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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  Cute and Sporty - 2007 Toyota RAV4
  By Janet - January 20 - 4:20 pm

  I test drove the Honda CR-V, Subaru Forester, Subaru Outback, Saturn Vue, and the Hyundai Tucson. I decided on the RAV because of Toyota reliability and the fact that its so cute! I have the light blue metallic. Sharp! I am coming from driving a Ford Explorer for 10 years, and loved it. It had all the bells and whistles, but fuel economy prevailed and I finally traded it in with 125,000 miles on it. The RAV is fun to drive and my big teenage boys say the back seat is roomier and more comfy than the Explorer. Love the MP3 hookup and the rear door doesnt bother me. I really wish the driver seat had more adjustment features. We are getting about 23 mpg. Not bad. Have to break it in more.

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  Perfect! - 2010 Toyota 4Runner
  By R.B. - January 19 - 11:46 am

  Toyota is the only make that I will ever buy. The SUV runs great, smooth, quiet and has so many niceties that it makes driving an enjoyable experience. The body of the 4Runner is bold and modern and the internal configuration is very user friendly.

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  06 Tundra Crew - 2006 Toyota Tundra
  By apcamby - January 19 - 11:43 am

  Awesome truck, good power, great ride, very comfortable, useful features, I would recommend this truck to anyone in the large truck market.

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  I LOVE MY CAR - 2004 Toyota Corolla
  By kdbmorgan - January 19 - 7:30 am

  I love this little car! I bought it because I drive 60 miles one way to work and needed something with good gas mileage, and ended up liking everything about the car. I actually get about 38 mpg city/hwy, but mostly highway miles which is wonderful with the cost of gas now. Great car for the price so far.

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  2005 Is Refined above 04,03,02 - 2005 Toyota Camry
  By Dealer - January 19 - 4:36 am

  I have owned a 05,04, and 02 Camry LE 4cycl. I am a Honda Accord fan, owned may Accords , some to 220k mi, so am not being bias to the Camry. But Toyota ha s built a great car! The 05 ha s anti lock breaks and the sponginess of the front breaks have been tweaked in 05, this is a common compliant from myself, friends and other reviewers. Yet in 05 they have tuned up the suspension to compensate for the soft rid e to the braking. My favorite car to date is a 1997 Lexus Es 300, I must say that the 05 Camry has many similarities, soaks up bumps, rattle free and decent real world handling between soft ride and decent handling. This car is GREAT on mileage , 22-24 city 30-38 hwy

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  Great little SUV - 2003 Toyota RAV4
  By SA174 - January 19 - 2:00 am

  So far it has been a great little SUV. Some have said the finish was not as good as other toyotas? We find it comparable to our Sequoia which is excellent.

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  great car - 2003 Toyota Highlander
  By jons highlander 2wd - January 19 - 2:00 am

  This truck car SUV van whatever you wanna call it is great!! u gotta watch your speed the powerful enginw will get you to 90 in a matter of seconds on the highway it has a great design and everything in it is so great. Handling i so superb it is just so powerful even though its only 2WD i like the ect snow button thats starts it out in 2nd gear in the snow.The breaks are very powerful when you hit the brake. Doesn;t have that tippy feeling around turns like my friends blazer does .i like to see whos car is faster i beat my friends explorer and also my bros caprice great vehicle overall for any type of familt that has a little bit of money to spend

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  Oh What a Feeling, Toyota - 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser
  By Jimsque - January 18 - 10:40 pm

  I have owned Broncos, Jeeps and other 4x4s and this one is the very best. Great on the highway, rides better than my wifes Volvo XC90! Great traction in 18" of snow with no slippage. Mine is the Black Cherry and I call it Razlberry, it sure has pizazz!! Toyota has hit a homerun and I am proud to own it, as others only wish they did. Everybody thinks they cost more than they do.

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  2007 Matrix XR - 2007 Toyota Matrix
  By jim g - January 18 - 7:43 pm

  Couldnt be happier with the 2007 Matriz XR. It replaced a mini-van and instantly doubled the mpg, fun-factor, and versatility.

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  Love it - 2005 Toyota Sequoia
  By Lance Blandford - January 18 - 2:53 pm

  I traded in my Land Cruiser for this. Not quite as plush on the inside ($15000 cheaper) but well worth what I paid. Compared this vehicle to many more in its class but had to stay with Toyota. There are none that can match the dependability nor build class.