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:

• 

  Fuel efficient - 2007 Toyota Prius
  By subarudavis - May 26 - 7:29 am

  30k miles on the car now, running strong. I like the car, it has good audio, comfortable seats (not electric though), roomy, and most of all its economical to run. My insurance gives me a break because its a hybrid, I pay a lot less for gas, and it is reliable. These features save me money but I am a little angry at toyota for making it so hard to change headlights, I had to bay a few hundred because the whole front bumper needs to be taken off to get to the HID lights on the touring model. No mechanical issues, one electrical issue with cd player not working, and the GPS is horrible. Not very fun to drive and not powerful. I get about 45mpg overall.

• 

  Sporty Commuter Car - 2013 Toyota Corolla
  By az_scott - May 26 - 1:59 am

  I purchased my 2013 Toyota Corolla S 5spd a week ago. This was my first new car purchase in over ten years. I considered the 2013 Honda Civic LX 4DR, 2013 Hyundai Elantra GLS 4DR, and the 2013 Ford Focus 4DR and 5DR HB. Civic was nice, but beyond our budget. The Elanta was a close second, and the Ford wasnt even interesting enough for us to test-drive. I was actually going to skip the Corolla altogether but decided to look at them anyway. Glad I did. The S trim in a 5spd is anything but dull, drab, and uninspiring. Granted, the acceleration isnt mind-blowing, but this car is cool, comfortable, safe, sensible and will last us for years to come. We got it for a smokin price too.

• 

  Great for the money - 2007 Toyota Yaris
  By kevin sheldrick - May 25 - 9:46 pm

  Excellent small car for back and forth to work and on trips . Great on gas. I get a lot of ribbing from co-workers but laugh all the way past the gas stations.

• 

  Quiet ride with great MPG - 2011 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By Philken - May 25 - 9:10 am

  This car has a great and quiet ride. I am averaging about 38 MPG city/highway driving. I got 43.8 MPG on one recent interstate trip! Interior is roomy. Only complaint is poor acceleration from take-off.

• 

  Try a Buick Lucerne - 2011 Toyota Avalon
  By Dino - May 25 - 2:36 am

  I am in the shopping process & have driven nearly every competitor & rate the Buick Lucerne as the best in this class overall. The Avalon does not offer the Blind side warning system, chrome wheels & the trunk is much smaller than the Lucerne which costs less w/the discounts available. The Avalon is faster but the exterior look is dated & not as impressive in my opinion as the Lucerne. Ford is out of the game w/their ugly Taurus which has an almost useless trunk & such poor visibility that it is a wonder the NTSB allows it on the road? The foreign buck boards are reserved for the road & track people.

• 

  Toyota Quality - 2000 Toyota Tundra
  By Todd Wagner - May 24 - 5:46 pm

  I bought it with 30k miles and now have 60k. No problems except for CD player skips and brake pedal squeaks when depressed. Otherwise runs great, runs smooth, just like when I bought it.

• 

  No Fun. - 2009 Toyota Camry
  By fbanksw - May 24 - 10:30 am

  I loved my 93 Camry, but sold it and bought a Nissan Altima - huge mistake. Nothing but woes, but when my son started college instead of trading it (and losing money). I gave it to him and happily went out to get myself the 2009 Camry. Its been a big disappointment. The transmission seems to constantly self adjust on even the slightest of hills and its so annoying, how it seems to struggle to accelerate. Its totally a drag, especially when the AC is on and this has taken all the fun out of driving my new car.

• 

  93k and counting - 2008 Toyota Highlander
  By north1 - May 24 - 8:40 am

  Bought my HL base V6 AWD model w/36k miles and now have 93k. Has proven very reliable and well built. Had the oil-line replaced under one of Toyotas TSBs and also the power window switch replaced as a result of a recall. For the size of the vehicle the mileage is outstanding and I get around 23-25 based on which highway I am driving (55 or 65 mph). I drive for a living (sales) so this is my work car and I have owned lots of different cars over the years. Utility, size, mpg are hard to beat. One thing that should bear consideration is driver height. I am 63 and have found that the seat length isnt long enough for us big guys...nissan/infiniti, honda/acura make better seats.

• 

  Best Car Youll Ever Own - 2003 Toyota Camry
  By DP - May 24 - 7:23 am

  I researched the Camry and similar models (Accord, etc) thoroughly before purchasing my XLE two years ago and have been extremely satisfied with my purchase. The car is stylish and extremely reliable, has retained excellent resale value and has many attractive features. Its an excellent value, although I probably wouldnt buy another car at any price point.

• 

  Very Disappointed in Responsiveness - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By CmryOwner - May 24 - 3:33 am

  Ive had this car for a year - bought it for the low emissions, safety, and good mileage rating - and Im considering trading it in. There are two things I cant stand about it: throttle hesitation, and poor gas mileage. Rated for 34 on the highway, Ive never gotten more than 28. My previous BMW 3 series got better mileage, and believe me it was more fun to drive.