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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  Dependable - 2005 Toyota Sequoia
  By Tammy Hunter - May 2 - 4:50 pm

  The vehicle is great, there some small things that I would change, but as far as perfomance and depandabilty it is great!!!!

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  An Avalon fan - 2014 Toyota Avalon Hybrid
  By Gene Amerson - May 2 - 4:25 pm

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  Prius - 2005 Toyota Prius
  By stefanieblaine - May 2 - 3:50 pm

  I love my Prius. Could have more luxury features. I get stopped all the time and people tell me its beautiful. Gas mileage is incredible. I pay with a $20 and get change back!!! You get better mileage in city driving than country or highway. I get a new car approximately every two years and cant wait to see what theyve added on my next Prius. Roomy inside and I travel with two children. Trunk space is more than expected. Ride is nice, could be a little smoother. Handles well and doesnt hesitate when turning into traffic. Has great extra features like the rear view mirror auto dim at night and the day/ night mode for the navigational screen. I like the lower emmisions.

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  Mom of 3 loves her new minivan - 2008 Toyota Sienna
  By Mom of 3 - May 2 - 11:46 am

  Sienna or Odyssey? Its like 6 of one, half a dozen of the other. The two are both excellent, safe minivans, and if you have to have a minivan, either one will serve you well. I traded in a 2002 Chrysler Town & Country for the 08 Sienna because it felt more refined, and was more attractive inside and out than the Odyssey. The Odyssey has a tighter wheel and firmer ride--some call it more sporty. The Siennas steering is looser, so you may not feel as if you have as much control, but you do. The Siennas ride is incredibly smooth, and the turning radius is tight (for a minivan). There is hardly any road noise, and in my Limited there are more features than I know what to do with.

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  Almost perfect. Id buy it again. - 2006 Toyota Tacoma
  By Steve in Alabama - May 2 - 11:16 am

  Mine is PreRunner V6 Quad Cab Longbed. The rails in the bed are perfect for an Extang Black Max Tonneau. Plenty of room and comfort for family and big dog on trip. Longbed perfect for luggage to ladders to tree limbs going to the dump. Best mileage is 23 hwy, but driving fast loaded can get it to 18. No problems of any kind after one year and 15000 miles. I didnt realize it when I bought it, but the LB has a Suburban size wheelbase, and therefore a large turning radius, which makes small spaces tight. Seating is comfortable on long trips and provides good driver support. Im 61" and 190. Vision all around is good. Unless you deal with small parking spaces every day, buy the longbed.

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  Good Everyday Truck - 2016 Toyota Tacoma
  By A Alvi - May 1 - 9:30 pm

  Love the quality and the look of this truck, both logical interior design and the beautiful exterior .

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  A funny story about my beloved Sienna - 2001 Toyota Sienna
  By SexyMechanicinHeals - May 1 - 4:36 pm

  I have owned many cars in the past & not one has ever made me this happy as an owner. I am also an amateur mechanic. My story is classic, because I am a smart-a$$ & it was fun. Last summer I was driving behind a cherry red mustang with the top down. Sweet. Anyhow, the driver was kind of a jerk, ignoring the admirers on the sidewalk calling to him, "What year?" Fed up with this mans "Holier than Thou" attitude, I patted the side of my gray minivan, smiled wide & said, "2001! Aint she a beuat? Awesome mileage & drives like a dream!" The side of the street guys were in stitches as I waved and pulled away slowly and proud. I LOVE THIS VAN! My next one will just be a newer version!

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  for wasnt really a fan boy anyway and unsatisfied - 2017 Toyota Corolla
  By stephen - May 1 - 12:04 pm

  its a really nice car, I love driving it, it doesnt accelerate as fast as some of the cars Ive owned but its a 1.8 L 4 cylinder what do you expect? and notfanboy dont cry about the transmission get a manual and for unsatisfied thats a nice novel you wrote but again they do offer a manual 6spd transmission that alleviates the majority of what you dont like about the car. I cant say much about the backseat because I dont sit in it, I know the storage really impressed me for the size, I went to Costco and got two households worth of groceries folded down the back seats and fit everything with room to spare, didnt have to jam anything in and scratch my stuff up or anything. For everyone who is interested in the car its awesome, good mileage, very smooth even into the 100s, handles great and has a ridiculously tight turning radius. Again it was a solid buy.

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  for wasnt really a fan boy anyway and unsatisfied - 2017 Toyota Corolla
  By stephen - May 1 - 12:04 pm

  its a really nice car, I love driving it, it doesnt accelerate as fast as some of the cars Ive owned but its a 1.8 L 4 cylinder what do you expect? and notfanboy dont cry about the transmission get a manual and for unsatisfied thats a nice novel you wrote but again they do offer a manual 6spd transmission that alleviates the majority of what you dont like about the car. I cant say much about the backseat because I dont sit in it, I know the storage really impressed me for the size, I went to Costco and got two households worth of groceries folded down the back seats and fit everything with room to spare, didnt have to jam anything in and scratch my stuff up or anything. For everyone who is interested in the car its awesome, good mileage, very smooth even into the 100s, handles great and has a ridiculously tight turning radius. Again it was a solid buy.

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  My Dream Minivan! - 2005 Toyota Sienna
  By DCSowell - May 1 - 10:50 am

  As a mom of three I do not have the luxury of owning my dream "car" anymore, I had to settle for a dream minivan, and this one is it!!