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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  Loving our new car!! - 2009 Toyota Sienna
  By mruiz1495 - October 4 - 8:43 am

  This is the best minivan period! I love the roominess of the Sienna inside, the handling is OK, and performance is great.

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  Suprisingly Impressed - 2010 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By ehb1701 - October 4 - 4:40 am

  Have had my company-provided 2010 TCH for a week and am blown away. The TCH replaced a 2008 Impala, and beats it in every category including performance. Love the changes on the 2010. The upgrade pkg is worth the money and includes XM built in with 3 free mths. Bluetooth hands-free is worth every penny when you drive 35000mi/yr. Car rides and drives bigger than it is. My 1st Toyota, and very quiet & solid, even in 25 mph crosswinds. Getting 36-37 MPG in normal conditions. Put 1500 mi on TCH in 1st week-spent 7 hrs in the car-std lumbar support is outstanding. Now I understand the love of Toyotas. Chose this over 09 Impala LS and 10 Fusion SE b/c of features and size.

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  I like my FJ Cruiser a real SUV - 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser
  By ron - October 3 - 6:43 pm

  Ive only had two cars in my 21 years and this is the best so far, Thanks Mom. This is the new innovative SUV that says welcome to the era of creativity. Functional, comfortable, fun, big, rough, tough and right for me. A young up and coming adult with an active life, no kids, no wife just life and trying to reach a few goals along the way by graduating in 2007. This is an SUV that fits my present expectations of an innovative SUV and not a luxury type Range Rover SUV prototype.

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  On the Road - 2005 Toyota Avalon
  By Donald Frank Colvin - October 3 - 9:26 am

  The new 2005 handles like a dream. Is quiet, maneuvers like a cheetah. I have yet to step on the gas full as of now because the 280 HP is way more than it needs. The temperature should be displayed at all times but it is not. I think the new engine is a little more noisy than my 98 Avalon but it is still very quiet in the passenger compartment. The sound system is fantastic. I have only 350 + miles on the car to date and the expected milage is as good if not better than advertised.

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  Reliable gem. - 2005 Toyota Corolla
  By Sandra Parker - October 3 - 4:22 am

  The car is 2005 and I have never had one major repair needed in all the years I have owned it. This is my 3rd Toyota Corolla, and if I buy another car, it will the same make and model. Most reliable car on the road in my opinion.

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  4wd Trail Edition cant be beat - 2010 Toyota 4Runner
  By 4funner - October 3 - 2:20 am

  For years Ive wanted a 4Runner and when they came out with the Trail Edition, I finally bought one. Standard rear locking diff, Multi-terrain 4wd select, multi-speed crawl control (like cruise control for 4wd). With the Kinetic Dynamic Suspension system handles like a car at high speeds. In terms of handling, features, and interior comfort there is no vehicle like this. Cant wait for March when I get to test all the 4wd features in southern Utah. Although I wasnt crazy about having to pay $2400 for the Nav system, the 15 JBL speaker system that comes with Nav is amazing.

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  A Terrific, Fun, and Responsible Car - 2003 Toyota Prius
  By mgenito - October 3 - 2:00 am

  I have driven my new Prius over 5,000 miles and have loved every minute of it. It is a terrific answer to those seeking to drive a more environmentally responsible car, without sacrificing the look, feel, and maintenance of a more traditionally powered car. It not only significantly reduces air and water pollution, but noise pollution as well wehn it slips into electric mode.

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  1999 Rav AWD - 1999 Toyota RAV4
  By John Capp - October 3 - 2:00 am

  Excellant car for the young and small family. Only problem was that it lacked some needed power. In 3-1/2 years I only had to change the oil. Never a mechanical failure of any kind. Additionally, the resale value actually decreased the year to year expenditures relative to like vehicles.

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  Fun Car - Comfortable ride & good cargo - 1998 Toyota RAV4
  By deitiphobia - October 3 - 2:00 am

  This car is great. It rides smooth, performs ok offroad, is fairly quiet on Higways. Great fuel efficiency.

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  Tundra SR5 - 2003 Toyota Tundra
  By Steph G - October 3 - 2:00 am

  I bought the Tundra as an extra to have a vehicle to lug stuff, if I need to. I looked at GM,Ford and Dodge, and after a (very) short test drive in the Tundra - the others were no longer in the running. Comfort and quietness, smoothness, handling...all great. No problems other than the dealer not installing the bedliner correctly, so it was not under the rails. Sometimes I wish I had spent the $2k more and gotten the Limited with leather and more features.