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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  Best Large Luxury Sedan Ever! - 2008 Toyota Avalon
  By TSmith - December 31 - 10:56 am

  Ive previously owned a Camry and recently traded my Solara for the 2008 Avalon. I have no complaints. I am a tall women and theres plenty of leg/head room, 3 avg sized adults fit comfortably in the back seat, tons of trunk space, and good price. Horsepower and handling are great. I can zoom uphill, through traffic and curves with ease. Avalon luxury is, at its best, highly comparable to Lexus without the price tag. Its a smooth, quiet, spacious ride - especially when you have a long commute to work everyday. Best car purchase Ive made to date. The exterior design is beautiful. I am constantly being approached with compliments. I would recommend the Avalon to all.

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  Simply The Best! - 1998 Toyota Avalon
  By Brian - December 31 - 10:00 am

  This road warrior has been in my family since new. My father put the first 150,000 miles on the car without any needed repairs except routine wear and tear parts (i.e. Brakes, tires, battery, oil). Now the odometer reads 250,000 miles and I just had the original timing belt and water pump replaced because it was LONG overdue. In the 12 years and 250,000 my family has put on our Avalon (a.k.a "Road Warrior") it has never, not even one time, left us stranded or failed to start, not once!! With the long history that I have with my Avalon I feel more than qualified to speak on the behalf of my car, and I fully endorse this car without reservation! If you have the opportunity to buy one, do!

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  Solid, reliable, well built SUV - 2000 Toyota 4Runner
  By Dominic - December 31 - 10:00 am

  Bought my 00 Limited 4x4 Runner with 111,000 miles. Everyone said "why would you buy a car with that many miles?" blah blah blah, I knew better. Ive had it for 4 years now, has 171,000 miles and runs like new, havent had a single repair. Ive done routine maintenance - oil changes, a tuneup (plugs, wires, fuel filter) and new front brakes. ZERO repairs, it always starts, cold does not bother it. When I need to go off-road or in the snow its an animal, and with the rear locker that Jeep people wish they had, its basically unstoppable.

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  after 18 months - 2009 Toyota Yaris
  By harshad - December 31 - 10:00 am

  After 18 months and 23,000 miles its been a smooth sailing so far. I get 36- 38 mpg in spring through fall and 35 in winter. all the cup holders and bins are plus. automatic transmission is slow but adequate for commute. hope its reliability is as good as my other toyotas.

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  Best ever! - 2007 Toyota Tundra
  By kevin - December 31 - 10:00 am

  This truck is off the charts. Power, Power, Power and looks! What more is there in life? I purchased the truck and never saw it, my wife and kids drove it all the time.They are fighting about who is going to get it when I buy a newer one. Oh, when I show guys how the tailgate slowly falls down, they just stand there and say, "Mine (Ford, GMC, Chevy and Ford) does not do that, Cool"

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  Great Car - 2011 Toyota Camry
  By Lori - December 31 - 10:00 am

  This is a fun car to drive. It is quiet and comfortable even for my Dad who is 6 foot. I like the dash controls and especially the area that hides all of the Ipod cords. The stereo is great. It looks nice and I have had a lot of compliments on it with people thinking it is a European car? It has gotten 32 mpg on combined driving which is great. Wish I had gone for the leather seats.

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  idk - 2005 Toyota Sienna
  By yeaok - December 30 - 11:16 pm

  we have a toyota siena xle limited.

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  Limited edition - 2005 Toyota Avalon
  By mjh - December 30 - 6:06 pm

  My third Avalon - love it! Better than all the rest. Great trunk space and the back seat can seat the anyone with long legs.

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  Fun to Drive but somehow lacking - 2007 Toyota Tundra
  By Tundra_Girl - December 30 - 2:40 pm

  I love this truck. I bought this truck in April and I drive it to work and trips and where ever I like to go. I love the look of the truck, I love driving the truck and I definitely feel safe in it, and confident that it wont break down. The interior however is so blahzo. I initially wanted a Ford F150, but the one I wanted with similar options was almost five thousand dollars more than the Toyota. The interior in the Ford felt more solid. I wish I would have gotten navigation and a moon roof. Other than that I would recommend this truck to anyone.

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  Great, reliable car with only 66750 miles. - 2001 Toyota Camry
  By jean shepherd - December 30 - 5:15 am

  Original owner of this great auto. Always serviced. Always garaged. Has new AAA battery. Full leather seats in interior. Always reliable ; just time for a new car for me! Upkeep has been very inexpensive. Somewhat reluctant to part with this good car but time to look for a new Camry for the next fifteen years!