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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  Interior at night like air raid drill during WWII - 2016 Toyota Camry
  By Len - February 17 - 12:22 pm

  Getting in and out of my recently leased 2016 Camry LE at night, interior completely in dark. There are NO interior lights that turn on to let you see. In my 2013 Camry LE, lights on overhead came on, not on the 2016. Also, Toyota decided to do away with the vanity lights on the visors - its not that they dont work, they just arent there. Very disappointed. Suggestion to owners/lessees of 2016 Camry LE - Always carry a flashlight. Since writing the above, I contacted the dealer and they told me to check the "dome light". There are three switch positions - 1-always on 2-always off 3-on when doors open or remote pushed to unlock doors. Works fine. I told dealer they should be sure that switch is not in the always off position when they deliver a new car. Would have saved me a lot of time and aggravation. I did read the manual on this subject but its clarity left a lot to be desired. Still upset with no vanity lights on the visor.

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  Road Warriors Best Friend - 2010 Toyota Sienna
  By napamatt - February 16 - 10:13 pm

  Im a manufacturer rep of engine management and fuel delivery systems for NAPA Auto Parts. I easily travel 40,000 miles annually and drive a 2010 Sienna. It currently has 115,000 miles on it and its one of the most bullet proof vehicles Ive ever had. At well over 100,000 miles Ive kept up on the maintenance which has been almost nothing and its still going strong. To date the only maintenance the van has required has been oil changes, a few sets of tires, and a couple of brake jobs. Ive also flushed the power steering and transmission. It just doesnt really need a lot of maintenance and continues to run strong. The spark plugs are original and still look amazing.

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  My 97 blk,blk,blk Celica GT Convertible - 1997 Toyota Celica
  By alan swiatek - February 16 - 9:13 pm

  I purchased it last fall and have had a lot of fun with it. It handles great, you can speed up into turns and has great pep. My wife and I go for a ride, we crank up the stereo and feel like were 18 again. I have always liked the styling on this model. It is very sporty yet we can put more than a tooth brush in the trunk. The car is very clean and only has 73 k miles

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  LOVIN IT SO FAR... - 2011 Toyota Camry
  By jdt1975 - February 16 - 7:33 pm

  I have only owned the car for one week. I do not have any complaints so far about the car itself just a little buyers remorse regarding the price I paid. Though I can only blame myself for not doing my research before going out car shopping. The car is quite zippy, lots of torque and horsepower. I bought the SE with the VIP package, paid $26,950.

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  Keeps on ticking - 1997 Toyota 4Runner
  By VDA - February 16 - 7:16 am

  I have been the owner for this car for the past 12 years and have spent less than $1000.00 total in repairs (excluding routine tune-ups, tires and oil changes). This car is amazing, never breaks down. It has 140K miles and is still going strong. Great investment. Very comfortable ride.

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  crashed and occupants survived - 1996 Toyota Corolla
  By gabrielgeo - February 16 - 2:00 am

  This was a solid car-was totalled and the occupant had no injuries after hitting large landscape rocks at 80mph.Am buying a newer one now-the 96 model is more solid.

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  First Toyota - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By aadams3119 - February 15 - 5:16 am

  The 2007 Toyota Camry was the first car we looked at when we were car shopping. I wrecked my 1996 Honda Accord, and had assumed we would buy another Honda. However, when we drove the Camry we were impressed with its looks and the comfort of the ride.

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  I love my 2007 GEN2 Prius - 2007 Toyota Prius
  By griffycprius - February 15 - 1:30 am

  I love my 2007 GEN2 Prius. It is an amazing car for what it is. It is now a luxury car, it is not sexy, it does not pick up chicks. However it does cost nothing to drive and is a great car. I use it for surfing, biking, etc and love it. The one main issue is the drivers seat legroom. I am 65 and it didnt work.

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  2004_TACO - 2004 Toyota Tacoma
  By Jim_Bowman - February 14 - 10:00 am

  Great Vehicle, Looked at other trucks and the tacoma was the best by far.

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  Solara Convertible - 2005 Toyota Camry Solara
  By Richard - February 13 - 12:50 pm

  A very solid feeling car to drive and appears to be very sure footed on the road. Probably due to the 15 inch tires. V6 has good power but starting is not consistent. The car will start and then stop if you do not keep turning the key until the car starts. We are very unhappy about this and especially since the dealership has said that this is because of fuel injection. We have had many cars with fuel injection and not had this problem. Also disappointed in the shifting of the transmission. When turning corners you have what the dealership calls wire lag because the transmission is controlled by a computer. This causes the car to surge. Again no current fix according to the dealer.