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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  Powerfull 4 Cylinder!!!! - 2005 Toyota Tacoma
  By Brad DEnnis - September 1 - 11:06 am

  I have only had this truck a short time but have already put 3000 miles on it and am averaging 24 mpg. with a 4wd. vehicle. The truck just seems to be getting more power and is probably the most powerful 4 cyl. truck I have ever driven!!

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  Issues with 05 prius you should know - 2005 Toyota Prius
  By 2005 prius - September 1 - 2:30 am

  After purchasing my 05 prius with factory navigation and HID headlights, package 6 I believe. Just be aware that all 04 and 05 had the ugly painted door panels and dash, I strongly would avoid these if you can get the 06 and newer. the paint has peeled off on these parts. I went to a prius dismantler and purchased all the door panels and dash parts from a 08 prius to do the swap, so much nicer. The second and biggest issue is the HID headlight bulbs, they just shut off while you use them . The best solution is replace them with aftermarket HID bulbs, do not use the factory Toyota bulbs, they will go out again. Numerous owners have had this issue, ballast is not the problem, its the bulbs.

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  Overhyped mileage - 2004 Toyota Prius
  By corkoffice - August 30 - 5:03 pm

  60 MPG City??? NEVER. In real life I get 38-42 City and 45-50 Highway. Its time to get honest about Prius mileage. Why set up consumers to be disappointed by not getting a fictional 60 mpg?

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  2003 toyota tundra - 2006 Toyota Tundra
  By george painter - August 30 - 2:03 pm

  fun to drive. very reliable. good simple interior design. gas mileage is poor.

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  great SUV - 2003 Toyota Sequoia
  By SBMNC - August 30 - 10:00 am

  After owned 98 Expedition and 99 RX300, this new Squoia provides the best overall SUV we ever drove. Up to this date, I have to drive at least once every day just for fun. One time we had 6 adults and two children with their car seats install on the road for 3 hours. None of the passagers complained about too crowded. They all felt sitting comfortable.

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  Toyota Prius - 2005 Toyota Prius
  By Marie D - August 30 - 9:26 am

  The Prius is a joy to own although I miss the sporty sleekness of my Toyota Celica. It has been a very economical car to own so far - fuel & no repairs.

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  My 4 Runner rules - 2000 Toyota 4Runner
  By mike777 - August 30 - 5:29 am

  I purchased my 4 runner in 06 with 117 K on it , it was a 1 owner trade in with all service receipts ( lots of them) all service performed by the book by Toyota , (main reason I bought it) that and the reviews by owners. It has proven to be the best most reliable vehicle Ive owned to date. I currently have 350K on it with no major or minor problems, I do my own service /maintenence, no breakdowns, everything still works, and I have the LTD with power everything! all I can say is wow, pretty much original everything. runs like a swiss watch. still drives like new and looks close to new. made in Japan with top quality parts, seriously whose alternator lasts 350,00 miles,500K here I come

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  A reliable driving machine, tucked inside a grandmother’s bonnet - 1998 Toyota Camry
  By garnoth - August 29 - 2:44 pm

  This car has been reliable and then some; it got me though college without needing any major work. It just wont die. I was told 3 years ago that the transmission was going and to expect a year out of it. Its still shifting away. Ive wanted to upgrade but nothing sounds better than "paid-off". It has had some engine work done on it but this thing has hit 230k and is still running. The suspension is on this car is terrible for going over any driveway, it bottoms out like nuts. That being said Ive smacked into countless city drive-ways and many bumpy mountain roads and rocks yet never actually had any problems. The bottom of this car might be made from Nokia phones

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  Prius rocks for emf protection - 2009 Toyota Prius
  By Yssa - August 29 - 7:00 am

  We were not crazy about the design (little more room in the trunk please! - and low rear view visibility) BUT if you are concerned about exposing your kiddies in the back seat to high - quite arguably harmful levels -of electromagnetic radiation and you want a hybrid, then Prius is the car for you. We measure very safe levels in all parts of the car - with only slight raise (several seconds) while breaking. We found very unsafe levels in other hybrid cars we tried and thats why we got a Prius. Toyota obviously has taken precautions to minimize a health risk - even one not generally talked about. Wow. How often can you say that about a big company! Way to go Toyota!

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  Nice, but irritating Nav system - 2010 Toyota Venza
  By joyful - August 29 - 12:26 am

  Gas mileage is averaging around 24. I am constantly irritated by the nav system deciding when I can access it. It seems like Toyota is going way overboard is trying to keep me "safe from myself." When *else* am I going to need the Nav functions except when I am driving? Very frustrating! Neither my old ipod classic nor my new mini will work with the system but it is quite fun to drive and very comfortable!