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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  Good Little Ride - 2002 Toyota 4Runner
  By OrbDog - June 25 - 10:00 am

  Ive had my first 4Runner for two weeks now. My wife and I really like it. We had a loaded Montero SR, so we miss the amenities, but the 4Runner is more fun to drive. Some say it feels like a truck, I say its responsive and it allows you to feel the road. Not mushy road fell like the other SUVs out there. The Sport Package makes it look original, and tougher than anything else on the market right now. The smaller engine it better than I thought it would be, but bigger would still be better. Great braking!

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  Tha Rolla Rules (if you are poor) - 1999 Toyota Corolla
  By Jeremy Manginell - June 25 - 10:00 am

  Its really nothing special, but for overall value and reliability, there is not a better car. Its not too fun to drive, its small, its slow, but it will last forever and the mpg is excellent. If you have a small family or are a young professional, it is a great car to get started with.

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  good but needs more space - 2000 Toyota Sienna
  By cocf - June 25 - 10:00 am

  this is my first van and I like the ability to carry all of the people but the space for luggage is limited. If I didnt have the luggage carrier on top it would be impossible to take the family of 5 on a week vacation!

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  tight quarters - 2001 Toyota 4Runner
  By rhc - June 25 - 10:00 am

  Inside the cab is very limited in space. I feel cramped inside while driving. Needs more headroom particually for one that has a sunroof. Ride is very smooth.

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  Disappointment - 1999 Toyota Camry
  By J. D. Walters - June 25 - 10:00 am

  I was expecting Toyota quality, but what I got was a lemmon. The brakes vibrate violently when I stop quickly, and all four struts make a rattling noise (I was told this is a manufacturers defect). I have also had numerous other small problems as well. Knowing what I know now, I would not have purchased this car. It is smooth and quiet on the interstate though.

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  First Toyota...wont be last. - 2003 Toyota Corolla
  By RSS - June 25 - 10:00 am

  Overall, THE nicest car I have ever owned. It looks and feels like a Lexus and drives as well as my fathers 2000 Avalon. I would even go so far as to say that it is as quiet, refined and as outstanding to drive as a Cadillac! Its still in Toyotas bizarre "do not exceed 55 mph for the first 1000 miles" break-in period, so I cant really say much about its performance beyond the fact that it certainly seems willing enough...but my 5-speed Ford ZX2 will suck the headlights out of it. On the other hand, this Toyota will certainly hold its value better! Its a surprisingly large car to boot, and one doesnt feel the least bit penalized for not buying a Camry.

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  Nice looking; dissapointing performance - 2010 Toyota Camry
  By waltparsons - June 24 - 11:30 am

  The car is nice but I am not happy with the drive-by-wire and electronic transmission. The shifting feels erratic and makes the driving experience frustrating at slower shifting speeds. The dealership acknowledge the issue but says there is no "fix". For a Toyota, Im disappointed and a bit surprised that this would be considered acceptable for release to the consumer. I hope they rectify this soon.

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  Comfortably Reliable - 2003 Toyota Camry
  By ray44512 - June 23 - 6:10 pm

  I inherited this car a few months back, literally owned by a little old man. Four cylinder is sluggish from the start, but comes alive once it is rolling. Transmission seems well suited to make the most of 2.4 liters. Body style and interior are plain but functional. Actually, the body style grew on me.

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  Nice performance and room - 2006 Toyota Tacoma
  By reed - June 23 - 2:16 am

  I had to replace my Audi with a truck for work purposes. I was expecting to be disappointed but this truck has exceeded my expectations. It has decent horsepower and torque. Handles well in snow (with four sand bags and studs), stereo sounds good, Sport package has nice options. Not the most comfortable ride but the truck can carry a decent load.

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  Loving it!! - 2004 Toyota Sequoia
  By momof2 - June 22 - 2:30 pm

  I love my Sequoia! It is great for the kids. It is everything I thought it would be and more. It is a comfortable ride and easy to handle. It has such a sophisticated look!