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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  This is the DE FACTO Land Cruiser - 2008 Toyota Sequoia
  By George Withers - April 17 - 2:20 pm

  The ultimate large-size luxury SUV. Period.

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  Pearl - 2006 Toyota Avalon
  By drs - April 17 - 10:10 am

  This car is way different from my 2000 Avalon (which looked like a grandpa car). The 2005/06 is hot looking and had the power to match almost any car on the road. The torque is huge for a 6-cylinder and the mileage is great for a 268 hp engine. The only problem is getting used to the computerized controls (braking and accelerator). The computer programming causes annoying shifting and some delays in reaction times.

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  Great little truck - 1996 Toyota Tacoma
  By tacolover - April 17 - 10:00 am

  Absolutely reliable, fun to drive, good gas mileage. I expect I will get another 10 years out of it, easily.

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  AMAZING - 2002 Toyota Celica
  By jennling - April 17 - 10:00 am

  This car is the best car anyone could ask for...its hot and beggs for attention!!!

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  Big, Bold, and Beautiful!!!! - 2005 Toyota Sequoia
  By firefighterresponder - April 17 - 10:00 am

  After a full month of intensive research, I found the following: Best Resale Value (Sequoia), Best Overall Reliability (Sequoia), Best Safety Features (Sequoia-I got the front and rear side cutain airbags with rollover protestion package). Yes the Sequoia costs a litle more in the beginning, but because of resale value and reliability it costs you less in the long run. Additonally, my dealer (Stokes Brown Toyota) provided me with a great deal and has excellent service after the sale (This is my second Toyota from them). Plus its built in Indiana, so you can feel good that you are buying a vehicle that provides jobs to Americans.

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  I wish the dealer could fix this one - 2005 Toyota Corolla
  By ceglinton - April 17 - 10:00 am

  Did a lot of research to find a reliable car. Our 1998 Camry was totalled and we wanted to stick with Toyota. We like the looks of the Corolla and the way it drove. We purchased on 8/3/04 and two days later the check engine light came on. Dealer said it was the gas cap. Light came on again and this time dealer said it was the o2 sensor. They replaced and light came on again the same day. Now dealer says it is the computer. Waiting for part to arrive from Japan because dealer says there is an upgrade in the computer we need. They have had the car for two weeks and they are telling me it will be another week.

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  This car saved my life!!! - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By Kathy - April 17 - 4:57 am

  I was the victim of a brutal hit and run today. My car survived!! The front end took a huge beating. I am alive!!! Thank you Toyota. My son still has his Mommy! I will buy Toyota again and again! Car is fixed $6k later. Still no maintenance problems. I just replaced my car battery after 12 years!!

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  Fifth 4 Runner Owned - 2010 Toyota 4Runner
  By Nick - April 17 - 2:23 am

  Have owned five 4 runners to date including the original fiberglass cap model and all other generations. This one is the best yet. Drive is firm, acceleration and power fits my needs and the look of it in black with the 20 inch wheels is awesome. In a world of pregnant looking station wagons parading around as SUVs this is a refreshing change. Sound system and navigation system work beyond my expectations.

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  Only one thing can make it better - 2004 Toyota Prius
  By VBPGMR - April 16 - 12:00 pm

  This car is great. It gets great millage and handles like a dream. It has lots of get-up-and-go. I usually am the first off the line. The voice recognigition dosnt always understand me, but I can live with that. This free GPS upgrade that Im getting next week might fix that. I would like a few of the extras they have on the Japaneese models, like the beeping bumpers, the tilting mirrors when backing, the auto paralell parking feature sounds great too. Im glad other Prius owners dont have the TV, but I would like to have that feature.

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  Great car for the money - 2007 Toyota Camry Solara
  By Mike - April 16 - 10:20 am

  The Solara rag top is an overall excellent product. Superb build quality. Im getting 29.5 MPG on the highway. This is a great car for the money. Smooth as silk. This car just glides.