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:

• 

  Good Basic Truck - 2003 Toyota Tacoma
  By ToyotaTom - August 18 - 10:00 am

  I like it. However it is not for tall folks. I am 64" should have bought an exta cab.

• 

  Mr. Mom Got a NEW Ride.................. - 2004 Toyota Sienna
  By kksdad - August 18 - 10:00 am

  20 years ago, I used to stand around with "the guys" talking about BMWs, Zs, Vettes, and today, its MINIVANs! Whats wrong with this picture? NOTHING, if Im in my new Sienna!!! At the "high end" you cant go wrong with either this, Odyssey, Quest, or MPV; they all have MORE pluses than minuses, but Im happy with our choice. Good ride and performance, great safety features, and a decent price matched w/Toyota reliability, what more can a "soccer dad" ask for!

• 

  Rattles & Rough Transmission - 2004 Toyota Camry
  By Baltimore - August 18 - 10:00 am

  The dash rattles, quirky transmission and problematic sunroof mar an otherwise excellent car. 02 & 03 models had the same rattles (due to windshield installation issues) but it appears the 04 models are no better. Transmission stutters when shifting from 1st to 2nd at 3,000 rpm. Sunroof refuses to close more than half-way, then you have to push it by hand.

• 

  Great Commuter - 2009 Toyota Corolla
  By S Cook - August 18 - 3:40 am

  My wife traded in our 2008 Accord LX-P because of the sever wind/road noise. Only had the Accord less than eight months. Have had the Corolla for almost a month and she just loves it. It is quieter than the Accord and rides just as well or better. We put 17" wheels on it and it really looks sharp. The gas mileage is about 36 mpg on her daily commute of 85mi round trip, I like the comfortable seats and the power is more than enough to get you on the freeway. Cant say enough good things about the car. It was a great trade as far as we are concerned.

• 

  Good vehicle for a growing family - 2016 Toyota Highlander
  By M. C. - August 17 - 9:04 am

• 

  Not What I Expected - 2005 Toyota Matrix
  By Dissapointed - August 16 - 9:50 pm

  This vehicle replaced a 2005 Toyota Corolla, The Corolla was nearly a perfect vehicle. The Matrix isnt even close to the quality or integrity of the Corolla. The interior plastic is of very poor quality and appearance. The gas mileage as far, far less than the Corolla. Its hard to believe the Matrix is a Toyota. I am not at all pleased with the Matrix. This vehicle has caused me to substantially lower my opinion of Toyota.

• 

  Happy with my Camry - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By Brian - August 16 - 4:10 pm

  Im happy with my 07 Camry. Its very comfortable and a quiet ride with low levels of road and wind noise. I drive (not own) quality cars and I can attest to the fact this car rides as well as some cars costing considerably more. As my car is only a 4 cylinder version, performance is adequate to good. There are a few things that irritate me. When one floors the gas pedal, not a lot happens, which can prove to be a bit embarrassing in certain situations. Maybe its some electronic trickery to overcome the lack of traction control! The transmission leaves a lot to be desired. Driving in hilly and twisting roads is hard work maybe a sixth gear would solve this problem.

• 

  Poor Gas Milage - 2009 Toyota Prius
  By Russ Lefevre - August 16 - 2:46 pm

  I purchased a high end Prius with the all the features in 6/08. Started out getting 46 mpg. to 44mpg.Then 3 month later it went down to 30mpg to 34mpg. tops. Brought back to dealer they checked it out & said they could find anything wrong. My Nav unit reads Im getting around 36 mpg. But when you do the math after a fill up its getting 30 to 32 mpg.

• 

  CHEAP TO BUY, AND CHEAPLY BUILT TOO! - 2010 Toyota Corolla
  By retired744 - August 15 - 5:48 pm

  In April 2012, I bought a 2010 Corolla LE with 7018 miles, from a Honda dealer, for $13,685. I bought it because of the advertised great fuel milage, and for the 8 total air bags ( small car safety ). The car is a good vehicle for low speed local travel, but highway noise above 55mph is excessive! I simply would not buy a Corolla again because of the excessive road noise. This is obviously a cheap car, but the all plastic interior is disgustingly cheap. I suppose I got what I paid for, but I now do NOT plan to keep this car. Interestingly, someone else traded it in at the Honda dealership where I bought it. WHY ?? I am now planning to trade it also! I made a mistake buying a 2010 Corolla LE!

• 

  Good Celica - 2003 Toyota Celica
  By Zero - August 15 - 10:00 am

  great car all around needs one impovement which is better seats