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:

• 

  Love my Toyota - 2004 Toyota RAV4
  By Be - June 10 - 2:00 am

  Great compact SUV - Handles great in snow.

• 

  Great value, super car for commuting! - 2004 Toyota RAV4
  By dmbourgeois - June 10 - 2:00 am

  EXCELLENT CAR!! This is the BEST by far I have ever owned. I drive 110 miles RT every day to my job, and I wanted something that was comfortable, good on gas and reliable. The Toyota RAV4 has proved to be all of this and more....it was very reasonably priced. The RAV4 drives like a 6 cylinder, is comfortable and roomy and has a great stereo/CD/tape deck. Excellent handling in the winter weather and rain. I would recommend this car to anyone, but especially to those who commute any distance. I get the room and comfort of an SUV with the gas mileage of a much smaller car.

• 

  tundra double cab limited - 2004 Toyota Tundra
  By rocklan - June 10 - 2:00 am

  Awesome truck. Drives like a sports car. Needs bigger armrest and more comfy front seats. Other than that this truck is top notch. Dont skimp with the SR5 package, the Limited package transforms the vehicle from a Toyota to a Lexus

• 

  Excellent Truck - 2004 Toyota Tundra
  By Whale - June 10 - 2:00 am

  Have about 6K on it and everything is great. Build quality is exceptional and performance is adequate. Even the wife will drive this one!

• 

  This truck simply rocks - 2004 Toyota 4Runner
  By Akapl - June 10 - 2:00 am

  I really love this truck. The Toyota build quality is simply second to none, it is a solid feeling SUV that (to me) feels and drives so much better than any of the competitors. Yah I pd more for a Toy than I would for a Blazer or an Explorer but I feel I got so much more in quality and features like the high tech Vehicle Skid COntrol (VSC) a tchnology that I didnt see in any of the other SUVs in this class/price range. Why on earth would you buy any of those others.

• 

  More Than Happy - 2004 Toyota 4Runner
  By H Ell - June 10 - 2:00 am

  I am very pleased with my decision to purchase this vehicle. From the moment I closed the door for the test drive - I caould tell that it was more solid than the other mid-size SUVs I had diven. The sporty look gives some style other than many of the boxes out there. The pick up is great, good gas milage, and very comfortable. Also, very easy to put down rear seats.

• 

  Great First Car - 2003 Toyota Corolla
  By First Car Owner - June 10 - 2:00 am

  I couldnt really ask for more in a first new car. At almost 10,000 miles I have yet to have a single problem...knock on wood! I get many positive comments from people on the exterior looks. The interior white gauges on black interior is beautiful. The interior is very spacious, especially the back seat. Much more comfortable interior than the Civic or Jetta. Have had inconsistant mileage, as only real complaint, varying from low 20s to upper 30s depending on weather here in upstate New York.

• 

  Great Car - 2003 Toyota Camry
  By dmkhnr - June 10 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car for my wife, and have no regret with the purchase.

• 

  GREAT VAN - 2004 Toyota Sienna
  By KAI - June 10 - 2:00 am

  NOTHING BAD TO SAY EXCEPT THE SEATS COULD FOLD FLAT BATTER

• 

  More car for the money - 2002 Toyota Echo
  By rhasson - June 8 - 10:00 am

  I wish every purchase I made was half as good as this one. The only thing I could say I dont like about this car is that its not sporty looking. This car is easy to step into and has plenty of head room and good acceleration with the manual transmission I bought.