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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  Sequoia - 2001 Toyota Sequoia
  By linlor - March 29 - 10:00 am

  Love it. Gets us through the snow as we live in Canada.

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  The Best - 2004 Toyota Matrix
  By roytuna777 - March 29 - 10:00 am

  I bought a 2004 Toyota Matrix and it is great. I drive with it everywhere I go. It truly holds everything you will ever need and even holds my 7 foot christmas tree (picked it out already for christmas, early, I know. You can fold down either one of the back seats and even the front seat. There is plenty of leg room for my kids who love to go on long drives in the counrty. We all love our new matrix. Now we call it "The Return Of The Matrix"

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  the best - 2004 Toyota Matrix
  By maia - March 29 - 10:00 am

  I really like my Matrix. It looks small on the outside but its really spacious.I like the way it rides, and how fast it picks up speed.

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  Blue Babe - 2004 Toyota Matrix
  By sklimeric - March 29 - 10:00 am

  My first foreign car. I love it! Great mileage, ease of handling, eye catcher. Hope to have it a long time.

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  the best small SUV - 2004 Toyota RAV4
  By trebor1511 - March 29 - 10:00 am

  a very good SUV, very stylish and economical.

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  10 month review - 2003 Toyota Matrix
  By jalmario - March 29 - 10:00 am

  I can see where most people may not get used to or even make use of the " drive it like you stole it" performance margin within the XRS, but to get a true feeling of its performance you must take it past 6000 rpms when the large cam lobes kick in. Boy what a rush. You will be addicted to the L (lift) in VVTL-I. Handles great too.

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  Great deal on a great truck - 2003 Toyota Tundra
  By sevriano - March 29 - 10:00 am

  Just picked this Tundra up yesterday. Have owned Nissan King Cab and Ford F150 Supercab 4X4. This Tundra is loaded and makes for a very comfortable cabin. Have TRD offroad suspension and ride is better than Ford. Was going to wait for doublecab in fall but deal was too good to pass up($5400 off MSRP with rebate).

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  Toyotas Gem - 2003 Toyota Highlander
  By PricanEsq - March 29 - 10:00 am

  A very comfortable smooth ride on the Highway as well as local streets. The cabin is quiet and comfortable. The perfect car for those who want the look of an SUV but the performance of a Sedan.

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  AWESOME !!!! - 2004 Toyota Corolla
  By Cristian - March 29 - 10:00 am

  I find the new Corolla like a mini- Lexus, the style, comfort and reliability are extraordinary....GREAT CAR GREAT TOYOTA!!!

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  Corrolla S - 2004 Toyota Corolla
  By Schweet - March 29 - 10:00 am

  Toyota has always proven to be very reliable. The Corolla has oustanding gas mileage and tune-ups every 5000 miles, which is great compared to 3000 miles. I have been told that the car looks great from absolute strangers at street lights. I also recommended a friend to buy one and she loves it too.