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:

• 

  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.

• 

  Toyota Carolla - 2012 Toyota Corolla
  By chris313 - February 1 - 11:34 am

  This is our 4th Carolla and 6th toyota product. The new Carolla is missing some options previously (automatic lights, cruze control) standard. Our new Toyota does not seem to be as zippy as our 2006 carolla. The fit and finish seems to be better & the ride is less noisy and smoother. We have always had great luck with reliability (none of our toyotas required repairs, just oil changes) & I am sure this new purchase will be the same. While I am sure the Impreza, Mazda 3, Ford focus & Chevy Cruze may be zippier and offer more options it is hard for me to give up the feeling that I have a reliable vehicle that will last for years to come. Gave our last toyota to a 17 year old family member.

• 

  good reliable car - 2000 Toyota Camry
  By schwab - January 31 - 11:00 pm

  bought mine used in 2002 and have now 98000 miles only replaced battery and brake pads and tires nothing ever goes wrong with this car . it is a great relaible car excellent gas millage and no need for a mechanic ever ....

• 

  Echo - 2003 Toyota Echo
  By BrianT - January 31 - 10:00 am

  I got the two door echo. Its not too small but I dont reccomend the two door because its a pain getting everybody inside it. Echo holds up good against high gas prices but doesnt hold up on the highway as much. I do alot of highway driving and when its really windy the Echo blows all over the road. Its great for in town driving though, you never have any wind disturbances there. My car came with very few options which was dissapointing but I didnt want to pay a bunch extra. Id say if you had to choose between the Echo or the Hybrid Prius, to go ahead and pay a lil more for the Prius. Its alot better on everything.

• 

  Good but Not a great Toyota - 2004 Toyota Matrix
  By JimmyD06457 - January 31 - 10:00 am

  Rides Great handles great, Looks good great on gas

• 

  toyota - 2004 Toyota Tundra
  By emanon - January 31 - 10:00 am

  i have driven a toyota for years, and in coparison to a silverado, it handles much better, and has much more to give to the consumer.

• 

  Toyota Can Do Better - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By St. Louis Driver - January 30 - 7:43 pm

  After one month, the good: great ride, quiet comfortable spacious cabin, superior electronics (JBL), fair price and good looks. The bad: the significant transmission hesitations are unacceptable and possibly unsafe, and the 4 cyl engine provides inadequate power when challenged. Gas mileage is only about 22 around town. I feel the plusses outweigh the negatives, but any prospective buyer should take a serious test drive under varying conditions and actually experience transmission hesitations and the mediocre acceleration performance. Basically the drive train stinks when stressed. If that limitation is OK with you, it is a great car! PS: I am very happy with after-market leather.

• 

  "klonk" noise - 2002 Toyota Camry
  By Mary Jones - January 29 - 10:00 am

  When putting car in reverse and then going forward there is a "klonk" noise. Was told this was normal and nothing could be done to change it. It is very annoying and friends have asked what was causing the noise.

• 

  Reluctant Toyota Convert is Thrilled - 2007 Toyota Sienna
  By CarKings - January 28 - 3:50 pm

  Always hated Toyota, but after Dodge experience only considered Honda and Toyota. Love driving this van. VERY comfortable, excellent feature, and feels very solid (in a good way, not like a tank). Because of the options we wanted, we had to go for the limited (pricey) and ended up getting the power 3rd row seat. Thats a pain b/c it is much slower than manual and everything must be perfectly out of the way for it to work. Gratuitous technology, but we love the other features.

• 

  First Corolla and Lovin it! - 2009 Toyota Corolla
  By DD974 - January 28 - 3:10 pm

  Have around 900 miles on my new S and have to say am pleased with my second ever Toyota (first was a 2000 Tundra). I traded a 2004 Jeep Liberty that only got 15 mpg. Performance of the 1.8L is snappy and it sips the 89 octane, which is the real reason I bought it.