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 - 2001 Toyota Echo
  By snook - July 5 - 10:16 pm

  You wont regret buying this car. It is very powerful when carrying only 1 or 2 passengers. However, too much weight and it starts to get substantially bogged down. The interrior is very nice and Ive grown to like the center console very much. I find the seats to be very comfortable. The wind does blow the car around - especially at high speeds. This car is very light weight and is very fun to drive.

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  2006 solara convertible - 2006 Toyota Camry Solara
  By S. Swift - July 5 - 9:23 am

  This car has the most interior room of any convertible on the road. We are both very tall and we dont look OVER the windshield. It handles like a dream and my gas mileage is great. I am getting 29.9 average city and hiway combo.

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  Fun with 4Runner - 2000 Toyota 4Runner
  By Sunshine Tulsa - July 5 - 4:36 am

  I bought this new and now have about 115000 miles. The ride, the comfort and the reliability have been beyond belief. The only problem was the power antenna that failed at 65,000 miles. Power antenna seems to be Toyotas problem even with Camry and Lexus. The radio still works! I changed the original Goodyear tires at 108000 miles, they still had 3/16th left in them. I changed because it was more than 5 years! The brake pads are still the orignal shoes!!. Mine is a standard shift. I am loving it and hope to drive for another 5 years.

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  Nice SUV for the money, only two changes - 2006 Toyota Highlander
  By Mark - July 5 - 2:43 am

  Very good vehicle for the money. Ride is very comfortable. Fun to drive. 4 cyl. is not lacking in power. Im sure 6 cyl. is more powerful, but I chose better gas mileage. So far getting 25.3 MPG highway using air conditioning. Two things could be better. Front seats are too short. Doesnt support my legs as well as my old Explorer. Otherwise, seats are very comfortable. Steering wheel only tilts a little. Explorer steering wheel tilt had greater range of movement and I liked the lower position. Highlander steering wheel doesnt go low enough for me.

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  This car do the job, but is cheap inside - 2010 Toyota Prius
  By Cheoto - July 4 - 11:13 pm

  This car do the job, no expensive, great fuel economy, good exterior looking and a lot of space. However, keep in mind that inside is all plastic, a lot of death space to cover (sometimes is difficult to see the cars and people around) and the acceleration is poor. The driving is solid and the car is not noisy at all. Overall, the car is only for good economy but the cheap materials (interior) and only four start rating for crash need consideration. The engine and interior are a lot better isolated that the previous years (I have a friend that have the 2006).

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  Loving it - 2010 Toyota Venza
  By Cole - July 4 - 9:16 pm

  We traded our 2002 Avalon in on this car. I am very satisfied with the fit and finish. We love the way it handles and fight over who gets to take it to work. Love the keyless ignition.

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  Not Satisfied - 2008 Toyota Camry
  By Monica - July 4 - 7:50 pm

  This is my first Toyota, and Im not impressed. The car is sluggish, transmission shifts often and has a very noticeable delay. I was also expecting BETTER MPG only get an average of 22.

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  Toyotas for me! - 2007 Toyota Corolla
  By Mike - July 4 - 1:23 pm

  Still own a 1996 Tacoma 4x4 with 308,000 miles and is an excellent truck. Needed better mpg, and since Corolla has been in the Toyota lineup for 40 yrs, I decided that would work for me. I havent been disappointed at all. Low maintenance (doesnt even require auto tranny fluid changes!). No mechanical problems in 40,000 so far.

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  One of the best cars Ive ever owned - 2002 Toyota Highlander
  By D. Quarrell - July 4 - 12:03 pm

  Bought this car new in 02 and have put over 260,000 miles on it and dont regret the purchase ever and would consider buying another 02 Highlander to replace it (with fewer miles, of course, maybe 150,000 if I could afford it). Has never let us down. Vehicles like this justify Toyotas "cant kill em" reputation, not to mention the loyalty of long-term Toyota owners (bought my first one in 71).

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  Another Bad Transmission - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By B Rowe - July 4 - 11:20 am

  I have the transmission problem. I have had the car back to the dealership several times, as well as having the factory rep working to fix my problem. Finally they told me there was nothing else they could do for me. So I am stuck with a product I am not satisfied with and they dont seem to care. I can assure you I will never own another Toyota product just because of the way they (Corporate) treated me. They want everyone to believe there is no problems when Toyota knows full well there is. I will seek to unload this problem onto someone else and go back to products I never had problems with.