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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  Car Saved My Life - 2008 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By MK in NS - May 9 - 3:00 pm

  After an accident where an oncoming car spun out and into me I was thrilled and disappointed that it was our TCH that I was driving-we have two other Toyotas. The car did everything that it was designed to do. Only the airbags necessary deployed and the front end, including hood, crumpled as it was supposed to. I walked away with minor injuries. LOVE this car so much that when it was written off we bought a 2009. It had more than 100,000kms on it with no problems at all. Cant imagine a better vehicle.

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  I love my camry! - 1999 Toyota Camry
  By jasonjb - May 9 - 2:48 pm

  I drove a 1991 Toyota pickup from 2005 to ~2011; after that I was given my grandmothers 1999 Toyota Camry. At the time it only had around 43k miles on the odometer. Since then Ive put around 30k on the odometer; driving to and from work/school in Connecticut as well as driving from South Carolina to CT and back 5 times. It still runs great; the engine air filter is miraculously still clean and in good shape despite being 3 years old. The only problem Ive been having lately is the motors for both the front driver and passenger windows dying...although thats likely due to age. All in all, its a great car and I bet mine will last for years to come.

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  ching ching! - 2003 Toyota Prius
  By kramerica - May 9 - 10:00 am

  Hey, its all about the money, admit it! This is my first car and itll be hard to top this. I wanted a great ride with some great mileage. I purchased my silver prius in july and have gotten a lot of oohs and ahhs. More importantly, Ive gained a couple things. One, incredible gas mileage in a brand Ive come to respect. Two, how much I really drive and my driving style. Those two have resulted in better mileage, savings in money, and a more comfortable ride. In general, a great car for a first time buyer. And if that aint enuff, its super clean and you get a tax break, unbelievable!

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  The Best - 2001 Toyota Highlander
  By harper - May 9 - 10:00 am

  Have had many autos over 40 years now including prior Toyotas, Mercedes and Cadillacs. This is the best auto by far I have ever had. Freinds really take to the Highlander.

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  Well Designed - 2003 Toyota Highlander
  By Jacob Foret - May 9 - 10:00 am

  Well designed with plenty of room for passengers and cargo in the back. The ride is higher than a car, but not towering over all other traffic. You dont feel like an elephant maneuvering in a parking lot.

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  Great car - 2016 Toyota Sienna
  By Sumit - May 9 - 5:53 am

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  Roomy inside - 2015 Toyota RAV4
  By Lorraine Tipton - May 9 - 4:00 am

  I love having head and leg room. The seat of my Jeep was more comfortable for me than the RAV, but my husband likes it better. I slip a pillow behind me so it feels like heaven. The room is great over our Jeep Liberty. Drove it 2,500 miles the first week and it just floated down the road. We seemed to get about 28 miles to mpg from our calculations. We love RAV4s.

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  2014 is awesome ! - 2014 Toyota Highlander
  By ronn - May 8 - 11:45 am

  I have owned my new Highlander Limited with platinum package for a week and a half now, and I must say this SUV is totally different from my 2008 Highlander. From the upgraded luxury of materials inside, to the super quiet and smooth ride with the new 6 speed transmission, it is fun to drive. The steering is a favorite improvement..you can feel the road with precise handling and no sloppy feeling to the wheel. The seats are very comfortable, with plenty of room front and back. All of the tech features are great, and a big help. The multi info system is awesome, and it is right between the gauges .The JBL stereo is great, and I enjoy the big screen for Entune and navigation. So many apps!

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  Toyota doesnt disappoint. - 2003 Toyota Highlander
  By Brklyndriver - May 8 - 11:13 am

  This is my first SUV. Before it, I owned a 2000 nissan quest. Im trully in love with this vehicle. The suspension is so soft when going over the pothole filled roads of New York streets. It has a decent amount of power and more trunk space then I can ask for. After I let some friends drive it they fell in love with it as well and bought their own. Now theres 3 of us :)

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  Another happy swagger family! - 2011 Toyota Sienna
  By queentot - May 8 - 4:15 am

  Our family of five outgrew our 2006 Mazda5 (great car) and were we ready for a full-size minivan. We researched, test drove and compared all the top recommended, re-designed vans of 2011, and ultimately decided on the Sienna. We are all so happy with our new minivan! I like that the Sienna 11 is an IIHS top safety pick, and I preferred the exterior appearance to the other top safety pick van. I also really liked that I could get a lot of useful and important features (two rows of sunshades, iPod connectivity and XM) without having to get leather seats (ick, who thinks dead cow is luxury?!) Overall the Sienna was the perfect minivan package for our family - our swagger wagon rules!