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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  Come a long way - 2005 Toyota Tacoma
  By Stephen Seiberft - June 22 - 7:43 am

  I think this is a good truck and a great start for improvements

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  Good Car, Expected Better - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By jnealy87 - June 21 - 8:36 am

  Got Car in Nov.2011 with 61K miles, Car needed New amp for JBL system , then at 67,051 miles needed Waterpump replacement than at 71,508 miles needed Alternator replacement now im at 73500 miles no issues and keeping the regular service shedule and the car is doing wonderful and up to date on all recalls I currently experience tranny issues only in the winter months when its cold outside if I dont let the car warm up before taking off i use only 93 octan fuel and gumout every 3000 miles replaces both engine air filter and cabin air filter every 9000 miles I think toyota could have done better with covering some of the parts but toyota does whats best for business, not for client tale

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  Cant beat a Toyota - 2000 Toyota Tacoma
  By Jazbone - June 19 - 6:26 pm

  This is a follow up to my original posting after I purchased my Tacoma 4WD. I havent had any major problems with this truck. The only problem was my aux trans shifter popped out of position when taking out of 4WD at 45 mph. It was an easy fix as the retainer clip had loosened out of its clip holder. It was put back in and I havent had any problems with it since. Gas mileage has been as high as 24.7 and I average 19.5-21 mpg traveling the I-5 corridor through the Cascade mt range of Northern California. The comfort is still a problem over aggressive expansion joints or the rutty freeways of the entire Bay Area region! This truck has been great to me and I will trade up for a new one soon!!

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  greta car - 2000 Toyota Camry
  By MT - June 19 - 10:00 am

  i had my camry for 2 years and I love this car. The comfort inside this car is incroyable and the engines smootheness will blow you. Even though I had to replace my brakes at 12k and the tires at 25k i still love this car.

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  best in class - 2002 Toyota Highlander
  By older&wiser - June 19 - 10:00 am

  drove both 4 & 6 cy., and chose the 4 for gas mileage. Its fine for majority of driving, but if you ever have to stop on an incline, and then start uphill again it may take you to Christmas to get to the top! I test drove Explorer, Pathfinder, CR-V, Santa Fe, Escape, and Jeep Liberty. Highlanders quality far better than any of those. I have bought nine new cars in my life, and this was the most unpleasant transaction Ive had. The dealership was the most impersonal, uncaring, arrogant salesmen Ive ever dealt with, especially AFTER the sale. Wouldnt return phone calls.

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  Prius Vs need MODDING! - 2013 Toyota Prius v
  By vpower - June 17 - 11:32 pm

  I bought my Prius V for its roominess and fuel economy. Then I found it lacked a lot in handling. Better than a Prius sedan but lacking. Luckily I found "Juiced Hybrid" in Redwood City, CA and the parts I needed to make it go better and handle. Ive installed: 1. an underfloor center brace 2. 17" ENKEI RPF1 wheels and will install: 1. front and rear sway bers 2. strut tower bar 3. front underbody stiffener bar 4. cold air intake system Ive installed some electronics mods: 1. Prius V specific LED fog lights 2. LED running lights (in the grille) 3. shark fin antenna (body color matched) 4. LED interior lights 5. hard-wired line for my Garmin GPS

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  Not as good as I thought it would be - 2009 Toyota Matrix
  By greenplant - June 17 - 2:03 am

  Gets great gas mileage (avg 33 mpg in mixed driving), comfortable, easy to get in and out, plenty of power in the base model AT, but fit and finish is horrible, rattles in several places, exterior paint chips all over the front (I say paint is bubbling, dealer says road debris), if thats the case, the design is poor, it looks good, but the paint will be destroyed by simple everyday driving. This has never occurred with other cars Ive owned and driven on the very same roads.

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  You dont need a spoiler with a 1.8 - 2010 Toyota Corolla
  By KB - June 15 - 12:46 pm

  I have driven this S Corolla for about a week and have owned 98 and 90 Corollas. The gas mileage is around 40 on the open road, so its going to do what a Corolla is supposed to do. The road noise level is acceptable and does not interfere with the radio. The interior has plenty of room, if you like to ride with your arm on the door it will be uncomfortable because it is farther away. If the 2.4 engine was standard instead of the 1.8 there would be less down shifting with cruise on when going up hills which is more frequent than it should be with the 1.8 engine. Electronic assisted steering seems to wander a bit, maybe a sensitivity issue or alignment? All in all I did buy it for the gas use.

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  I have no comments, Im happy - 2004 Toyota Matrix
  By rmirandayopo - June 15 - 10:00 am

  Good millage, roomy, good outside vision

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  My Rav - 2009 Toyota RAV4
  By Jody - June 14 - 10:30 pm

  Love the rav 4 it is quick and easy to maneuver. Leg room for the driver is short. I rock heads of the head rest due to the lack of leg room to the accelerator. like everything else just need more leg room.