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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  7 years later, still running! - 2000 Toyota 4Runner
  By Ts Runner - June 23 - 10:00 am

  Bought this car used right after college as a single person, now its converted great for car seats, strollers, etc. Has performed excellent during the worst snow storms, and is a great car for beach trips. Cleans up well, low maintenance, and I would buy it again in a heartbeat.

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  Reliable and sometimes fun - 2001 Toyota Corolla
  By Stiggy - June 23 - 10:00 am

  This is my second Corolla and it is a great every day vehicle. The only 2 times this car did not start was dead battery and when dealership overfilled it with oil. From handling and power point of view this car performs fairly well - it is easily controllable and very predictable. I found the car to be very comfortable for long rides as well, even at higher speeds the engine noise is manageable and the mileage is great.

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  Good and bad - 2011 Toyota Camry
  By badbug2000 - June 23 - 10:00 am

  Everything looks OK except the headrests on font seats is too big and not comfortable. Also rear view point isnt good enough. Dont forget to get the one with back up camera if you decide to buy one later.

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  I love my Prius - 2002 Toyota Prius
  By MaryBB - June 22 - 11:56 pm

  I have had my Prius for two years now. I bought it used with only 18,000 miles on it. It handles the road well, with a minimum of turning base, and it takes these West Virginia hills like nothing. I would buy a new one because the seats in this one do not fold down, but its been so good for me I hate to get rid of it.

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  Thanks Toyota! - 2000 Toyota Camry
  By Shoman32 - June 22 - 9:50 pm

  My Camry has been great! Its extremely quiet, comfortable ride, handles well, but not harsh; Accord is too stiff for me...I take long trips. Initially I was concerned with power, having previously owned an SHO Taurus and a 3.8 Litre Sable, but the little four gets the job done, with no sense of being underpowered. It will run as fast as you want on the E-way, my usual is around 80 mph, and NEVER have a problem keeping it their...itll slide up to 90 if you dont watch it...and still gets 30-31 miles per gallon! With 74,000 miles Ive done nothing but routine maintenance, one change of brake pads about 50,000 miles. My one complaint is with the seats, (front) which arent cushy enough.

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  Great except for bluetooth... - 2014 Toyota RAV4
  By rmundlimo - June 22 - 3:57 pm

  The Rav 4 is a responsive, small SUV and well appointed. The auto liftgate is handy and all the features you might want are available in the Limited. HOWEVER, if you have an I-Phone 4, you will not be able to load the contacts from your phone on to the bluetooth system! Wish they had told us that the contacts would load on the base models, but NOT their top of the line model. If this is important to you, and it should be, look elsewhere.

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  Excellent SUV - 2005 Toyota 4Runner
  By dwmiller25 - June 22 - 8:05 am

  This has been my wifes vehicle for 5 years and now with 107k on the clock, we have done nothing to the vehicle except regular maintenance and one battery change out. This car is a fantastic family SUV. The car has plenty of power, a very smooth transmission and all out feel of a well made automobile. Hopefully we will have it for another 100k miles!

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  Good Value! - 2004 Toyota Matrix
  By aclake06 - June 21 - 12:13 pm

  I have had my matrix since June 2004, and it has been a great car. I average about 27-28 MPG mainly city driving. I love the interior. The only thing I would change is my exterior color. I got the Indigo Ink, and it is very hard to keep clean. If I had to choose again, I would get red instead. Overall, a very good car with a great stereo system. I LOVE the redesign for 2005.

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  Lots of room - 2015 Toyota Sienna
  By T.H.E. Pensman - June 20 - 3:20 pm

  Van sucks up gas like a thirsty camel. Dont buy this for outstanding mpg. Even it you were to coast down a hill, this car will suck up the fuel. Car handles really well for its size. Navigation is OK for the first year but upgrades that have to be done at a dealership and run close to $300 a year: ridiculous. Entune is WORTHLESS and when you call Toyota for help/information, its as if you were speaking gibberish. They dont even seem to know that Entune is their product. Even the other apps and info systems are only partially thought through. If a tire needs air, you get a notice, but which tire is it? Yet you have to check every individual tire and only when you find the right one will the low air light go off. And yet if you have your bright lights on, they will automatically dim at an approaching vehicle. If you arent a soccer parent then dont despair: you can easily put four sets of golf clubs in the back. And two adult passengers will enjoy being chauffeured in the rear reclining seats.

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  RAV4 - 2007 Toyota RAV4
  By Jeff - June 20 - 12:46 pm

  Have driven 17000 miles. Day to day driving it only gets 23 mpg. EPA estimates 24 to 30 mpg. Seats not very comfortable on drives over 40 or 50 miles. Rides rough, you feel every bump. There is a large blind spot on both rear corners. Dont like large swinging rear door. The 4 cyl engine takes a lot of pedal to get the vehicle moving. Get the V6. I wont buy another.