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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  Long term relationship - 1997 Toyota RAV4
  By IAM - November 20 - 2:00 am

  We have had this car since 1997, its reliability performance & style have all withstood the test of time. It rides today like it did 9 years ago.

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  Not Happy - 2007 Toyota Avalon
  By Bruce - November 19 - 9:23 am

  I have about 1200 miles on my new Avalon and it will be a while before I get used to it, if I do at all. I owned a 2000 Lincoln Towncar before this and the ride and comfort was much better. It also came standard with 6-way power seats on the passenger side, which you cant get in the Avalon. The wheel well is so tight you scrape your hands trying to clean them. The paint coat is so thin on the front it chips real easy, didnt have this problem with the Lincoln. I was getting 20/26 MPG with the Towncar and only get 2 MPG more with my Toyota. May go back to a Ford Product the next time. The joy stick on the navigation system is time consuming.

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  my toy truck - 2003 Toyota Tacoma
  By gpzsteve - November 19 - 2:00 am

  truk handles very well and runs great.i wish it got better gas mileage

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  Nice Truck - 2003 Toyota Tacoma
  By Dan Moore - November 19 - 2:00 am

  All in all it is a great truck. Everything works and it has a good feel.

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  Be careful! - 2004 Toyota Sienna
  By Be careful! - November 19 - 2:00 am

  In just two new months Ive been in three fender benders! I have a silver van and everything shows, and, a little bump caused huge damage. My front right grill came off and my back door was indented not only in the point of impact but also to the far right.

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  First new car - 2004 Toyota Camry
  By Marge Mackey - November 19 - 2:00 am

  Found out the car had no side mirror heat to melt ice etc. Not good. New material on seats holds lint/hair more than 2003 No access to trunk without stopping car. Plug in for phone etc does not continue to charge when vehichle is shut off. Bad! Car handles very well on curves and cruises nicely on the hwy. Milage not the best right now. Hopefully will improve as car breaks in.

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  Good car so far - 2010 Toyota Corolla
  By Scott - November 19 - 12:23 am

  Believe it or not, traded a 2009 Pontiac G8 GT for a 2010 Corolla S with 5 speed stick. Added up cost of ownership for the next 5 years and it was a no brainer. Im actually enjoying the corolla more than the g8 because of the manual transmission. Getting 31 mpg with city/hwy combined. Seems like a lot of road noise, but I suspect crappy Goodyear tires are a big part of that. Steering does feel a little weird at hwy speeds, but doesnt really seem too bad. Car handles a lot better than an Acura v6 tsx I drove, it had tires squealing around every turn. For the price, design and quality of materials is fine. Shifter is pretty smooth and clutch action is light and easy.

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  looks neat, runs well - 2002 Toyota Echo
  By rw - November 17 - 10:00 am

  A good value for the money, easy to drive and get in/out of.

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  Funtional Car - 2001 Toyota Echo
  By VANED9726 - November 17 - 10:00 am

  Economic with a good picot. A good car to be parked in any parking lot.

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  THUNDRA OR THUNDER - 2001 Toyota Tundra
  By bart - November 17 - 10:00 am

  THE POWER STEERING PUMP WENT OUT AT 2800 MILES, THE WATER PUMP WENT OUT AT 11000 MILES.THE TRUCK IS GREAT BUT SO FAR NOT REALIBLE.