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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  Flappy - 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser
  By Loftonfan - May 24 - 5:50 am

  I have had my "Flappy" for close to 9 months now, and it is by far my favorite vehicle. It has been off road quit a few times. The Little Grand Canyon with a foot of snow was the hardest trail that it was on, and it made it out after some coaxing. Wish I had a locker in the front, a winch, or more aggresive tires. Just got done with a weekend of wheeling in Silverton and it proved to be a stellar machine. Pulled the popup camper there, and never would have known that you were pulling a load. Really a fun vehicle to drive, had enough get up and go for me, yet is so smooth over the highway that you can enjoy the drive to the next off road trail. Gas gets a little pricey with the premium.

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  Built exclusively for short people! Worthless for average male. - 2015 Toyota Corolla
  By cjkersh - May 23 - 4:38 pm

  You would think by now car manufacturers would know how to build a car to fit a body. Im a tad under 5 11 inches. My head hits the ceiling and you cant see crap out of the windshield. You will need to cut a hole in the roof if you plan on being able to see a traffic light. This bit of engineering stupidity ruins all of Toyotas hard work build a great brand and car. I have had many Corollas and expected to love this car. Unbelievable Toyota! Hello Nissan

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  Love my Bully - 2008 Toyota Tundra
  By Joe - May 23 - 2:36 am

  Love this truck extremely. Had an 04 tacoma with trd package, kinda rough. Traded that in for an 06 tundra 4dr. with the TSS package. When I read about the new tundras with the 5.7, went to test drive one. Loved the power. So in feb. 08, went in and came out with an 08 Limited with the TSS package. Had to get used to the auto tilt, and telescopic steering wheel.

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  Solid little truck - 2002 Toyota Tacoma
  By John - May 22 - 4:50 pm

  The Tacoma is a respectable little truck. In 6 years Ive put 75000 miles on it and only had to change tires, the battery, coolant, and oil. One thing in particular, is the steering has never gotten out of alignment, I had it checked when I replaced the OEM tires. It was right on. That was at 35000 miles. It is reliable, but slightly underpowered for its weight. It only gets about 18 mpg overall; in a range from 15 to 25 mpg. The interior is appealing except the seats are too lightweight. A seat spring makes noise sometimes. It also needs keyless entry. The headlights have never been changed and have been burning for 75000 miles! Same goes for other lights too. Ive had no major problems

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  Fun to drive! - 2006 Toyota Avalon
  By JCC - May 22 - 4:10 pm

  I love this car! Ive only had it a couple of months, but its SO much fun to drive! I have a bit of a lead foot and this beats everything around off a traffic light. Its great for highway entry and passing. My only complaints are that there isnt a coin holder and there isnt a door protector strip. Otherwise, its a beautiful car. I waited an extra month to get the Indigo Pearl - gorgeous! Everyone comments on the quiet, smooth ride. Id buy it again in a heartbeat.

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  A good family vehicle - 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
  By A good family vehicl - May 22 - 11:00 am

  We mainly purchased the Highlander Hybrid to try the new technology and better gas mileage than convential SUV. Acceleration is the most part Id like about this car. It is feeling good to know that when braking the battery pack is being charged instead of wasting kinetic energy. So far we are happy with our decision to buy this vehilce. We anticipate Toyota good reliability many years to come. Thanks Toyota to help keep air clean to breathe.

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  nice ride - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By rhernandez - May 22 - 10:30 am

  Clean, smooth and roomy. A bit loud in the car but adequate.

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  You have to read this before you buy - 2014 Toyota Avalon
  By malutka - May 22 - 7:48 am

  The biggest issue for me is that the whole interior (meaning door panels, dashboard in my car especially rear doors and behind passenger seats) squeaks which is unacceptable for this type of car. Barely noticeable during the day, because of the outside ambient noise, with occasional louder squeaks here and there. But at night it is impossible to drive without music on- it drive me crazy! Suspension: you feel all the bumps, but the car is soft and has no handling power. My 9 speaker sounds system almost like in dodge neon. It sounds like all the sound coming out of one dashboard speaker. Telescopic Steering wheel doesnt pull out far enough. If you 6 and over, your hands will be straight.

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  Be careful with the spare tire cover - 2007 Toyota RAV4
  By TS3787 - May 21 - 11:26 pm

  We got our RAV4 in 7/2007 and since then we havent have any problem at all. There are two areas where the 2007 design failed: 1) The rear bumper upper part is too exposed to scratches during loading/unloading. 3) At winter ice forms between the spare tire and the rear bumper. That ice eventually tends to damage the rear bumper. 2) the spare tire cover was removed during a car wash and totally ruined. Someone mentioned that TOYOTA said only they know of one case... that is simply not true, it is pretty common and a big design flaw. After 2007 they changed the design of the car cover.

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  A lesser evil - 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
  By silvergodiva - May 21 - 10:06 pm

  Hybrid + room for 7 = Highlander (HH). If you need an SUV, the HH is the lesser evil. Move lots of people and lots of stuff for less gas/fewer emissions. I feel the V6 + hybrid engine is a bit excessive. Toyota was trying to break hybrids out of the "green" market and into the gas guzzling SUV power market: "Not just for enviros anymore". But the I4 (2.4L) + hybrid engine would have been just fine and probably gotten another 5-7mpg. No issues with any part of the car in the 15 months Ive owned it. Very easy to drive and you cant tell its a hybrid. The 3rd seat is neat and easy, but there is almost no storage when it is up.