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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  Amazing - 2003 Toyota Prius
  By Pegwukguy - October 21 - 2:00 am

  We have driven Volvos for over 20 years and I was VERY hesitant about "downsizing" to a less than luxury car. But SURPRISE! This aint no tin box. It has everything I could possibly want - love the sound system and the technie dashboard and flat panel displays. Great stuff. Handling is superb. Plenty zippy. Had to crank it up to 87 at one point because of traffic flow - no problemmo - pulled like a thoroughbred. Good stuff

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  99 SIENNA - 1999 Toyota Sienna
  By DAS - October 21 - 2:00 am

  I BROUGHT IT WITH ALL THE ACVAILABLE FEATURES AT THAT TIME, WAS ABIT EXPENSIVE BUT WELL WORTH IT, EXTREMELY RELIABLE LIKE A TOYOTA. NO PROBLEMS UNTILL NOW THE BRAKES FROZE THIS WINTER AS I LEAVE IT OUTSIDE, WHICH I HAD REPAIRED,THE TYRE LIGHTS ARE AN ANNOYANCE I AM VERY SATISFIED ABOUT THE OVERALL QUALITY OF THE CAR

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  Happy with the van - 2003 Toyota Sienna
  By mdoran - October 21 - 2:00 am

  I purchased the 2003 LE Synphony with 0% financing after getting tired of dealing with Honda. I really liked the Odyssey but since there is such a demand for the Odyssey, Honda doesnt budge on price. At 0% the Odyssey lost out. I got a good deal on the Sienna - traded 92 accord. I had lot of buyers remorse for a couple of weeks after giving up my accord. The Van rides higher up and gives a better view of the road. But since you sit higher the vehicle drives different then a sedan. This difference was hard to get use to for me. Now I love the van. I love being higher up and having the extra seating.

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  XR Matrix - 2003 Toyota Matrix
  By Bill J - October 21 - 2:00 am

  The XR is fun-to-drive, it has adequate power for all routine driving situations and it is hard to beat on its overall value. Mine has all the creature comforts, why buy more car?

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  The Best of the Best - 2003 Toyota Matrix
  By edward kim - October 21 - 2:00 am

  It is the last car that can make a real enough satisfy the every situation.

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  Toyota is the best - 2003 Toyota Avalon
  By THE1 - October 21 - 2:00 am

  I love the Avalon!

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  Love it! - 2001 Toyota Tacoma
  By rvkelly - October 21 - 2:00 am

  This truck is a complete pleasure to drive. It combines the comfort of a car and the rugedness of a workhorse. I highly recommend for anyone looking to own a truck he can work with but also save soem fuel money on.

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  What a great truck - 2001 Toyota Tacoma
  By Wright - October 21 - 2:00 am

  This is a great truck - I truly enjoy driving it.

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  Are we talking about the same car? - 2003 Toyota RAV4
  By ravenous - October 21 - 2:00 am

  No power? Come on, this thing is plenty peppy! Absolutely no problem on entrance ramps. (OK, so I dont exactly live in hill country.) As for the sound system, mines got bass to burn! And the controls are convenient and logical. The tweeters give it good presence. This car is a joy to drive, if a little bouncy in the ride. I suppose thats the tradeoff for its superior handling.

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  Humpty Dumpty... - 2002 Toyota Tacoma
  By guamSAR - October 21 - 2:00 am

  I bought this truck for my wife.Well, 6 months later she hit a big rutt in the road and before she knew it she was flying off into a ditch.The front wheels got their traction back as she turned the wheels back to the right and she started rolling.All told my wife rolled it 1 and 3/4 times ending up on the passenger side of the truck.