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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  Best car that Ive owned - 2005 Toyota Prius
  By Richard Wolfe - December 29 - 9:53 pm

  Its nice to drive by a gas station instead of driving in. Had car for over a year with no problems. Fun to drive with lots of room. We get 51 mpg going 70 mph on long trips.

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  Toyota Hits the Mark - 2006 Toyota Prius
  By John - December 29 - 8:33 pm

  Hands down the best car available. Toyota has really hit the mark with all of the fantastic state of the art features that this car contains. Well done!!! The touch screen display, 9 speaker 6 disc MP3 playing stereo, hands-free bluetooth, smart key system, is everything I could have wanted in a vehicle. Not to mention I am getting 54 miles per gallon!!! Bravo, I cant wait for the next generation.

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  best truck so far - 2005 Toyota Tundra
  By best - December 29 - 2:13 pm

  Ive driven trucks that felt like the steering was dead(chevy). This is by far the best large truck with great comfort.

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  Best car in the world - 2004 Toyota Prius
  By Scott - December 29 - 8:43 am

  This is the car that will transform the auto industry: proving for the first time that to be green, you dont have to sacrifice anything -- not comfort, power, safety, size or convenience, all as affordable as a regular car. It presents the question: with gas prices high and increasing, why isnt there a hybrid version of every car in the world? Its a cool car (I got the killer stereo and navigation system, and dressed it up with after-market leather seats), and I just love the feeling of burning less Mid-East oil than any other car on the road, and spewing less pollution into the air to make my kids asthma worse. Im taking care of my nation, my family and my community -- with a Prius!

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  Love this Crossover - 2013 Toyota RAV4
  By databased - December 29 - 8:16 am

  This is my first SUV, Ive had it for 1 month and driving 600 miles. Initially, no matter how fun it was to drive, I questioned my decision to get the Rav4. The dash display told me my MPG and I was less than thrilled. However, I decided to track my own stats and I have no remaining doubt that I made the right choice. I just gassed up and calculated 29.8 mpg. I traded in a 2001 Mazda 626 that got 23, and this ride is so much more comfortable and fun! The rear-view isnt too limited and it has loads of power and spunk. Extremely comfortable and well-designed cockpit. Classy-looking, too. Quiet, smooth cabin and fantastic sound clarity in stereo & Bluetooth. Recommended!

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  I bought two! - 2003 Toyota Sequoia
  By C Elliott - December 29 - 2:00 am

  Loved the vehicle so much that we purchased another Sequoia, a 2004 Limited Edition, this year.

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  WE love it! - 2004 Toyota Land Cruiser
  By emmaco - December 29 - 2:00 am

  After having 4 Runners for 7 years we moved up to the LC for the extra room for our growing family. Living in the mountains of colorado - I wouldnt want another car. There have times in the past 5 years when only Land Cruiser and Range Rovers were allowed access to our sub-division during snow storms. Their durability and reliabilty are outstanding. Their performance in the snow impecable and the 2004 has terrific gusto that makes it fun to drive. Only down marks are for gas mileage and its the same size tank as my 4 runner so ... Otherwise - get this car!!! Its awesome!!

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  Land cruiser - 2004 Toyota Land Cruiser
  By juan C - December 29 - 2:00 am

  Very nice to drive

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  Our "tan" Matrix - 2004 Toyota Matrix
  By dmartin - December 29 - 2:00 am

  We purchased our 2003 Matrix last May. It is a lot of fun to drive and handles like a dream. So far we have only one complaint. When it is sunny, you cannot see the odometer with sunglasses on. The head and leg room are great. We have taken it on our first real family vacation last summer and look forward to another great vacation this summer. Thank you, Toyota for bringing back the "wagon".

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  SAFE AND SPORTY - 2004 Toyota Matrix
  By MARK NGUYEN - December 29 - 2:00 am

  THE CAR IS GREAT TO HANDLE AND A GREAT VEHICLE TO TAKE AROUND IF YOU NEED SPACE AND COMFORT. I TAKE MY MATRIX WITH ME EVERY WEEKEND TO THE BEACH ABOUT 100 MILES FROM WHERE I LIVE. IT HAS PLENTY OF ROOM FOR MY 9 FOOT 9 SURFBOARD AND 2 FRIENDS.