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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  GOOD TRUCK - 2003 Toyota Tacoma
  By RICK K - August 15 - 10:00 am

  8 MONTHS AND 4500 MILES LATER, THE TRUCK IS PERFORMING FLAWLESSLY, GETTING 19 CITY & 21 HIGHWAY MPG. GOOD POWER, ONLY DISAPPOINTMENT IS THE TRACTION IN SNOW OR GRAVEL, EVEN WITH THE LIMITED SLIP DIFFERENTIAL. TOWS MY BOAT EFFORTLESSLY.

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  Questionable - 2005 Toyota Avalon
  By kydna - August 15 - 5:46 am

  Car has had no major problems. Time is showing quality issues. Paint chips very easy. Interior headliner needs replaced. Radio door cover opens 40% of the time. Control panel door for nav. falling off! With just over 30,000 miles not the quality I would expect from Toyota! I will return to MB!

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  Top Pick - 2006 Toyota RAV4
  By Rav - August 15 - 4:33 am

  This is the best compact SUV on the market; I have read a couple of reviews that complain about the ride and noise. You want a car get a car, you want a great SUV get a RAV4. Apples to apples this is the best all round SUV on the market, and YES it does ride rougher than a Camry, that’s why I like it. Lots of options, great power, excellent gas mileage, wish it came in a manual transmission. Some of the plastics inside can scar a little easily. Look at the others and you come back, they may be a little cheaper however, with Toyotas resale this car will cost you much less.

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  2005 Matrix - 2005 Toyota Matrix
  By Carol - August 14 - 7:43 pm

  I like the car but was terribly disappointed with the gas mileage, I only get 26 mpg around town and very little more on the Hwy. I have a 1984 Mazda GLC that gets better mileage around town. Also I hit the edge of a patch of black top which had been removed to replace (approx 2") and the car jumped all over the road. Scary! I had hoped to save a lot more on gas and to feel pretty safe, for a small car--I dont. I make many trips to No. California and am back to driving my 4- Runner as the 4 miles a gallon I save is not worth the loss of space and security. And kill the seatbelt warning which goes off every time I have my small dog in the car or a briefcase. well, I wish I had something else

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  Under Powered - 2002 Toyota Tundra
  By joel7 - August 14 - 5:30 pm

  Underpowered for hauling and towing.

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  Good Car - 2003 Toyota Corolla
  By George Mcfly - August 14 - 7:40 am

  Good commuter car, holds 4 people with not trouble.

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  2013 TOY ota - 2013 Toyota Camry
  By Bob Parke - August 13 - 11:10 pm

  Great car. Low mileage. Been like an old family friend, dependable, trustworthy, always there when needed. Low annual maintenance and great gas mileage both city and highway. Looks almost as good as the day we brought her home.

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  One of the best suvs ever! - 2004 Toyota Sequoia
  By dk - August 13 - 9:16 pm

  Very dependable, comfortable, loaded with style and performance. Definitely worth spending the $40,000 plus for the Limited edition. The leather is very comfortable epecially with the heated seats. Great family vehicle.

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  Favorite vehicle ever! - 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser
  By Big G - August 13 - 2:06 pm

  The looks were the first thing that drew me to the vehicle, then I read about the performance, then I drove it and compared it to a Wrangler unlimited. Even though the roof came off the Wrangler and the appeal of a convertible was high, I drive at least 20K a year and have family trips of 2,000+ miles...the Wrangler was like a stagecoach. I just got new tires after 45K and I feel like I can go ANYWHERE. The confidence I have in the FJ will someday get me buried, but it hasnt happened yet. I actually pulled an Esacalade out of the ditch the other day and the owner was simply flabbergasted at the capability. Lots of comments, some snide, mostly in admiration. So what on the blind spots...

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  Try it...Youll like it! - 2004 Toyota Tundra
  By DickGJ - August 13 - 1:03 pm

  Very nice ride, smooth and quiet.