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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  Economy Disappointment - 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
  By Joey Picard - December 19 - 2:10 am

  Toyota makes a great product. However, after a couple of weeks of ownership I am disappointed with the fuel economy. I find myself trying to improve the mileage by driving much slower and watching the consumption screen. However I would have to be traveling down Mt. Everest both ways to increase the mileage over 25 mpg. Living in the South Louisiana I have even gone without AC to see if I can get even close to the estimated 31 mpg.

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  Greatness!! - 2007 Toyota Yaris
  By pyscez2 - December 18 - 5:53 pm

  Being the island girl that I am, I wanted to get me a car that was fun to drive all over the island and would not use a whole tank of gas. The Yaris has been nothing but good to me. Shes a beauty and she runs like a champ. In fact, I tricked my Yaris out and Im always getting compliments about her. Its just a fun reliable car.

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  Excellent Vehicle - 2007 Toyota 4Runner
  By enkaycar - December 18 - 3:33 pm

  I bought the 4Runner after looking at a LOT of other vehicles and the 4Runner was the best choice. Nothing beats Toyotas build quality and that can be seen with the 4Runner. You still see 84 4Runners on the road! Ride quality is excellent and the drive is smooth. Interior design is great too.

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  Roomy Toyota Sedan - 1999 Toyota Avalon
  By BigGuy - December 18 - 7:20 am

  Im 67", needed lots of head and leg room, and got it the Avalon. It has all the get up and go I ever needed. Now that its broken in at 140,000 miles, it gets 30 mpg on the highway; what a nice surprise. Maintenance costs have been half of our other vehicle, a 2003 Chrysler T&C.

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  2016 Toyota highlander LP AWD - 2016 Toyota Highlander
  By PB - December 17 - 11:29 pm

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  Great car - 2007 Toyota RAV4
  By Mike - December 17 - 5:50 pm

  Bought Base V6 AWD on 11/4/06. Driving every day on Route 17 (who lives in NJ knows what does it mean) - pretty much city driving. Today filled 1st time. Exactly 21 mph - first time see the same number as on sticker (usually EPA number is 20-25% better then reality). Great ride, acceleration, suspension, standard radio sound quality and reception. Not much blind zones. All controls are so easy you dont need to read a manual. Seats are very supportive. Turning circle is excellent.

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  Super Sporty - 2018 Toyota C-HR
  By Sober Boss - December 17 - 3:39 pm

  I owned a Subaru Legacy and had thought to buy another when the time came to purchase. I was blown away the first time I saw this in a parking lot. I love that it looks like a 2 door. Felt like it would be above my price and was happy to find it affordable for a beautiful new car. I test drove it and then walked away for a week. Went and drove a Subaru Crosstrek, Nissan Rogue Sport and Mazda 3 then went back to the CHR. I smiled and laughed the whole time I was driving this car. So much more fun then the others. Handles great, speedy and sporty. I have had so many comments that it looks like a car from the future or a spaceship. I love that, couldnt stand the thought of a boring sedan. I took a risk and went for the red, I had the windows tinted and it looks hot! No worries about it being a new model since it is a Toyota. Dealership was wonderful and made the sale a pleasure. Hope to have it for a long time. The only down side is the small back windows do create more of a blindspot than I am used to and if I had children in the back seat I dont think they would be able to see out. But since I dont have kids it is not an issue for me.

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  Great car - 2006 Toyota Camry Solara
  By Elly - December 17 - 10:23 am

  Hard to find this car but well worth the wait and search. Smooth handling, comfortable, excellent fuel economy, super sound system. I have always liked the Solara but this body style was well worth the wait. The dual transmission is fun and keeps you in touch with manual driving as well as giving you the laid back ability to switch back to automatic and cruise control. Convertible roof is easy to use and the car looks good with it up or down.

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  Echo Hatchback Imported from Canada - 2004 Toyota Echo
  By Locke - December 17 - 10:00 am

  We purchased our Echo 5 door hatchback from a dealer in Canada, and imported it to the U.S. Call your nearest Toyota dealer across the border for the "how to do this" details. The warranty is valid in the U.S. The Hatchback is NOT a Scion, and is really not an Echo. It is a European designed car (called the Yaris) that in Europe typically has a smaller engine. For import to Canada they put in the Echo engine. The performance is fabulous. 40MPG all the time in mixed driving. Seats 4 adults in comfort. Its 2 inches longer than a Mini, and has plenty of room in the trunk for carry-on suitcases or grocery bags. Seats fold down for bigger things.

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  Toyota 97 4x2 5speed 2.4L Extra cab LX - 1997 Toyota Tacoma
  By 97toyo - December 17 - 10:00 am

  Very reliable vehicle. Has never failed to start since 1997. Routine maintenance has been performed regularly. With 110000 miles it is just starting to use about a quart of oil between oil changes. The gas mileage is 30 miles per gallon consistently. Check engine light came on at 100000, dealer said it was the catalytic converter. One pint of "Sea Foam" gas treatment in half tank of gas and the light went off and stayed off. A very good truck overall. Small and sporty, easy to park, good power from the small four since the truck is light weight.