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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  Cheap, Reliable, and Efficient - 2000 Toyota Corolla
  By SK - December 2 - 11:53 am

  Not having a lot of money and needing a reliable and efficient car, I bought the most basic Corolla. I doubt I could have gotten more value for my money from another new car. The car has 57500 miles now, and the only problem I had was burnt-out check engine indicator (promptly fixed by the dealer under the manufacturers warranty). The car handles very well, has very good angles (I can make a U-turn almost anywhere), and can fit into almost any parking spot. It has a decent acceleration (w/ manual transmission) and is comfortable at freeway speeds (passable even at 85-90 mph if needed). It gives me a great gas mileage -- upto 40mpg on the freeway and 27-33 in the city.

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  Great vehicle! - 2010 Toyota Highlander
  By Gene - December 2 - 8:53 am

  Purchased in Nov 2009, use primarily on long trips, although some around town avg gas mileage in low 20s mixed driving, on highway gotten as high as 27 mpg with the V6 AWD, doing 65 to 70. Very satisfied with that. Comfortable, roomy, love the heated seats, have to be a computer science major to work the nav system and other elect stuff. Great car so far. No problems re recall issues.

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  State of the Art - 2006 Toyota Prius
  By Madison - December 2 - 7:30 am

  We love our Prius. Weve had it for a week now. Favorite features include Voice activated system, such as simply saying "radio on" and "Shopping Malls" with the DVD navigation is very easy to use. Very roomy, great gas mileage (47 MPG avg after 1 week) and fun to drive. The backup camera is great and the smart key makes getting in and out easy. No complaints here. Great purchase and would suggest that you buy one if youre thinking of it.

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  LOVE IT - 2005 Toyota Sienna
  By Lass - December 2 - 7:30 am

  I love my Sienna. I had an Express and thought I couldnt go smaller, but I did. It has everything I needed. We have 5 grandchildren and three in the family. We needed eight seats. It has plenty of storage and handles very well. Weve only had it a week, but I am very very pleased.

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  Family Sequoia - 2003 Toyota Sequoia
  By ack4us - December 2 - 2:00 am

  Just traded an 01 Grand Cherokee Ltd after having baby#2. The Grand Cherokee is all things bad about American built cars. Bought an SR5 with every option available except heated seats. Had those doen after market along with Spoiler and DVD system and still paid thousands less than an equivalent Limited. Quite frankly, the two tone Natural White/Silver is a better looking vehicle than the Limited. And our friends have remarked how much nicer looking it is that our relatives 2002 Landcruiser!! After the Grand Cherokee and a 1998 EB Expedition, this is a keeper. You will have a difficult time finding another SUV as loaded as this for the money!!

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  The Little Car That Could... - 2003 Toyota Celica
  By pipkinra - December 2 - 2:00 am

  Wasnt looking for a new car but my current Toyota SUV was almost paid off and was getting nervous about having all that extra money,so stoped at the Toyota Dealer and as you walked in there was a Dark Blue Celica. Love at first sight.Test drove the Acura RSX but didnt care for the interior materials or the instrument cluster. Considered the Hyundai but worried about the resale value. Thought about the Mazda6 but wanted to get away from the sedan look and wanted something under 20,000. Test drove it and loved everything about it. Got the Update package which has everything you could want in a sports car. Although have to admit I liked that Mazda6.

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  I think the front struts need a recall - 1999 Toyota Camry Solara
  By Frank Gonzalez - December 2 - 2:00 am

  Everything has been great with this car except for the front struts that I have had to bring in to be serviced. That cost over $300. It is obviously a common problem and should be recalled and fixed by Toyota at no cost to the car owners.

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  Big Little Car - 2003 Toyota Matrix
  By bthoop - December 2 - 2:00 am

  I cant believe some wrote that this vehicle is slow. I bought the AWD since I live where it snows I was a little put back that I lost 7 hp off the 130 or so HP, but Im on a road trip and had to push the vehicle around semis, I was doing 80 I dropped it out of over drive and hit 100 plus in seconds the top end of this vehicle was very impressive, I will put this up against my V8 hemi at high the end any day. Impressive for a 4 banger..... Im 64" and have basketball buddies who fit comfortably as well....

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  First Toyota - 2003 Toyota 4Runner
  By DaveKP - December 2 - 2:00 am

  Used to be a Honday fan. I never liked the looks of the 4Runners in the past, but the way Toyota has redesigned this SUV is top-notch! I was looking for for a quality, yet affordable mid-size SUV and the new 4Runner is it. Suggestion: unless you absolutly have to have a sunroof, heated seats, adjustable suspension, and few more unneeded options, OPT for the SR5 V8 4X2 OR 4X4. Youll get a great SUV and save $8000.

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  more comfort please - 2003 Toyota Corolla
  By more comfort please - December 2 - 2:00 am

  the car feels like a tank...thats how solid it is. only problem with this car is the driver comfort (which is a big concern). i am average height (510"), and there needs to be more leg room under the dash. the seat is all the way back, and i still feel like i need about 5 more inches. that creates another problem, because when you push the seat back all the way, you are now too far away from the steering wheel. this car needs a telescoping wheel, but considering how far the tilt wheel travels (about 2 inches... why bother), the telescope would probably move the same distance, and you would be charged another $200 for the option.