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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  TOYOTA TODAY TOYO TA FOREVER !! - 2004 Toyota Camry
  By MLBTOYOTA CITY - July 22 - 10:00 am

  I PURSCHASED A NEW 1988 TOYOTA COROLLA IT NOW HAS 220,000 WITHOUT ANY MAJOR REPAIRS. I PURCHASHED A NEW 2004 CAMRY XLE MODEL ON 8/09/04. THE CAR HAS BEEN GREAT SO FAR, OF COURSE IT WAS FOR MY LOVELY WIFE WHO TRUELY DESERVES IT. SHE WAITED FOR 16 BIG YEARS FOR A NEW CAR. MY WALLET HOPES I CAN GET 16 MORE YEARS OF EXCELLENT SERVICE FROM THE CAMRY. I TRUELY RECOMMEND ANYONE WANTING A DEPENABLE CAR TO TEST DRIVE THE CAMRY OR BETTER YET RENT A CAMRY FOR A WEEK AND REALLY TEST IT OUT !!

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  Nice for the price - 2005 Toyota Corolla
  By BAE - July 22 - 10:00 am

  Very nice car for the price. Plenty of room inside. Handles nicely and good exceleration. Not getting the MPG as advertised. Overall good car to drive.

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  American Built Beauty - 2010 Toyota Corolla
  By Paul K - July 19 - 6:03 pm

  The 2010 Corolla XLE is a solid American-built car. The improvements over the previous generation are monumental; It is like driving an entry level Lexus for $20K, but with good fuel economy. Hugs the road. Not a single rattle, squeak, or clank to be heard. Roof is a bit too low for tall people. Sunroof, auto-climate control, and navigation are nice touches.

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  Electronic problems - 2008 Toyota Highlander
  By Oliver - July 19 - 2:00 pm

  Bought a Toyota for its reliability. My wife has been owning Toyotas for 20 years and they all seem reliable. I didnt really fell in love with Toyota but loved the 2008 Highlander when I first saw it on the parking lot, test drove it and bought it. That was the summer of 2007 and all has been fine till the car turned 8 months old. Now the radio doesnt change volume or doesnt turn on at all in 60% of the cases. When driving away from a stall or at the lights the traction control indicator light blinks and the car doesnt move for 5 to 10 seconds, embarrassing when the light turns green. And the dash on the passengers side tweaks very very loud.

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  Not as good as youd like to think - 2009 Toyota Corolla
  By CLF - July 19 - 8:06 am

  Im 48, and have driven many cars in my life. But after 5500 miles, I can say none that were this uncomfortable. And I like Toyotas! The tilt wheel wont go low enough, the arm rest is too far back (right), or just worthless (left), the steering wheel isnt open on the bottom so you cant hang your hand there. The car gets blown all over the road in crosswinds, and that with electric no feel steering makes you look like a drunk driver on a windy day. Get 34 mpg at steady 75 mph, 29 around town in mixed driving. Good seats, good stereo, excellent cruise. The car rolls a lot in turns, but rides very nicely. Great for short trips, wouldnt recommend for long trips.

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  150,000 miles and still strong - 1994 Toyota Camry
  By skday - July 19 - 2:00 am

  Even with the V6 this wagon isnt super strong, but otherwise I have nothing to complain about. My only repairs since purchase at 130,000 have been wear and tear items (brakes, timing belt, a/c). Just test-drove a new Outback wagon, and had a revelation when I got back into my car. It felt more solid and comfortable than the brand new Subaru at 9 years old! Why buy new?

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  So Far So Good - 1999 Toyota Camry Solara
  By Jeffry - July 19 - 2:00 am

  I spent over a year trying to replace a 1987 Audi 5000 Quattro for a reaonable cost and this is what I came up with. Most any other car I could afford had low frequency road noise rumbles which I cant stand. Im 40-something but single and work in entertainment, so style is important. The Solara is a not- a-family car with enough room for 3 hotties in the back seat and a good sound system. To be called a "fly ride" by 20-something starlets and still attractive to middle age executive types of both sexes is a neat hat trick. Looks like a Lexus at a fraction of the price. 140 mph speedometers on cars that will never go that fast are truly stupid.

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  Love It! - 2003 Toyota Highlander
  By J Kelley - July 18 - 9:00 pm

  I drove a Lexus RX300 previously (company car) but was unwilling to pay the Lexus price when it came time to buy. This car is built on the same platform. It rides and handles like a car, not a truck. The only thing missing when compared to the Lexus is the "luxury" look of the interior. I have only two minor complaints with the vehicle: 1. the lifters (fuel injectors) make noise which is not noticeable when driving/idling unless it is completely quiet in the car (no talking, music, etc.) It is not noticeable to most people but was not present til after break-in period; 2. the paint on bumper & hood chips easily from normal road dirt.

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  bullet proof - 1998 Toyota Land Cruiser
  By Joe M - July 17 - 6:16 pm

  We bought it new and have 148,000 miles on it. The engine is still silent and the transmission runs like new. Im not kidding. I have replaced some mechanical things due to wear but you have to expect this. Im only on my 3rd set of tires in 10 years. If youre looking for a large suv forget mercedes and bmw and ford and cadilac and lincoln. The build quality on this thing puts them all to shame.

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  Smooth power-train cheap interior - 2010 Toyota Camry
  By shan - July 17 - 2:46 am

  The power-train is smooth, with a very quiet and smooth 4 cyl, but tire noise is well heard on the slightest rough pavement. And what was Toyota thinking by putting velvet cloth for door arm rests that will get dirty and is not very washable--just plain stupid! The seat material is 70s looking and looks cheap, and the fuzzy head-liner has to go. And how much would it have cost to include an ipod and usb port as standard? The Sonata has them. The carpet is really thin and cheap feeling.