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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  Happyman - 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser
  By Denny - June 12 - 4:16 pm

  The things I like best is that it does not have a lot of features that are difficult to use or make decisions for you. If you want to lock your doors, do it, radio knobs, manual seats - everything easy to use. It is a modern antique - it is fun to drive. I find visibility not a problem. Dealer filled with regular fuel, no pings using regular & mileage is 20 in mixed driving. Still use regular fuel. Radio is great, subwoofer is fun. Not a luxury car, a fun car. I am 60, this is a car that is fun for almost anyone. Great quality.

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  ITS LOVE - 1997 Toyota Camry
  By always9 - June 12 - 3:33 pm

  i love this car it has 225,xxx miles on it and it runs like new and the paint is still shiny! ive owned it for 3 years and all ive done is regular maitinance. It gets about 15,000 miles a year and its never failed me. I see a lot of other camrys from these years and i hate seeing them missing hubcaps or being dirty i mean come on hubcaps cost like 15 bucks buy some!! Still i love this car and im going to drive it until either it dies or i die :)

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  Great Truck - 2005 Toyota Tacoma
  By Hank - June 11 - 8:16 pm

  This is my third truck. Had an old Tacoma that just wouldnt die, ran it 200k+ miles and hope this one lasts as long. Had a Dakota with a V8 but this one has much more power and more comfortable ride, even with the TRD pkg. Much better gas mileage then Dakota too, first tank gave me 20 mpg. Love my 05 Tacoma, highly recommend.

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  Best compact around - 2009 Toyota Corolla
  By GANDORAMA - June 11 - 6:36 am

  I drive 18 miles each way to work, and its a pleasure to drive the Corolla. I like the instant mpg monitor. Even at 27 city 35 hwy EPA, I average 33 mpg, and hit 43.51 mpg on the highway over a 150 mile trip. I filled up, drove and filled again on return. Its very quiet for a compact, the stereo is decent, and I am beginning to like the electronic power steering a lot more. As it breaks in it is getting better mileage. I got the gray with gray window tint and its classy looking without adding anything to it. Brakes are great, havent had it in the snow yet. Very little wind noise on the highway. Seats are comfortable, visibility good. Good rear legroom. Smokes the competitors.

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  Best car out there! - 1995 Toyota Camry
  By master alpine - June 11 - 5:03 am

  This is a car that has lasted us forever. This is a great car also because the parts are widely availible so there is no problem with repairs. the cd player seems a little over worked. But thats really it.

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  Cute car, fun to drive - 1997 Toyota Celica
  By Keri - June 10 - 6:20 pm

  This is my first car that Ive had to myself. It is perfect for me. Very reliable, great gas mileage, and fun to drive. It has a tiny engine, but you cant tell by the way it drives. It has plenty of power for such a small car. It has sufficient room for me and for my stuff in the trunk (I am a musician). But it is pretty tight for carrying passengers. There are four seats and I dont recommend this car if you are tall. Other than that, it is a great little car. It is very sporty looking, and heads always turn as a drive past. I am extremely satified with my Celica.

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  Fun car, looking forward to PHEV or EV - 2004 Toyota Prius
  By yohan - June 10 - 3:26 am

  After more than six months, the only problem Ive had with my 2004 Prius is a dead battery. Ive averaged about 52 mpg when I wasnt deliberately driving economically. As a former leadfoot Corvette owner, it took me a while to learn to get 70 mpg or even 99+ mpg, but I did accomplish this using techniques I read in the manual and online. With a car full of husky adults, patience is required for economical acceleration and hill-climbing. The typical American driver will push the pedal for more power, but the electric will kick in and save on gas. I recommend cruise control and some patience to get 50-60 mpg on that long hilly highway trip.

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  Its a real truck folks! - 2014 Toyota Tundra
  By tlmiller - June 9 - 10:57 pm

  Had a 2012 and loved it. Now I have a 2014 and I like it even better. I like my trucks to ride firm and have power to do it all. This delivers on both counts and is the best looking truck on the road. The interior is huge and functional with everything I need within reach. Itll pass anything but a gas pump, but thats what a real truck can do. I drove them all and the others drove heavy and soft to me. I dont need a car ride. If youre looking for a "TRUCK", this is the one for you.

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  Great Truck - 2004 Toyota Tundra
  By edw - June 9 - 3:36 pm

  Rides like a sedan not a truck. Very quiet and nice options like moon roof, great stereo system.

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  Tuff T100 - 1998 Toyota T100
  By 1998 TOY T100 - June 9 - 2:16 pm

  Purchased this vehicle new. Replaced timing chain, water pump, at 100000 as a maintenance measure. This truck was built tough and dependable. If you are looking for a 98 and able to find one, buy it. You wont regret it.