 - 2:00 am

  This car is huge. But once you get in it and start driving it around, you realize that youre driving a sedan, except for the fact that youre above everyone else. The quietness and smooth ride of this SUV is nothing short of amazing. Toyota specd the Sequoias 0-60 at 9.8 seconds. But I sweart it did it in 7 seconds.

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  Is RAV4 really made by Toyota? - 2001 Toyota RAV4
  By everliv - January 1 - 2:00 am

  Rattle, Squeak, Rattle, Creak... That pretty much sums up my experience with my RAV4...not to mention the "Check Engine Light" syndrome... I have only owned Hondas and this was my first Toyota...and I have to admit, this is the worst car I have ever owned. Dont buy this car.

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  Rating offset - 2003 Toyota Tundra
  By gmaster - January 1 - 2:00 am

  Looks like the Tundra needed some help to off-set the obvious biased, false ratings ftom the disatified American Brand owners. Notice I send American Brand, but the truck is probably not american made. Where is the tundra made? INDIANA!

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  Disappointed. First and last Toyota. :( - 2001 Toyota Tacoma
  By 909george - January 1 - 2:00 am

  Purchased at 18 sold at 19 years old. Toyota needs to learn a lot from these trucks. Underpowered gas hog comes to mind. Dash rattles and poor dealer service are the norm. Truck is overpriced and overated. Constant small "non toyota-like" problems occur. Water gets in lamps and windows. Fix your mistakes Toyota.

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  Awesome ute - 2003 Toyota 4Runner
  By uteboy - January 1 - 2:00 am

  This was the ultimate truck for me. Although I wanted a 3rd seat, I didnt need it. I also wanted a sports sedan. This is a SUV that looks good and drives like a car...a fast car (with the V8).

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  wind noise - 2003 Toyota Tacoma
  By first toyota - January 1 - 2:00 am

  since I drove off the lot my truck had a major wind noise coming from the drivers a piller where the door and the windshield meet. the dealer still cant find a cause so I guess Ill have to fix it my self!