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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  Pleasantly Surprised - 2012 Toyota Prius v
  By garyb7 - February 6 - 4:10 pm

  I purchased my Prius V in December 2012. I wanted 40 mpg and there are few cars in this class. I considered the Ford C Max, but to get a drivers seat with lumbar support, I had to upgrade to the SEL model, while the Prius 2 package has lumbar support. And C Max has not been getting the mileage as advertised. The V rides well and Ive been averaging 40mpg so far during winter driving... (Minnesota). The car is very comfortable and feels very similar to my old Pontiac Vibe. The seats are very comfortable and the interior is much roomier than the Prius liftback, especially in the front. My only complaint is the car is a bit slow. Overall, Im very happy with my purchase.

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  review - 2012 Toyota Sienna
  By Bob Shilling - February 6 - 9:36 am

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  Rock Solid - 2003 Toyota Corolla
  By ragged1234 - February 6 - 6:37 am

  Ten years ago I bought my 2003 Corolla LE brand new, and it has been rock solid in terms of reliability. In the ten years Ive owned this car (115,000 miles) I have had only one repair that was not usual wear-and-tear (air conditioner went out). Everything else has stood the test of time. So I give this car a 5 in terms of value, build quality, and reliability. As for performance, comfort, and fun to drive, the Corolla is admittedly not top-of-the-line (youre not going to win races with this thing or feel like youre sitting in a recliner), and gas mileage by todays standards isnt spectacular. But, I trust this thing just as much today as I did the day I bought it and that says something.

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  Granny Driven - 1995 Toyota Camry
  By d3boom - February 5 - 11:33 pm

  I bought my 95 Camry from my grandmother after she decided to buy a new car. The car had only 116,000 KM on it which is practically nothing for a 15 year old car. It runs well, has been very reliable. Theres some rust starting to form around the sides of the doors, but other than that the car is in perfect condition. Older automatic transmissions are known to get crummy fuel economy ratings and this one is no exception, i get about 7.5L/100k if Im trying which is no great shake, but not bad considering the age of the car.

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  Out of the box, works like a Porsche - 2006 Toyota Tacoma
  By firstoyota - February 5 - 2:06 pm

  A head turner. The indigo ink access cab 4x4 is great looking. Made me look into pickups (I had a 1989 two-door Montero that is an awesome BEAST) as a new means of transport. Drives like a car, interior is spartan beauty (oxymoron, but it works), storage is phenomenal, and instrumentation is thoughtfully placed and effective. Performance with the 6 spd manual trans. is responsive and throaty. Yes, a throaty pickup. Went with the sport package, and glad for that -- great price package through USAA buying service with the dealer. They through in a little lagniappe: the slidable D-rings in the bed. The orange lighting is a little 1980s, but hey, thats not entirely bad, is it?

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  Great model - 1993 Toyota Camry
  By SoCalCarGuy - February 5 - 8:53 am

  My 1993 Camry is reliable, quick, and safe. I have had no major or minor problems in the years since I bought it new. The ride is really nice and smooth.

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  Why Grow Up? - 2001 Toyota MR2 Spyder
  By AttackPilot - February 3 - 10:00 am

  This car has so much going for it that its spooky. Its great fun to drive at very little cost, its as reliable as any other Toyota, and it converts from sunworship to a very tightly covered, whistle free closed car in about about 5 seconds. I love it, but my wife does too, so I dont get to drive it often enough. My son is already planning on taking it to college in 8 more years. Bravo to Toyota for executing a vision of a non-mainstream, just-for-the-fun- of-it roadster!

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  The BUV - 1997 Toyota RAV4
  By woo2 - February 3 - 10:00 am

  Purchased to drive our bassets. Basset UV. It is wonderful, fun to drive and perfect for that. Took it over a CRV because it has the manual transmission. But it is just what I was looking for.

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  My 2nd 4-Runner since 1990 - 1997 Toyota 4Runner
  By Romer Maiel - February 3 - 10:00 am

  As long as the 4-Runner sold in the states is made in Japan, I will buy it.

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  Nice but noisy - 2002 Toyota Camry
  By larry s - February 3 - 10:00 am

  Extremely loud road noise emanating from tires and through windows. Much louder than my 1999 Camry. Toyota says there is nothing they can do about it. Seems it is just part of the design. Transmission has been re-tuned causing sharp down shifts.