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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  new car - 2016 Toyota Corolla
  By Karl Minich - December 8 - 10:14 pm

  so far so good dont even have a thousand miles on it yet so time will tell ..

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  I love this car! - 2000 Toyota Echo
  By Rachel - December 8 - 7:23 pm

  I love my Echo. It has been a great car. I havent had any problems with it even after I hit a deer! I always recommend this car.

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  Best Car Ever! - 2007 Toyota Yaris
  By kilasumowrestler - December 8 - 6:03 pm

  Great first new car. Gas and insurance friendly.

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  1000 miles with my sequoia - 2003 Toyota Sequoia
  By ekunst - December 8 - 2:00 am

  The first SUV I have owned and I love it.Never considered any American models,still cant compete with Japanese engineering, quality etc.My choices were the MDX and the Sequoia,they offered the most hip,shoulder and legroom.Ruled out the MDX due to the lack of vehicles to look at,slim color choices and turned off to paying full MSRP sticker.The Sequoia offered more vehicle for the money.My purchase was 4k under MSRP.The Sequoia had a superior ride quality,better seats,interior/exterior design and superior color choices.The engine is the smoothest V8 I have ever owned and quiet.Fuel economy is exceptable at 17mpg.I have had no problems and no regrets.

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  True SUV - 2002 Toyota 4Runner
  By Calhoun - December 8 - 2:00 am

  Great SUV. Zero problems and excellent usability.

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  Definitely Fun to Drive! - 2003 Toyota MR2 Spyder
  By vig2334 - December 8 - 2:00 am

  I have only owned this vehicle for less than a week, and already Im in love. The handling is awesome and the styling is great. The engine could be a little stronger, but a blower will fix that.

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  18 month review - 2002 Toyota Highlander
  By Jimmy V - December 8 - 2:00 am

  Overall, one of best, if not the best,new vehicles Ive ever purchased (7 previous). The ride and quietness are top notch. recently, my wife & I transported her elderly aunt & uncle in the Highlander. They were truly impressed, and these are pretty selective individuals, as they have always had luxury vehicles. Her uncle couldnt get over the quiet, car like quality & comfort. I have, so far, (knock on wood) had no mechanical problems whatsoever. Ive had only changed oil and rotated tires. p.s. it has also performed excellent during the early winter weve been getting in upstate NY.

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  WONDERFUL! - 2003 Toyota Corolla
  By em - December 8 - 2:00 am

  I would have to say the carolla has come a long way! I was soo impressed by the look and feel of this car that I was sold almost immediately. The power of this 4-cylinder especially impressed me. Coming from a V6 on a 1994 car, I was a little worried that a 4-cylinder would drag. Not so, this little car packs a punch. I would recommend the sporty beauty to anyone looking for a reliable car with a glamorous look.

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  Camry - 2003 Toyota Camry
  By Chuck111 - December 8 - 2:00 am

  Super car! No trouble, great turning radius, very responsive, great acceleration, quiet.

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  Love this car! - 2005 Toyota Prius
  By Charles Murphy - December 7 - 7:36 pm

  I traded my Toyota 4Runner for a Prius. Average gas mileage went from 18 on the 4Runner to 47 on the Prius. Cruising at a steady 65 MPH, it gets 58 MPG. The Prius also rides smoother and quieter, and is a lot more fun to drive. Despite being a lot smaller on the outside, the Prius has more headroom and more comfortable seating. But ignoring comparisons to a big, loaded SUV, the bottom line line is that the Prius is a really good car. Given the exterior dimensions, it has a surprising amount of space on the inside. I made a short trip with 5 guys. Four of us were six feet or over, and two were over 220 pounds. To our surprise, we all fit with no major discomfort. Its just a great car.