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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  Great Car! - 2000 Toyota Celica
  By Doppelganger - March 11 - 10:00 am

  I owned a used 87 Celica, then bought a new 2000 Celica four years ago. I still love my car, and get lots of compliments on it. Reliability is superb, handling is awesome, its fun to drive, yet comfortable, and it looks really nice. In addition to some comsmetic upgrades, I have upgraded the intake, exhaust, shifter, wheels/tires, and added a front strut-tower brace to make it even more fun to drive. People who complain about blind-spots need to adjust their side-view mirrors properly; true, it doesnt have the wide-open expanses of glass that some cars have, so it takes some getting used to, but I have no blind-spots.

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  new-age surf woody - 2004 Toyota Matrix
  By CreativePro - March 11 - 10:00 am

  The Matrix XRS is quick, nimble, and comfortable. I could spend all day driving through the twisties... and I have tried, but have yet to find to edge of the latteral grip envelope. This thing sticks like glue! Top speed to date is 118 with more left in her. The rear hatch open two ways, and is great for hauling groceries or surfboards. Best of all, after 20,000 miles the only problem Ive had was a squeaky auxilory drive (belt was too tight) that Toyota replaced without hassle.

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  excellent - 2004 Toyota RAV4
  By kalafa - March 11 - 10:00 am

  The back seats are not comfortable for full size adults.

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  My New Toy - 2004 Toyota Sequoia
  By Chris Fascetta - March 11 - 10:00 am

  I did my research and test drove all the other big SUVs and the Sequoia was by far the best one out there. The others felt like trucks, the Toyota felt like driving a car. The Sequoia has enough to it and serves all my needs including towing and hauling the kids around town. Even my wife likes it now.

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  My opinion of the 4 Runner - 2004 Toyota 4Runner
  By LE AYCOCK - March 11 - 10:00 am

  The ride is really comfortable compared to the Ford Explorer (which is what I traded in)

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  The Best in 35 Years - 2004 Toyota 4Runner
  By GL.MAX - March 11 - 10:00 am

  Third 4 Runner, Last was a 2000. Have owened 4x4s since 1969. This by far the best engineered and best built car of it type I have ever owned. Interior: Bucket seats are excellent.Added sheepshin covers to releive the heat/cold of leather seats. Controls are easy to see and operate. (The Inst. Manuel at 401 pages, well...) The A/C is good, not excellent. The CD player is hard to operate if Area Nav is installed. A plus is the mini cam in the rear. Paking it much easier adds to safty as you can see see that no child is behind you. Forward visability is excellent. Rearward is poor. Without the mini TV, backing up would be an adventure and dangerous.

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  Great For An SUV - 2004 Toyota 4Runner
  By Guy With 4 Runner - March 11 - 10:00 am

  I wasnt really sold on the design of the 4 Runner until I drove it. I test drove every mid-size SUV on the market, this was by far the best. It has good acceleration (for an SUV) and it handles really well. I have taken it off road several times, and it handles everything. Its a really solid truck.

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  Perfect Mommy Van - 2006 Toyota Sienna
  By Leesa - March 11 - 7:06 am

  I just have to say that I love my car, its so perfect for a mommy, I think it must have been designed by a mommy, it has EVERYTHING you need to make your drive easy and fun. I tried all the vans but nothing even compared to the Sienna, I love everything about it, the inside is like an airplane, its big and has so many little compartment and drink holders, mine has a DVD and 3 car seats and still lots of room for 3 adult passengers, I just love my car, it was a perfect car for me. I never thought I would be one of those "moms" who drove a mini-van, but here I am, driving one and feeling very proud of it.

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  A proven workhorse - Love It - 2009 Toyota Corolla
  By coppscycle - March 11 - 1:29 am

  Travel average 2 weeks per month Purchased used in 2010 with 14,000 miles - still gets 38 miles to the gallon highway. Removed head rests back seat folds down provides ample room for cargo. Regular maintenance except decided to have transmission flushed at 60,000 miles. Now at 68,000 the car has proven to be reliable and easy to maintain. Would buy again in a heartbeat. Oh Previously drove a Honda Civic (1983) which has 180,000 miles and still gets 34 mpg hwy. When purchasing a car expect it to last until newer models have significantly better gass mileage AND comfort.

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  Great gas mileage - 2000 Toyota Echo
  By Big Kahuna - March 10 - 9:14 pm

  Im a big guy and there is plenty of room. Great gas mileage. $20 fills her up and cheap to maintain. Whats not to like.