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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  Awesome Car, even for those over 6 ft - 2005 Toyota Corolla
  By firedawg120982 - January 23 - 10:00 am

  Just purchased my 2005 Corolla S. It is the best car I have ever owned. For the price you just cant beat the quality of it. I am 6 ft 3 in and 210 lbs and I have plenty of legroom and headroom even with the sunroof. I would recomend this car to anyone

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  oil filter - 2005 Toyota Camry
  By gcarey - January 23 - 10:00 am

  oil filter 2005 hard to change

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  05 v8 - 2005 Toyota 4Runner
  By centex - January 23 - 1:23 am

  fit and finish above models costing quite a bit more. Good ride and offers plenty of standard feature as well as desireable safety options available.

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  Love It - 2005 Toyota Highlander
  By tbone1 - January 22 - 11:13 pm

  I sold my Toyota Avalon and purchased the Toyota Highlander. I gave up an extremely great car as I needed a 4 wheel drive vehicle. I have found the Highlander to be a smooth riding, functional vehicle. It drives like my Avalon and turns on a dime! I purchased the Limited Edition and love it. The only thing wrong is when put in gear, the doors do not lock. The Service Department said there is no way to correct this. I was very disappointed as I like this feature. I also miss the date being displayed, but feel I will learn to get over that. Overall, my husband and I love this SUV.

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  Best Car - 2009 Toyota Camry
  By Lance - January 22 - 9:20 pm

  This is my first Toyota I have owned. Since the first time I drove it I was sold. It is so fun to drive, and the power is awsome, the interior is also A++. I will Buy Toyota from now on.

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  Best car I have EVER had! - 2006 Toyota Camry Solara
  By Greg - January 22 - 4:43 pm

  I have 2500 miles on my new Solara and it is a dream to drive. Handles like a luxury car and performs likes a sports car. It is elegant, and has beautiful lines. I especially like the controls on the steering wheel, you never have to take your eyes off of the road.

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  Matrix Rocks - 2003 Toyota Matrix
  By teebone - January 22 - 4:16 pm

  I get lots of looks in this sporty car, and on my first long-distance trip (2400 miles) I got 40 MPG! It corners/handles well, has great brakes, and I was getting scratch in third gear at two years old. Amazing power for fast starts and getaways. I had seven Hondas before getting this Toyota, but I dont think I could go back to Honda. I had to replace the air filter located under the glove compartment, and debated about going to the dealer. However, it was only a few dollars and I was shocked!

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  Excellent truck - 2009 Toyota Tacoma
  By johnpend1 - January 22 - 1:40 pm

  My previous truck was a "plain vanilla" 1993 4-cyl 2-WD Toyota pickup, so this was quite an upgrade. Power windows! AC! Reviews describing as a car on the inside, truck on the outside are accurate. Enough power so far, and the auto tranny seems OK. A great all-around vehicle for driving and light hauling.

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  Nice truck - 2007 Toyota Tacoma
  By tacoman - January 22 - 12:00 pm

  Nice truck, with excellent off road capabilities. This truck will get you and your gear out and back without a problem. It can climb steep inclines, narrow enough to get through the trees, light enough to get over the mud, and a great turning radius for a truck. Ive yet to get this truck stuck in the deserts of Utah or the mountains of Colorado. Its certainly not a luxury vehicle but comfortable and fits well.

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  Echo Is Our Best Car Ever! - 2002 Toyota Echo
  By HARRY jOLLEY - January 22 - 4:53 am

  We bought our 2002 Echo new at the end of 2001. It has driven us to New Jersey, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Rhode Island, Connecticut and more. This car has never, ever let us down. It plows through deep snow like its a big car, it drives well in the rain, and withstands wind. On the interior, all those little cubbyholes keep the little car clear of clutter and the extra height is nice for the view on long rides. And, oh yeah, 25-30 highway mpgs even after all these years. We will never, ever, sell this car!