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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  Want my other vehicle back..... - 2007 Toyota Prius
  By Jan - April 28 - 1:50 pm

  It drives okay, handles pretty well. I think its pretty zippy, when I go to pass I just shift into B. It is very difficult to judge the front because you cant see it & backing up with the camera is deceiving-objects are definitely closer than they appear

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  Worry free/comfort - 2009 Toyota Camry
  By Dave - April 28 - 8:36 am

  I love my Camry. I took it on a multi-state ski trip; it was such a smooth quiet ride through the mountains, no problem in slush and light snowy back roads. I am 64 and no problem with leg and head room. I really like the new body design, and I love the car and am thinking of selling my wifes car for another Toyota, maybe rav 4, to add to collection. Hopefully being this is my first toy, there will be many years of no problems. :)

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  Avalon love - 2005 Toyota Avalon
  By kathe - April 28 - 7:53 am

  This is my 3rd Avalon & they just keep getting better & better--BUT, going with the nav system in the 05, lost my ability to have a trip "time" function which I miss--also not sure I like the automatic oor "unlock" when the ignition is off -- I felt a little safer when I had the ability to unlock manually when I stopped and turned off the ignition

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  Run to your nearest Prius dealer to get 1 - 2005 Toyota Prius
  By Irene W. - April 28 - 6:20 am

  This is the first "new" car weve ever purchased, and it was well worth the (six-week) wait. Driving this Prius makes you feel young again, hip, and enviromental -- all at the same time! Surely, Toyota neednt continue to take "a loss" on the cost of the technology in this baby. I wouldve paid a lot more and waited longer, had I known what a gem this would be!

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  Dont Buy This Junk!! - 2010 Toyota Camry
  By Toledojoe - April 28 - 3:30 am

  Toyota has fallen off of their pedestal. The transmission shifting is horrible in city traffic. Shifting is very erratic and clunky. There is also a drag on the transmission during coasting speeds and when approaching a stop. The transmission is constantly clunking and jarring the car when slowing down or approaching a stop. Surprisingly, the dealers all know about it and shrug it off as not important. One had the audacity to tell me it was a "safety feature" to which they quickly retreated from upon further reasoning. Dont buy one!!!! These cars are junk! What happened to Toyota quality?

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  Hot car - 2004 Toyota MR2 Spyder
  By idahoe - April 28 - 2:00 am

  This car is great to drive, and fun to show off in. It take off fast and i love it fast. It is a cheap price for all the attention!!!

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  I still love my truck! - 2000 Toyota Tundra
  By Edward King - April 28 - 2:00 am

  I lived in the mts of Southern California for four years and my truck has been with through all the good and bad times while I have been up there here. Wether it was hauling furniture to move, or firewood for the house, or landscaping products, my tundra was with me. WHen it came to get the hell out because of the wildfires, did I take the company chevy truck? Did I take the brand new sports car? Or did I put the dogs in the Tundra and leave out? I took the Tundra! That says it all.

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  great first car - 1999 Toyota Camry
  By tpwrm - April 28 - 2:00 am

  I got the 5-speed V6 version of the Camry used with 45k on it... having put nearly 20k on it myself in a little more than a year, Ive only had to replace the front brake pads and a tie rod. Its a great car, looks good in dark blue with the alloy wheels. The engine is smooth and quiet below 3k rpm but above 4 it starts making a nice sound and a lot of power. Only problems are a bad shifter, a tacky pattern on the seats and the suspension, which could be a little bit tighter.

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  04 Solara - 2004 Toyota Camry Solara
  By A Dailey - April 28 - 2:00 am

  Great car. This is our first Toyota and wont be the last. I have always bought GM. But after having this car I will be getting more. The maintenance record on the Toyotas seem to be much better than on the GM line. The interior styles are also very nice looking on your cars. We are very satisfied with the new Solara.

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  2nd 4-Runner - 2003 Toyota 4Runner
  By Joseph W. - April 28 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle handles great, has great comfort and the design is neat. It is very roomy and the interior is laid out comfortably. Great acceleration and handling for a SUV. Drives and rides like a luxury car. V-6 is plenty powerful and has reasonable gas mileage for a SUV.