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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  Generally good choice for teenage driver - 2007 Toyota RAV4
  By Parent_of_Teen - August 24 - 5:06 pm

  This review written after 10,000 miles and almost 1 year ownership: We have a 17-year old so the goal was to find a small SUV which offered all modern safety features in a reliable package. Naturally Toyota & Honda were the top 2 choices and Honda had not yet come out with the new CRV in Feb 2006. We chose the 4-cylinder to avoid overpowering the car and are happy with it. Also avoided the optional 3rd seat to limit temptation to carry too many passengers. Visibility is good for the driver, the mileage is genuinely 26 mpg on highway at 65, and overall a year later still seems like best choice at time, but now that Honda has released new CRV I would recommend testing that as well.

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  Tremendous Vehicle - 2004 Toyota Tacoma
  By dennis_rhodes - August 24 - 10:09 am

  My dad bought me a brand new 2004 Toyota Tacoma regular cab extended cab when i graduated high school, that was now 9 years ago and this thing is still running, i have 335078 miles on it and it still feels like it did the day i came home and saw it in the drive way. i have only had to change the oil and rotate the tires, i have had no mechanical or any other problems for that matter. I LOVE THIS TRUCK

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  Excellent as expected - 1996 Toyota 4Runner
  By VivaDnA - August 24 - 10:00 am

  The only room for improvement would be its fuel mileage and limited fuel tank size. Otherwise this has been a fantastic SUV that has done it all from hauling family to towing boats and carrying mountain bikes, or all at the same time. I would trade my 4Runner in for a new one if it would be offered as a hybrid.

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  Bullet Proof Car - 1996 Toyota Camry
  By bechman74 - August 24 - 10:00 am

  We have owned this car since 1998. Bought it with 26K miles and now have 133K in Oct 2004. My wife put it into a ditch 9-11-01 by accident and dented the compressor and radiator...it has been to the shop for this accident ZERO times! I recently ran over a concrete barrier avoiding a crossing SUV...ZERO damage. The sound of the doors closing is still solid as the day we bought it. I had to replace the thermostat at 125K. We had the water pump go out at 40K and it was replaced under warranty. Brakes were replaced around 115K. Great vehicle that is used solely as a daily commuter for a round trip of 40 miles...and still gets ~29mpg!!!

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  A great car for me! - 2005 Toyota Camry Solara
  By clh42980 - August 24 - 10:00 am

  I just brought home my 05 SE Sport Coupe (V6), I have researched so many cars on edmunds.com before making my selection. I am a eclipse gal (had 4), still have a 00 eclipse gt BUT the inside is so very tiny on it. I was looking for something a bit more spacious, even looked at the Lexus is300, but decided to go with the Solara b/c its front wheel drive. This car is still very stylish like my eclipse, but a bit more upscale. I have so much more room! There is a bad blind spot when changing lanes in the 00eclipses, but I can see clearly in the solara! Also, the inside is not cramped. I can have more room (w/the sportronic gearshifter too), with still a 2 door car. Def a good choice for me.

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  toyota 2001 - 2001 Toyota Camry
  By parrotpapa - August 24 - 10:00 am

  great milage plenty of room in side and trunk

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  $$$ Saver !!! - 2005 Toyota Prius
  By Les & Huong - August 24 - 10:00 am

  skepticism was my first feeling but it was won over by the gas saving feature. The voice activation is a bit "clumsy" (ie "AM" vs. "ATM") but we work around it. Constant MPG tells us our economy which is good. Only one some thing I find is the body in which can be improved to look like a car rather than a "Jetsons" car. It is economical for the one wantting to save gas and preserve the world, but for the power hungry driver (as I am), not one to have in your driveway. Thanks Toyota for the car, more money to spend on the wife.

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  better than expected - 2002 Toyota Highlander
  By Easy - August 24 - 10:00 am

  Nice car/truck...it rides smooth,intuitive controls,no squeeks or rattles only wind noise at speeds above 50-mph.Overall the quality is so good I wish I could afford a new limited. I had leather installed after market on the seats ,doors and steering wheel,and added a chrome exhast tip and front tinted windows.The original black paint has held up nicely as well as the factory alloys.This is my 3rd Toyota,I traded in an 03 Corolla LE with 45k miles for the Highlander with no regrets .After years of GM product abuse (98 Intrigue-99 Aurora excluded)I will only buy Toyotas until I can afford the Lexus line of cars and trucks...(ps)The Highlander looks great next to my black 02 Camry SE V6

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  better than expected - 2002 Toyota Camry
  By Easy - August 24 - 10:00 am

  nice car,decent seats,smooth drive train,great on the highway.No complaints with the car so far,I purchased it with 7k on the odometer Ive put 26k on it so far with 2 trips down south.The original bridgestones wore out after 20k miles and were replaced with an all season kelly VR- 225/55 series tire.This made it handle way better although the ride is not as soft as before.The black paint and alloys still looks good,JBL premium system sounds good and over all the car is wearing well.Window tinting and the fat tires give it an agressive stance,it also gets a lot of stares. Someday Ill add leather seats,it also looks great next to my black Highlander. (No more GMs for me)

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  Love this car!!!!! - 2005 Toyota Corolla
  By gdad10 - August 24 - 10:00 am

  Best car Ive ever had and that includes Caddies, Fords of all kinds,Olds and Buick. The only one even close was a 1970s Plymouth Valiant.