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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  Disappointing - 2003 Toyota Avalon
  By Larry Bienapfl - April 8 - 2:00 am

  Automatic temperature control is very inconsistent - to hot or to cold. Feet are hot, upper body cold. Brakes are poor, almost impossible to brake slowly they are on or off. Car nose dives when stopping quickly. Poor acceleration from stoped position. Doors must be slammed to close properly. Automatic wipers dont respond when needed. Poor traction in snow

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  Lexus Specs at a Toyota Price - 2003 Toyota 4Runner
  By kstitt - April 8 - 2:00 am

  This SUV is very impressive. I looked at all competitors. I liked Lexus GX 470 (I have an LS400), but a loaded 4Runner with similar features was $12,000 less out the door. Most specs are the same except for headroom, wood int trim, third row seat and DVD entertainment system which I didnt want. Offers plenty of power, great ride, handling & off-road capability. Great machine and fun to drive!

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  recent purchase - 2003 Toyota Highlander
  By mofire - April 8 - 2:00 am

  highlander is everything we were hoping it would be. quiet, tight build excelent ride and extremely comfortable.

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  Outstanding midsize car for the $ - 2008 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By just do it - April 7 - 9:46 pm

  I needed something that gets great mpg and looked stylish enough to take to appointments in my job. It has leather, nav, and bluetooth. The interior is way roomier than the M35 I had previously. I actually like this nav better. This car is perfect for what it offers relative to the price. It looks classy and is more comfortable to drive than my m35 was.

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  Dead in Seven Days - 2006 Toyota Prius
  By R. Hauch - April 7 - 9:13 pm

  We drive this car around town mostly and average about 45 MPG. Several times a year we drive from Florida to Michigan and back. The last trip our mileage average was 48.8. When the car sets for seven days or more, without being started, the battery goes dead. Local dealer and Toyota advises this is normal. Their "fix" for this problem is having you disconnect the negative battery cable and then reconnecting it when you want to start the car. The battery is located beneath the floor in the cargo area.

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  Its an ok car! - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By Charles - April 7 - 8:00 am

  Replaced a 2002 with this new 2007 XLE Overall after 2 weeks of driving it I have some disappointments outlined below that come with ownership. I now have 2,320 miles on it and mileage has been 25 as an average so far, about what my 2002 got. Has already been in the shop for a bad sensor that was replaced under warranty.

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  time will tell - 2002 Toyota Sequoia
  By silverseqltd - April 7 - 4:00 am

  Ive got approximately 4000 miles on the truck now. The dealership replaced the water pump under warranty when I took it in for an oil change. The ride is nice but I knew that from test driving other 4x4s before the purchase. I also like the Sequoias exterior looks and overall build quality. The water pump, well, time will tell me if it lives up to Toyotas typical build quality ......

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  Great Vehicle, Good Price, Poor Stereo - 2006 Toyota Sienna
  By David Williams - April 7 - 1:43 am

  I purchased my 2006 Sienna six months ago and Im very impressed with the vehicle. It has a very nice interior with and 8 full size seats. The only minivan with three full size seats in the second row. The center second row adjustable seat is great for infants in car seats. The trunk can adequately handle the luggage for eight passengers. The engine is powerful and smooth. The stereo system sounds very basic and inadequate for such and excellent vehicle. The ride is quite and smooth.

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  Very Impressed - 2008 Toyota Prius
  By David - April 6 - 7:20 pm

  I have had the 2008 Package 6 for a little over two weeks and so far, I am very impressed overall. We had to turn in a leased vehicle so the timing was right to get something that made the most sense. After checking out everything out there, my wife and I chose the Prius. Very quiet, fun to drive and see how high you can get the mileage up to, and impressed with the thinking that went in to this car. As we are now seeing oil climbing at a stupid pace, each time I fill up I am reminded of the quality purchase I just made. It is too bad other companies have not been more proactive, like Toyota has been, with this type of technology. The competition has dropped the ball big time!

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  All flash, no dash - 2003 Toyota Camry Solara
  By mysticwarrior - April 6 - 3:53 pm

  Dont let the fact that the top goes down down fool you. Terrible JBL radio, lousy seats, lots of wind noise with the top up, busy HVAC controls, no stick, so so gas mileage, crappy center console is an elbow rest not an arm rest. Purchased this car for the wife cause she liked the way it looked with the top down, but after spending an hour driving it, she would rather drive her 10 year old jeep with 150,000 miles on it. This car may or not be reliable down the road, but its a lot to put up with just for the sake of reliability.