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:

• 

  Looks exotic and needs repaired just - 2003 Toyota MR2 Spyder
  By Seth2628 - April 25 - 2:00 am

  needs repaired just as much. I love the spyder its a great looking, awesome handling, head turning machine, it just lacks the power thats needed to keep up with the rest of the performance market. I have owned my spyder since Jan of 01 but recently got rid of it because of reliability issues alot of people were having. Not small ones either--major engine failures. The oil control rings are poorly designed/machined, which leads to oil being burned and the catalytic convertors frying. The subsequent damage is usually bad enough to warrant an engine replacement. To see details log on to Spyderchat.com care and maintanance section.

• 

  Gotta love it - 2003 Toyota Corolla
  By Toyzrme - April 25 - 2:00 am

  After testing it came to the Civic vs Corolla. Close call, but the Corolla had a more substantial feel to it. I also like the enterior of my LE better as it has a european quality to it. Good mileage, 33 to 40 on the highway. Excellent ride on highway for car class. Rougher on bumps than I would like. Acceleration is ok with the 4 speed auto. A little noisier when accelerating than the Prizm cousin it replaced. great sound system with the top of the line speaker option. Had a squeek in dash , but it has gone away. Could be the plastic Pretty good driver, but not sporty. If you are looking for a solid, dependable car consider the Corolla.

• 

  My third 4Runner - 1998 Toyota 4Runner
  By toobs13 - April 24 - 4:10 am

  The performance of the 3.4LV6 is better than other Toyota SUV/Trucks. For speed/acceleration junkies, TRD has a supercharger that bolts right onto this engine and still fits under the . Fuel economy is better than average 15-17 MPG. Install the TRD supercharger and aftermarket non-rubber sway bar bushings! Toyota has the best lines and highest ground clearence in its class. No one in the midsized SUV market even comes close to Toyota build quality and relaibility.

• 

  2010 Camry LE - 2010 Toyota Camry
  By JL Brown - April 23 - 11:26 am

  Bought the new 2010 Camry LE4, Gold w/sunroof and alloy wheels. Now have 2500 miles. This car has never exceeded 20/gal. I like the interior/exterior design and features. 16 inch wheels with Bridgestone tires. The tires sound like truck tires. Extremely noisy. Reflections of the top of the dash and back head rests onto the windows is unforgivable. This is my third Camry. I would rate it below average of the 3.

• 

  Off to a nice start! - 2005 Toyota Tacoma
  By JohnBoy53 - April 22 - 7:10 pm

  At 5-10 grand less than similarly equipped "Big" trucks, it is truly a great value. Ride is firm but comfortable, handling is tight and the interior noise level is low. I will post again as time goes on.

• 

  My Highlander - 2005 Toyota Highlander
  By G - April 22 - 3:16 am

  Ive only had my Highlander 10 weeks, but have already come to the conclusion that it will not be very comfortable on a long trip. The seats are hard. If I raise the seat at all, it makes it even harder. It then feels like Im sitting on a hard ball. Also on a recent pleasant day my grandaughter in the back seat, lowered the window and the noise produced by the air flow (or lack thereof) was terrible. It made a sound like a loud lawnmower.

• 

  Satisfied customer - 2009 Toyota Corolla
  By Manatee Co. Fl. - April 22 - 2:23 am

  I use this car for back and forth to work and get 34-36 mpg year round and 40 on the highway. It is roomy for its size and with the backseat down I can carry all sorts of things.

• 

  Update after 13,000 miles - 2004 Toyota Camry
  By Whib - April 21 - 2:00 am

  We bought our Camry LE in Feb. and truly "broke it in" according to the manual. On 2900 mile trip afterwards averaged just over 32 mpg.(Including city driving). Now have 13,000 trouble free miles & avg. better. This car has no rattles, squeaks, ect. It is comfortable and a pleasure to drive. Some say its handling is boring. My sister owns a 2001 Honda Accord EX. Around town our Camry is everybit as enjoyable, if not more so. On the open road the smoother ride more than makes up for a touch less handling in curves. - The build quality, interior materials and refinement make us feel like we own a much more expensive car.

• 

  Poor driver leg room - 2007 Toyota RAV4
  By Prizler - April 20 - 1:06 pm

  Excellent in all aspects particularly the spunky v6 engine which has more spunk than our 06 330 BMW! Leg room for everyone in the car is very spacious except for the driver! I am 511" and my knees have little room. If the seat would just move back another 1-2 inches it would be much more comfortable.

• 

  05 solara low build qualit rattles etc. - 2005 Toyota Camry Solara
  By Rick - April 19 - 9:30 pm

  Solara is just ok, build quality does not meet my expectations for a (TOYOTA), rattles, thumps and bumps. I hope the reliability lives up to expectation. I wish I had spent a few thousand more for a Mercedes C-Class! We have one my wife drives, it is a PERFECT 10! CAUTION sady finance and insurance dealings. WATCH OUT, I caught them. Buy a C-Class! Rick