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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  MY CAR - 2001 Toyota Highlander
  By MRPAT - July 16 - 10:00 am

  VERY NICE, HOPE TO GET A NEW ONE

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  Owned a 1999 Corolla - 2003 Toyota Corolla
  By cpoled - July 16 - 10:00 am

  A mini Camry.Not a whole lot of power but on the highway can scoot. A higher (seat position)and smoother ride than older Corollas.(Used to feel just about every pebble and crack)But not with car. A solidly built car that is gas conscious. I can park just about anywhere.Fun to drive.I LOVE this car.

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  Love it - 2007 Toyota Matrix
  By Toti Shahin - July 16 - 5:43 am

  After my 98 Pontiac Sunfire became too expensive to fix, I had no choice but to purchase the Matrix XR, 2007, sport suspension. After driving it for almost two weeks now, I can say I like the handling, the way it drives around the corners, good mileage, roomy inside. The only thing annoying is sometimes something rattles from the dashboard, but I can put up with it. I wish it had more power going uphill, but then again I like my mpg (actually around 30). I like to drive fast.

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  Miles ahead of 2005 F-150 - 2008 Toyota Tundra
  By stu - July 16 - 4:53 am

  Very disappointed with the brakes on my 2005 Ford F-150 XLT. I had test driven a couple of 08 Tundras in the past year and a half and I was very impressed with the feel and the power of Toyotas brakes. They are awesome! When you want to stop you stop! With the Ford I was always a little apprehensive with the brakes, always anticipating an early stop and even when I would plan ahead I always felt that they were unsafe. Well I have to tell you after 4 Ford trucks Ford has lost me as a customer.

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  My fav auto - 1998 Toyota Camry
  By shoemasterz - July 15 - 2:00 pm

  Great family car, large trunk comes in handy for those long road trips, reliable, handles well in poor weather.

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  Happy so far - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By fan1 - July 15 - 11:13 am

  Model: CE 4Dr 4 cyl, automatic, mfrd 01/07. So far I am very impressed with this car. The only thing the CE didnt have that I wanted was alloy wheels, which Im glad I added to the deal (just over $20k out the door). In a prior life I used to be a mechanic, and I went over this car and detail. Interior/exterior quality is very good. Quiet and refined ride, 4 cyl has sufficient power for everyday driving, and a smooth transmission that shifts well.

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  05 LIMITED DOUBLE CAB 4X4 - 2005 Toyota Tundra
  By RANDY - July 15 - 6:00 am

  I TRADED IN A 2002 CHEVY Z-71 THAT I HAD TROUBLE WITH FROM DAY ONE AND GM COULD NOT GET FIXED AFTER 40 TRIPS TO THEIR SHOP AND 2-YEARS! THE DOUBLE CAB HAS BEEN IN ONLY FOR OIL AND FILTER CHANGE. I HAVE ALREADY PUT 10100 MILES ON IT AND NOT ONE PROBLEM. DRIVES LIKE A DREAM, HANDLES GREAT. THE ONLY THING I CAN SAY BAD ABOUT THE DOUBLE CAB IS THAT IT LIKES GAS I GET AROUND 12 PER. GALLON ON AVERAGE. I HAVE PUT IT IN 4WHEEL HI AND FORGOT IT WAS IN FOUR WHEEL DRIVE IT HANDLES SO SMOOTH, NOT LIKE MY RATTLE TRAP 2002 CHEVY Z-71 I HAD YOU KNEW WHEN IT WAS IN 4-WHEEL DRIVE FROM THE NOISE AND VIBRATION! YOU CAN NOT GO WRONG WITH TOYOTA QUALITY!! I TOW A 20 FOOT CARGO TRAILER 6800 LBS. NO PROBLEM!!!!

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  Worth Buying - 2010 Toyota Venza
  By DAXESH - July 15 - 12:30 am

  Good interior and exterior, More leg room at driver side which is good for tall people. Nice performance and good mileage. Sun & Moon roofs, excellent control during turn. I like this car

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  After 3 Years - 2006 Toyota 4Runner
  By Rod - July 14 - 11:13 pm

  Last post was 9/6/2006. Nothing has changed except the gas mileage has improved from 19.5 to 21 mpg combined. Absolutely zero defects after 3 years and 36K miles. Best of all, my wife still loves it. It is the best vehicle, new or used that I have owned during the past 43 years. Wife wished we had bought leather with heated seats but the cloth is great. Handled great on snow and ice the past 2 winters. Plenty of power, great handling, and visibility. Still looks like new.

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  Love this SUV much more than I expected. - 2005 Toyota Highlander
  By RedbeardCE - July 14 - 10:26 pm

  This family of 5 is loving our 2005 Toyota Highlander. Definitely like the 3rd row seat, our 10 year old enjoys having his own place in the car, as do the 16 and 14 year olds like the middle seat with center arm rest. No more do I hear "will you stop touching me!" from the rear of the vehicle, everyone has plenty of room now. Having this as our family weekend vehicle, the wife and I look for excuses to park my Civic and her Altima and pack the kids in and go out to eat or visit GrandMa or just plain go for a Sunday drive. Looking forward to vacationing this summer and the local drive-in movie too. Does not get the mileage that either of the other two cars get, but the 20/25 split is not bad.