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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  Love this car - 1997 Toyota Corolla
  By kathy Shaver - June 3 - 9:00 am

  I have had this Corolla for two years now. It was going to be a temporary car until I found something fancier. Well, Im still driving it and loving it. I have had expensive cars for 38 years, Mercedes, BMW Jags, and they have all been expensive to maintain. This is the most basic one I have ever owned but its one of the most reliable and least expensive one to run especially with the new gas prices. It has enough get up and go for heavy traffic and I never feel like I will be stranded like I did when I was driving a Jag. There is nothing I dont like about this car.

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  Cant beat it - 2008 Toyota Camry
  By Ross - June 3 - 1:06 am

  For what I payed for it you cant beat it. From taking the kids to school practice etc.. the Camry is an excellent car. It is hushed and smooth on the highway. In the city (chicago) it absorbs the numerous bumps with no problem. For all of the people complaining about the performance. IT IS A V-4. If you wanted fast buy a mustang. Perfect everyday car. I am averaging 25mpg. Majority city driving. It is a great family car without the big sticker. Very safe car also. Has 6 airbags standard. Has an I-pod jack with 3 gig of storage for mp3s.

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  A Sweet SUV - 2006 Toyota RAV4
  By Karen Loebel - June 1 - 2:03 pm

  The SUV has fantastic power and a smooth ride; nice interior and a sleek exterior. It has lots of cargo space (I hauled two big arm chairs, an ottoman, a microwave and three boxes in one trip).

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  Excellent overall - 2006 Toyota RAV4
  By CBM - June 1 - 5:03 am

  Weve now owned this vehicle for almost a year, and have found quality and reliability to be excellent. The power from the V6 is without peer in this class, and the fuel economy is the icing on the cake (note: a light foot helps achieve those window sticker EPA numbers). Interior room is excellent both for passengers and cargo. The JBL stereo is decent for a factory upgrade. With AWD the RAV4 is surefooted in winter, and with the side curtains and stability control its a safe ride. No complaints about seat comfort (ours is the Limited with leather). The ride is firm but comfortable. After almost a year on the road its still tight and a pleasure to drive. Recommended.

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  THIS TRUCK IS AWESOME!!! - 2005 Toyota Tundra
  By gaijinson - June 1 - 4:10 am

  I looked at a lot of trucks before deciding on the new 05 double cab. This truck performs like a dream. I realized how good it was when I was driving about 80 miles per hour in the fast lane around dusk and I came up on a contractors wheelbarrow in the center of the lane. (This thing was huge.) I did not have enough time to stop so I had to swerve. While other vehicles were slamming on their brakes and spinning out in the breakdown lane this truck handle like a sports car. I went around the wheelbarrow and I was back in the fast lane in just a few seconds. I was shocked that a truck so big could handle like so well. You gotta drive one!!!

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  Love the 8 Passenger Seating - 2005 Toyota Sienna
  By Awesome van - June 1 - 3:40 am

  We love our Sienna. It is a great ride. The 3 seats on the second row are a plus when you have the need for more passengers. And with anchors on each seat across the second row you cant go wrong. Love all the storage and smooth ride. The DVD is great for the trips. We researched vans a long time and am very happy with our purchase.

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  First Taco! - 2016 Toyota Tacoma
  By Kevin Newland - June 1 - 2:24 am

  I have always wanted a Tacoma, well my dream finally came true. I had a Ford F-150 that ended up getting totaled. I bought a new 2016 Tacoma TRD Sport 4 door short bed. I read as many reviews as I could find on them. I had a few misconceptions in the back of my mind when I went to drive one. The one complaint was the transmission shifting too much when you climb a hill, etc. I do notice it downshifting if its in 6th gear or something, but its nothing that really bothers me. If you need too, give it some more gas. Someone mentioned the seat being too low. I am 59" and it is not too low for me. Maybe its low to the floor, but if it was any higher, I would be in the roof. I am slowly getting use to the technology in these new vehicles, its pretty amazing. My F-150 was a 2006 and I thought it was fancy. I do have a tad of a problem getting in and out of it. I put nerf bars on it, but if I step up on them, then I have to squat way down to get under the steering wheel. If I dont use them then it can be a fairly high step, but Im working on it. It rides nice and seems pretty stiff. It is a 4X4 and I like the way it rides. I have a 800 lb Polaris 600 4 wheeler. It fit in the back of the truck with the tailgate down, no problem. It had no power issues hauling it around. I think it has good power and acceleration. As mentioned in my title, this is my first Tacoma and so far I really like it. It is taking a little getting use to since I downsized from a full size truck. Mine has a wireless phone charger. I have a Samsung S6 with wireless capability. There appears to be a problem with either this system or my phone. It charges then cuts out, then charges more. My wife put her Note 5 on the charger and it had no problems. I will keep playing with it before I take it back to the dealer. I am just trying to give people an honest opinion on this new truck from an owners perspective. It only has about 550 miles on it, but I like it more and more each time I drive it.

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  Will have it forever!!! - 2007 Toyota 4Runner
  By luvinlife - May 31 - 7:06 pm

  I bought my 4runner 4 months ago after looking at and test driving several SUVs. Initially I wanted a Highlander, but the dealership did not have the one I wanted in stock. They convinced me to test drive the 4runner and I was sold as soon as we drove off the lot. We live in the Northwest where there is a lot of snow and hills. This SUV handles extremely well in the snow with the traction control and stablility control. I went from a 1998 Toyota Camry which I loved, but will never go back to another sedan after owning the 4runner. The over the top safety features and the way the vehicle handles make me feel very safe and in control. The only complaint I have is the stock stereo is crap.

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  Awesome 4x4 and towing vehicle - 2006 Toyota 4Runner
  By Joshy - May 31 - 1:43 pm

  Ive taken the car everywhere. From my first 2000 miles where I towed from TX to ID, to me taking it off-road or driving in some serious snow, this vehicle has done it all for me. And everything without a single problem

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  toyota matrix - 2004 Toyota Matrix
  By jimcaringi - May 31 - 1:46 am

  I find the 2004 matrix XR with auto trans a very sporty, attention getting vehicle. I bought it used with 6000 miles on it and have driven it in city and Highway modes. The only problem I had was a persistent "buzz" like rattle from under the left side of the dashboard. My selected Toyota dealer repaired it under warranty. It has ample power, though somewhat noisy engine on hard acceleration. The seats are comfortable and the driving position is ok as well. I highly recommend the vehicle.