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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  quiet, solid, efficient, comfy - 2004 Toyota Corolla
  By Mr V - April 28 - 2:00 am

  Pleasant ride. Astonishingly good torque for when you need it. Seat fabric, ceiling fabric look & feel quite upscale (way better than what Mazda 6 gives). Braking straight and confident. Tires optimized for low rolling resistance, so theyre the first thing to give way when cornering... if you dont mind a little controlled skid, you can corner aggressively. Very roomy, as opposed to (say) Audi S4: driver can sit up straight if so wishes, rear passengers not cramped, trunk space phenomenal. If I had to do it all over again (and if the wife didnt demand an automatic), Id wait for 2005, when Toyota will stuff a Celica engine & shifter into a Corolla body.

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  Great Experience - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By marshall - April 28 - 12:33 am

  I love this car. After two 7-series BMWs, I couldnt afford the maintenance/fun ration of a German car anymore. The only significant issue I have with the Camry is that the paint on the hood is problematic. It pits and flakes easily - first noticed after 3 months. Performance is strong, handling is fun, spacious enough for me - at 62" and 240 lbs. Camrys history of reliability was key to purchasing it, but the 6 cyl SE version is a beast!

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  This is the best car Ive ever owned - 2005 Toyota RAV4
  By Maureen - April 28 - 12:13 am

  I had my little RAV for a little over a year now and love driving her. Im 5 tall and my hubby is 64" and we both can fit in this little SUV. Gas milage, Im getting 30 -31 in town and on the freeway. This RAV 4 is a 5 speed and has the bigger 4 cyl. with plenty of power. I like how the storage is organized and love the hooks for my plastic grocery bags. The smaller size of the 2005 is for me, easy to park!! To drive this car is like driving a small sports car.

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  Tundra double_cab is a standout - 2005 Toyota Tundra
  By Rich - April 28 - 12:10 am

  Just put 1500 miles on a Tundra Limited double-cab in Colorado and Wyoming--pavement and rough back road driving. This is a very good truck. Smooth powertrain, quiet ride, refined chassis and suspension. Got 19-20 mpg on the highway driving the 65-75 mph speed limits (this is on a green engine). Seats front and rear are very comfortable. I like the leather better than I thought I would. The bed is long enough to sleep in, unique for double-cabs with a non-eight foot bed. Not a single reliability issue with anything. This truck runs more quietly than my 95 Saab 9000. Ground clearance under this truck is best in class at 12+ inches.

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  This is my third Tacoma - 2016 Toyota Tacoma
  By Linda - April 27 - 8:09 pm

  The smaller engine this year is not near as gutsy, no matter what the numbers say. I live in a very hilly area and the truck is constantly down shifting to keep speed. It is really annoying. I also dont have auto head lights. I paid $35,000 and I dont get an auto headlight feature? Really?

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  Keys are better! - 2015 Toyota RAV4
  By Don Pisegna - April 27 - 3:45 pm

  I like the use of a key to start the car. Good security feature.

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  Nice cruiser roomy - noisy shocks - 2002 Toyota Avalon
  By avalonowner - April 27 - 6:56 am

  Have put about 30k on mine since buying new. Had to replace brakes. It is based on the same platform as the 97-2002 Camry. I owned a 1998 Camry which had shocks that made knocking noises over bumpy pavement. This Avalon, while very serene, also does the same thing. Maybe the bushings? Its annoying considering the rest of the car is pretty tight. Rear door squeaks when opening. Otherwise, it has been a reliable, relaxing vehicle.

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  Fun to drive - 2005 Toyota Camry
  By Scottie - April 27 - 6:20 am

  Best buy for the money. Comfortable with lots of room including trunk space. Lots of fun to drive.

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  Just got my 2nd one - 2011 Toyota FJ Cruiser
  By fjbob - April 27 - 1:32 am

  I had a 2007 Silver manual FJ and absolutely loved it! 2 weeks ago we were in an accident on I95 where we were hit from behind and then swerved and smashed head-on into the concrete barrier (ever see the insurance industry/govt crash tests with the crash test dummies? - that was us) at around 60 mph. I came out w/o a scratch; my wife & kid had some buising and a couple broken ribs, but overall very well off.The truck was totalled, but we walked away from the accident - very impressive!I just got a brand new 2011 model to repalce it (Brick Red).If you want a fun, tough, and safe vehicle, this is definately it. I truly believe that my 1st FJ saved us very serious injury or even our lives!

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  Pure Luxury - 2005 Toyota Avalon
  By M. Hudoba - April 26 - 1:00 pm

  Had a 2000 Avalon and it was perfect. Waited for new style to come out and so glad I did. The interior is soooo plush and luxurious. Very similar to the Lexus but much cheaper. Have all the buttons including navigation system. Best feature is starting the car without the keys by using push button. Same for trunk. They really seemed to have put alot of thought into this car. Also impressed with Toyota following up with surveys on our satisfaction with the vehicle. This is how they can improve something--not that they need to. I have a 22 year old son that you would think this car would not appeal to him--but he talks about it all the time to his friends. A+ for Toyota Avalon.