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:

• 

  Solid & reliable - 1996 Toyota 4Runner
  By Excellent Truck - October 28 - 3:06 pm

  Bought this vehicle used in 2000 with 100000 km. Aside from periodic oil changes, it hasnt cost me a penny, extremely reliable through the harshest conditions. Fuel mileage could be better, but still a small price to pay for the trouble free performance. Highly recomended, would buy another Toyota without thinking twice.

• 

  AVALON " LIMITED " JUST A GREAT CAR - 2006 Toyota Avalon
  By Bill - October 28 - 4:50 am

  My wife has a 2006 Lexus GS300 and i have a 2006 Toyota Limited we have more room in my limited both in the rear and trunk then the Lexus. We use my Limited more then her Lexus and we payed a lot more for that lexus. For what i payed for my limited to me the car has a lot more to offer its a lot of fun to drive and the fuel ecomony is great. Im getting 24 mpg around town and 34 to 35 mpg on the open road. As far as we are concerned we love our TOYOTA LIMITED. If any one is thinking about getting one please do so you wont be sorry. Keep up the good work TOYOTA.

• 

  Ill be happier when I sell it - 2008 Toyota Avalon
  By Brett - October 28 - 2:41 am

  Some pros are that there is a tremendous amount of interior space, especially in the back seat and the gas mileage is excellent for such a roomy car that has plenty of power. Cons are the steering/suspension make it seem like you are driving a 1970s Buick - float, float, wallow, float some more. My car has both the headlight and dash cracking issue that the previous owners never got repaired under the recalls. Plus, there are the typical Toyota annoyances - there is no retained accessory power, so your radio goes off and your windows dont work as soon as you shut off the key, you cant lock the car until all the doors are shut, secondary controls are unlit at night and impossible to see without bending all sorts of ways, the doors will relock if you dont open them in time, etc. Maybe I just got too used to the thinking behind GM engineering, but I really appreciate the little things included in my Chevy that this Toyota does have, even though it stickered for $10,000 more than my Chevy when new. Overall, this Avalon is acceptable if you have few other options but I will be getting rid it within the next year and buying another GM car.

• 

  Toyota Hybird - 2003 Toyota Prius
  By Clara - October 28 - 2:00 am

  Fun to drive and it is very comfortable and the gas mileage , you can not beat it. I would buy another one for sure.

• 

  Reliable, Slightly Zippy Commuter Car - 1998 Toyota Corolla
  By coloradohunters - October 28 - 2:00 am

  My Corolla has been an excellent commuter car - great gas mileage (close to 30 around town), easy to drive, and even a little peppy when you need it. For the 5 years my wife and I have driven it weve had no problems with it. Although it can be sluggish when its loaded down. When my wife and I switched cars, my Camry for her Corrolla, I had to get use the less leg room and foot room.

• 

  Prius 2004, one month - 2004 Toyota Prius
  By geo241 - October 28 - 2:00 am

  The Prius rides well on the highway, and in town is totally fun just trying to coax out more time/distance on the electric motor system. The electronics are like Disneyland, and the GPS system is wonderful compared to a number of aftermarket, pocket pc level, alternatives I have tried. We are waiting to activate a Bluetooth phone so we can take advantage of that feature as well. The first two tanks of gas have averaged over 48 mpg in mixed driving.

• 

  Brake/vibration/O2 sensor problems - 2000 Toyota Tundra
  By tundrarules - October 28 - 2:00 am

  **Brake vibrations **Frame vibrations **O2 sensor bad **Cracked manifold Had problems with brake vibration. Have been to the dealer 3 times with the brakes. After the last time at the dealer the problem seems to be fixed. The truck has always had a small vibration problem. Even after tires changed. Had a ticking noise when the truck was first started. That turned out to be a cracked manifold. Just got a check engine light. The dealer says it is an O2 sensor. They wanted $270.00 to replace it!!!! I am not falling for that one. Got a sensor for $50 @ sparkplugs.com.

• 

  just one fun car - 2003 Toyota Matrix
  By Dominc - October 28 - 2:00 am

  Fun to drive; lots of space; quick response from padel; sporty in and out; very supportive bucket seats; household power outlet perfect for "plug it in" scent; good handling (out performed a Focus on mountain road in my personal experience).

• 

  Matrix - 2003 Toyota Matrix
  By BillMatrix - October 28 - 2:00 am

  This is a fun car that gets great gas mileage. It is quick and easy to handle. The six-speed adds to the fun.

• 

  going to buy another one - 2002 Toyota Highlander
  By L G - October 28 - 2:00 am

  originally bought it for the wife. now i have to drive it all accross Texas. Excellent when you have 4-5 hours of driving, no sore back. Quiet,not one minute of down time in almost 40,000 in less than 1 1/2 years. going to buy another one. this is my 7th Toyota, they are the best on the road.