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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  2002 Toyota Camry XLE (2.4L) - 2002 Toyota Camry
  By AA - October 11 - 10:00 am

  Bought used in 2004 with 45K. The vehicle has 160K and running great. The only repair was the tranny at 98K but covered under 100K warranty, that was close, repair would have been $4,000 at dealer. The cat converter went out at 110K, warranty expired. That was 2 years ago, no problem since. Brakes have been replaced. Good comfortable vehicle. Everyone that drives my vehicle always comment on how smooth it drives.

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  2010 Venza 4cyl. - 2010 Toyota Venza
  By john carey - October 11 - 10:00 am

  The four cylinder drives nice in the city, excellent front road view , very good gas mileage, they need to do a better job attenuating road noise. The back seat are very comfortable for a family with three teenagers. Vehicle feels compose and predictable when driving.

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  Still getting used to this car - 2011 Toyota Camry
  By still adjusting .... - October 11 - 10:00 am

  We own a 2003 Toyota Camry & continue to use it every day & love it. We needed an additional car, so we decided to buy a 2011 Camry LE. We are both still getting used to this car.It seems to often drive like a "horse in the starting gate"-more than ready to take off, especially from a park or stop mode. It is a smooth ride on the open rode, but we both feel like we have to "manage" its tendency to want to accelerate when we drive it in the city. We may take it back to the dealer to have it evaluated for this. We also notice that the windshield is slow to clear when it is both humid and/or rainy. Other than these 2 problems, we are enjoying the car.

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  Sequoia 2001 - 2002 Toyota Sequoia
  By MannyC - October 11 - 12:53 am

  I love my Sequoia, specially the interior, its roomy inside, the only thing that I notice about my Sequoia it needs more horsepower but after I reach 60 mph it runs so smooth.

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  Good and the Bad - 2013 Toyota RAV4
  By virga_studios - October 9 - 5:42 am

  Overall this car is very nice. I was previously an owner of a 2006 Honda CRV. When I compared the two in the 2013 models the Rav4 won out. However, after owing the car for a couple weeks I have some issues that I dont like about the design. First the low beam headlights are horrible. They are the worst of any car I have ever driven. There is a line across the lights that makes it so when I am driving I cant see very far up the road. It is fine with the high beams but you cant run those all of the time. I hate the rear pass windows. They are small and they slope up toward the back blocking visibility making a blind spot. The rear window does not open so you cant haul anything.

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  Follow up review - 2006 Toyota Tundra
  By Pete - October 7 - 5:20 pm

  I posted back on 4/30/06 and I wanted to comment again. Ive owned my Tundra 2 1/2 years now and Im totally satisfied. I did put flowmasters 70 series (duals) on it and Im very pleased. Additionally, I did put a K&N filter in it as well. I like the sound of it but more importantly my MPG is decent now. I dont drive like a race car driver but I do use it like a truck. City driving I get 16-17. Highway is 19 to 22. Here is the secret... 70 MPH is where I stop getting 20 MPG or better. It drops down to 18-19 MPG.

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  point A to B.. - 1996 Toyota Camry
  By tirthankar_b - October 7 - 2:00 am

  With a 4 cylinder engine, performance is reasonably good unless ur with 5 and the ac on. its very comfortable but there is a lot of roll during cornering. i am driving an used one in average condition, but it is very reliable. the engine works very well with the transmission. not so fuel efficient, gived me 19-21 mpg in the city. 24-26 on the highway.

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  2000 TACOMA EXT. CAB V-6 - 2000 Toyota Tacoma
  By MIKEEMAN - October 7 - 2:00 am

  MY EXPERIENCE WITH MY TRUCK HAS BEEN GREAT. OTHER THAN THE NEAR 100,000 MILE CLUTCH REPLACEMENT EVERYONE SHOULD EXPECT IT HASNT LEFT ME STRANDED. 4 WHEEL DRIVE SYSTEM HAS YET TO LET ME DOWN. BUT THE ALTERNATOR IS IN A BAD PLACE FOR A 4 X 4. ITS LOW NEAR THE WHEEL WELL IN A SPOT MUD AND WATER REGULARLY GET SPLASHED IF YOU ACTUALLY USE THE 4WD IN THE WOODS OR THE LOCAL PLAY HOLE. JUST A SMALL OVERSIGHT.

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  Toyota Tundra, one great truck - 2003 Toyota Tundra
  By Bobtoyota - October 7 - 2:00 am

  The Tundra feels/drives very solid, no rattles or sqeaks and does not drive like a big truck. Excellent braking and acceleration. The interior fit and finish is high quality. The front seat does not have enough leg room for a 6 foot man and the back seat is very small.

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  another winner... - 2003 Toyota 4Runner
  By JEMN - October 7 - 2:00 am

  Toyota got me back into their drivers seat with this vehicle. A former Honda, Nissan and Toyota owner (if only the Big 3 had their quality/reliability act together I would buy from them), this 4 Runner is just what this mid- life crisis ordered. On the outside, strong, sexy, classy. I love the front grill, the squared off wheel wells, its overall butch bull dog like appearance. Snowstorm here 3 weeks ago - it purred with pleasure in 4WD.