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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  Friendly and Comfortable - 2017 Toyota Camry
  By Amanda Bridges - March 5 - 1:28 am

  Love the 17 model! Comfortable and roomy! Great value!

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  WOW! - 2007 Toyota Avalon
  By James - March 4 - 8:50 pm

  I test drove several cars in the luxury performance sedan class and was driving by a Toyota dealership, so I figured I would give the Avalon a try. I fell in love. The Avalon has more interior room, a better ride, and out performed all of them for $20k less.

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  I Love My Car! - 2002 Toyota Echo
  By sxylump - March 4 - 4:25 pm

  I have had my Echo since 2004 and I absolutely love it! It is zippy and gets wonderful gas mileage. It runs great and is a trooper in the snow (and We get a lot of snow where I live too). I recently took it to the local Toyota dealer for inspection and they said everything is still in great shape. I know when it comes time to buy a new car, it will be a sad day for me to part with my Echo.

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  Back to Toyota - 2009 Toyota Venza
  By Chuck - March 4 - 2:10 pm

  What I was looking for to replace my durango. Smaller but still has plenty of room, with good gas mileage. I got the 4cyl it has plenty of pep and getting 25mpg after a month.

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  Matrix fun to drive - 2009 Toyota Matrix
  By Jules - March 3 - 5:23 am

  A fun car to drive. Nice power for the vehicle and handles very well. Good gas mileage. I like the sporty look and feel to the vehicle.

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  Very Good Vehicle - 2008 Toyota Yaris
  By DeereToy - March 3 - 12:16 am

  Very good vehicle, doesnt look like a inexpensive car. Fun to drive. Very good mileage, worst 39 mpg high 43 mpg. Built very solid, when you shut the doors feels like you shut a car door not a beer can. Visibility excellent. Not the quietest but its not a $50,000 Cadillac either. Low insurance premiums, low property tax. All in all one awesome car. I love it!

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  Great Car - 2009 Toyota Venza
  By Gene - March 2 - 10:30 pm

  I was shopping to replace my 07 Highlander. The 09 Highlander was simply too big. I saw the Venza and gave it a test drive. Its a great car. The Toyota people know what they are doing. The Venza is well designed, very comfortable, fun to drive, well made, great on gas, and priced well. Its actually a station wagon (remember those?) for modern drivers. Toyota hit a home run. This is a no-brainer.

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  best in its class - 2010 Toyota Highlander
  By Andres - March 2 - 6:43 pm

  For a 4 cylinder, I got more than expected; the 2.7 187 hp engine makes this car a nice option to have a lot fun with your family.

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  Its About Time! - 2006 Toyota Avalon
  By Bob S. - March 2 - 2:36 pm

  This Avalon (Limited) for 06 in no longer the "poor mans Lexus" . Its my preference over Lexus AND Acura RL, both of which are waaaaay overpriced in my opinion. Quick on the trigger, and smooth in the saddle!

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  This is the Beast - 2003 Toyota Camry
  By dude - March 2 - 6:00 am

  Toyota has done it once again. I bought this car with 33,000 miles, and just changed the tires due to the carelessness of the previous owner mixing tires. This car is probably one of the most comfortable cars on the highway you can afford. With the MacPherson shocks you and the passengers wont feel a thing. We took a road trip Ohio to Illinois in it, and the people sitting in the back slept the whole way, not even a sound or bump woke them up. The best part about this car is the engine and transmission, it is unlikely you would hear the engine and feel the transmission shift.