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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  Great car! What Fun! - 2002 Toyota MR2 Spyder
  By Carol G - October 27 - 12:20 pm

  I have had my MR2 for almost 4 years and have loved every minute of it! There are always looks to see what Im driving. If you love lots of attention, you must drive this car!

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  Dont even think about it - just BUY IT! - 2005 Toyota 4Runner
  By Brent - October 27 - 12:13 pm

  I bought my first Toyota (a Tacoma Double-Cab) two years ago. Other than routine maintenance, i never experienced a single problem. Had only bought GM vehicles previously. What a difference. plus, my Tacoma held its resale value better than anything I have ever owned. As for the 4-Runner, I have the base model with 4-Wheel drive, a Sunroof, 17" Wheels and a Rear Spoiler. Those were the options most important to me. I absolutely LOVE this vehicle. As others have said, the smoothness of the ride and the quiet interior will remind you of a big luxery auto. The steering is controlled but incredibly tight. Braking, handling, and basically every function is precise. Go get one - any trim level!

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  Top Cat - 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser
  By master mech. - October 27 - 5:00 am

  Quiet ride,excellent v6 engine,fit and finish a perfect 10, washable interior and comfortable seating. Add this up and you have a Top Cat on the block.

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  Impressed by this car - 2007 Toyota Yaris
  By Mark S. - October 27 - 3:20 am

  Was traveling cross country when my 1984 Cressida broke down. Wanted a base Corolla but the dealer was out of them. Test drove the Yaris and thought it would suffice. My first fill up and I was amazed at the 42 mpg. I have been getting 42 mpg consistently rain or shine. At 4500 miles it isnt even broken in, so I expect 44 mpg or so once it is broken in. It is peppy, handles well and looks awesome from the front. Great slope on wind shield.

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  Style & Comfort - 2004 Toyota Tundra
  By joemuzz - October 26 - 8:13 pm

  I loved it when I first saw it, and it went uphill from there! The optional leather captains chairs give great support and plenty of comfort. The numerous cup holders, pockets, and console storage bins and underseat tool storage areas are very convenient. The only down side is less than expected fuel economy. GREAT TRUCK!

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  Safety issue-very bad blind spots - 2003 Toyota Camry Solara
  By jeb - October 26 - 12:23 pm

  I love the car but do not drive it as much as I would like because of the safety issue. Extremely bad blind spots in trying to see what is behind you because of tall rear head seat supports and because of view from narrow rear window.

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  Love It! - 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser
  By Terry - October 26 - 10:16 am

  My black FJ has been a real head turner. I am constantly being stopped and asked about how I like it and its fun to watch people crane their necks to get a better look as I drive by. Surprisingly smooth ride for an off- road vehicle. It has the tight, sturdy build that you expect from a Toyota. Lots of power, it passes with ease. Front seats feel very roomy, though the back seats are a bit short on leg room. There are only two small rear passenger windows which do not open, giving it a tank-like feel back there. But who cares, Im driving. All told, a fabulous package of quality, style and versatility at a great price. Toyotas hit a home run with this one.

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  Tradition Continues! - 2005 Toyota 4Runner
  By SANMAN - October 26 - 3:43 am

  I decided to buy my second 4-runner after test driving everything else on the market. After 4 years and 177K miles on my 2001, my decision was a no brainer. Toyota Reliability, build quality, and low maintanence made my decision to stay with Toyota easy. My Criteria for a new 4 runner came down to the following. Better ride, Leather interior, more power, a bigger gas tank, and a quiet interior. The 4 runner met all of thse requirements, plus bang for the buck, you would be hard pressed to find a better SUV.

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  Excellent Car!!!! - 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By carol26 - October 25 - 7:36 pm

  Our experience with this car has been nothing but positive. We are military so we drive from Florida to Texas once a year(about 1,000 miles). On our trips(weve gone twice so far), we average about 40 MPG. Once we even got 42 MPG!!! The cabin is very quiet and I can actually speak in my normal voice! I love the bluetooth feature. Since we live on a military base, driving while on the phone is illegal and can cause us major trouble. I love how quiet it is at stop lights. I can hear myself think!! This car is reliable, and beautiful inside and out. I also love the 6 cd changer and the separate temperature control. We couldnt have made a better decision !

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  2009 Corolla XLE - 2009 Toyota Corolla
  By jilliew - October 25 - 5:00 pm

  I love this new body style on the Corollas. I decided to get this over the Prius at the last minute and saved a ton of money and Im not one bit sorry. The ride in this car is very smooth and handles the road well. I feel safe with all the great safety features it comes with, and the 10 airbags protect everyone thats in the car. Gas mileage is wonderful. Im averaging 38 mpg. The car has a long list of standard features and they are all good. All told, its a GREAT value for the money. Im a first time Toyota owner and Im very very pleased with this car. Its a keeper for sure.