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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  Topless fun - 2004 Toyota MR2 Spyder
  By steve68 - October 11 - 10:00 am

  Fun to drive, easy to own, and good on gas. Try it through corners!

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  Toyota Quality - 1996 Toyota Camry
  By mehollin - October 11 - 10:00 am

  180,000 miles and still going strong...this car has had no major maintenance (only replaced brakes, battery, and alternator).

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  4 months and happy - 2004 Toyota RAV4
  By jdean - October 11 - 10:00 am

  This is a very good car. well thought out and well built. Fun to drive. great visibilty. lots of pep and good response. Well satisfied.

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  A few things to consider - 2004 Toyota Camry Solara
  By Alatha - October 11 - 10:00 am

  In Toyotas infinite wisdom, they have preprogrammed the maintenance light to come on and stay ON at certain mileage points. You must have it reset by your dealership despite the fact you may have just changed the oil. I only have 5,000 miles on this car and changed the oil at 3,000 miles. It feels very manipulative.

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  great car- bad vision out of rear - 2004 Toyota Camry Solara
  By barry friedman - October 11 - 10:00 am

  Beautiful, nice handling, plenty of power except for pea headed power hungry males( I am a male). Rear view through mirrors is absolutely miserable- and head restraints are supposedly not removable. Would call the car a lemon design because of the latter. Not safe. The insurance institutes will figure that out quickly. The company has not responded to my rquests for info on changing the rear seats.

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  love it!!!!!!!!! - 2004 Toyota Camry Solara
  By rumbon - October 11 - 10:00 am

  I love my four wheels motorcycle, because thats how i feel my new convertible. Very nice ride, sleek, pimping look, specially when the top is down, looks way "different from any other convertible, roomy, the only con I can tell about it is the blind sptots are really blind, cant see a thing in the bck when backing up.

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  Great No Hassle Cushy Car - 2000 Toyota Camry
  By Sienadingo - October 11 - 10:00 am

  This is a solid reliable car that is very comfortable to drive.

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  Great Build Quality Inside Out - 2004 Toyota 4Runner
  By 4RunnerLovers - October 11 - 10:00 am

  Purchased this SUV on July 31, 04. Put 50miles on it and am touch from the first drive. Roomy leg room for front and rear seats, self-latch rear door, nice hood design, climate control, standard vehicle stability control, ABS, EBD, EBA, XREAS, neat engine cover, comfortable bucket seats for front and REAR seats too, perfect design headrest fit w ell for my body posture are all the standard feature that made me choose this SUV over Plain look, simple dashboard design Honda Pilot with less features. I dont see what editor comment about spongy brake pedal feeling. I love the brake feeling compared to accords (Stiffer feel). I think its perfect already.

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  What a Value! - 2005 Toyota Corolla
  By Elgwapous - October 11 - 10:00 am

  Yesterday I just bought a 05 LE Corolla for my girlfriend. Her 01 Corolla was totalled but she loved that one so much that she wanted a new one. The value of this car is outstanding. I paid about 8K more for an equally comparable VW Jetta, wish Id bought the Corolla instead and saved myself the aggrevation of buying a lemon for 8K more! The corolla had many options, but the standard for LE wood grain interior definately adds a little more class to the corolla. You cant beat that gas milege either. My only negative comment is that I thought the engine was a little loud a high revs. (could be the german car Im used to is quieter).

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  No wonder it is so popular - 2007 Toyota 4Runner
  By Phillip Jones - October 11 - 8:40 am

  For years, the 4Runner has been a popular SUV in TX. I bought a 2005 V6 SR5 and liked it, but traded it in for this SE V8 so I could pull a RV travel trailer. Went with the upgraded JBL audio system and leather. Love the sunroof. The engine is a solid performer and accelerates nicely when needed. Exterior aesthetics are nice. Everyone who has ever ridden in it has been impressed. I expect to drive this well past 150K miles.