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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  EXCELLENT Fuel Mileage - 2012 Toyota Prius v
  By gregff - September 30 - 5:49 am

  I drive 55 miles one way to work. 5 days a week. I bought the car Oct 19th 2013 and as of 3/15/13 have over 15000 miles. Most of the driving is up and down hills, none are big but all are long grades. About 10 miles is flat. I am averaging 40-41MPG. Ride is excellent road noise is not a problem. Only Complaint I have is the Rear speakers do not have any volume. Dealer has looked at it and says ALL Prius V have the same issue, no fix.

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  Endearing little machine - 2000 Toyota Echo
  By James and Joanna - September 29 - 10:06 pm

  This car has won me over. Despite the awful center-mount gauges and ugly styling, Toyota did its homework. Interior space is larger than its subcompact rating would suggest, as is its trunk. The interior materials, while not much on a quality impression, are extremely hard wearing. Few rattles are to be heard. The ride is comfortable for a car with such a short wheelbase, but handling can be squirrelly especially at higher speeds or in crosswinds. The motor isnt exactly refined but even saddled with an automatic transmission it moved the car with surprising swiftness and equally impressive fuel economy - low 30s on my short commute with a/c and near 40 on long trips.

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  SOLID CAR - 2002 Toyota Echo
  By newtonent - September 29 - 10:00 am

  NO PROBLEMS,GREAT GAS MILEAGE,INSTRUMENTS ARE WHERE THEY SHOULD BE,SOLID BUILD, THE CAR HAS A TENDANCY TO ROLL AROUND A BIT IN AN OFF CANTER TURN AT 100 MPH.BUT ITS SOMETHING YOU LEARN TO LIVE WITH.

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  Love it! - 1998 Toyota Corolla
  By vicenza77 - September 29 - 4:50 am

  Bought the car used two years ago and beside regular maintenance, I have had a pleasurable experience. It is a nice looking car which has kept its value over the years.

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  Toyota Camry Not A Toy - 2001 Toyota Camry
  By Ronald J Mims - September 28 - 5:55 am

  My Toyota Camry is 15 years old, Im the second owner. I can only say good things about this car, the engine is so quiet you can hardly hear it. If you maintain a vehicle it certainly will pay off.

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  No disappointments - 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By Chuck - September 27 - 9:46 pm

  My wife and I took a road trip so the first week was more highway than city driving but we averaged 40.2 MPG. We have owned Lexus and Mercedes cars and SUVs and the Toyota is almost as quiet, the fit and finish is good, not a big fan of all the plastic but hey the car was under $30k with navigation, leather heated seats, upgraded stereo, sunroof, etc. Would definitely buy again. As I said no disappointments.

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  97 Avalon XLS - 1997 Toyota Avalon
  By rsnorwood - September 27 - 6:23 am

  Bought new - now 85,600. Other than strut mounts as mentioned, and brakes, no major repairs. This car stinks in snow. I live on a hill and get stuck almost every snowstorm. Now shopping for an AWD sedan which is not easy to find in the 1st place - making it harder is trying to find one that doesnt seem like a compact car to me. If not for New England weather Id keep it for a few more years.

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  most reliable car owned - 1997 Toyota Avalon
  By Jeanne E - September 26 - 10:00 am

  This car might not be the most exciting car Ive owned, but it has been the most reliable and is still complelely reliable after 180000 miles and 8 years!

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  Not a basic Econobox but some flaws - 2004 Toyota Prius
  By CA Kid - September 26 - 10:00 am

  I have a 50 mile daily commute so when it came time to get a new car fuel economy was a priority. The Prius fits the bill I average in the high 40s. In addition it ahs lots of storage and room for 4 people corfortably (better than my old Camry) Its fun to drive, gets lots of comments. Down sides, the interior is too light showes dirt easily, The drivers seat is a little narrow. Steering at freeway speeds is a little twitchy, like having a sluggish joystick. Paint chips easily. Panic stops the brakes grab oddly.

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  Battery Rundown - 2004 Toyota Sienna
  By Tim - September 25 - 5:23 pm

  I like nearly everything about the 2004 Sienna XLE we purchased except for the fact that the Battery has rundown at least 10 times over the 18 months that weve owned it for various reasons. E.g. children left interior lights on or door open. Extremely frustrating, and no Toyota fix available. For a van sold on all its family friendly features (which is mostly accurate) this was one major engineering oversight.