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:

• 

  So far so good!! - 2002 Toyota Tundra
  By Mike in Florida - November 2 - 2:00 am

  Ive owned many trucks beofre but this is my first Toyota product. Great ride and feel. Love the power. I would buy another one if I had to.

• 

  Engine problems - 2002 Toyota RAV4
  By Somerset Ky - November 2 - 2:00 am

  With only one year and 9000 miles on the vehicle a piece fell from inside the valve cover and went into the engine doing about $3000.00 in damages to the engine. Dealership advised it was a bad design by Toyota, but would didnt think it would be recalled. The fan belt has a squeek in it ever since.

• 

  Very Pleased - 2000 Toyota Camry
  By jtr - November 2 - 2:00 am

  We have been very happy with the quality, comfort, and handling of the Camry LE. We have had absolutely no problems and the engine is smooth running. Gas mileage is outstanding.

• 

  Awesome SUV - 2003 Toyota Highlander
  By BobNJ - November 2 - 2:00 am

  I bought the 2003 Limited fully loaded. The options raised the priced to $32,500. I tried the Honda Pilot and Nissan Pathfinder w/comparable trim. The Pilot was roomy but the interior felt cheap. There was a 3 months wait which gives little room to haggle. The Pathfinder has a very nice but narrow interior. Highlander handles the curves with some body lean (less than other SUVs). The pickup is very smooth with no sudden jolts. Its made for the surburbanite who never go offroad and only takes occassional take trips to Vermont for skiing. The interior is ergonomically designed. The leather seats and simulated wood panels gives it a simple classy look.

• 

  Just what I have always wanted - 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser
  By Gouthum - November 1 - 11:50 pm

  I wanted a 4WD Bronco when I was a kid. This FJ fulfills all those childhood dreams better than the real thing could have. It can climb anything and drives at crazy angles with no problems. It is also stylish inside and out.

• 

  Elegant - 2006 Toyota Camry Solara
  By Monday - November 1 - 7:10 pm

  Ive grown out of raucus rides, so this is a very quiet change. It might just be the perfect daily driver. Maybe not the fastest, but no other coupe in its range can match its overall elegance,. That goes double for the "base" SE. Nice surprise: the Four-cylinder with the 5-speed Automatic is not unlike a smooth, small 6 in the mid-range (once the Variable Timing gets going), and Im getting 32 MPG so far to boot (according to the well-placed mileage guage). The dedicated manual sequential shift mode (all 5 speeds) even makes you feel like Shumacher (Ralf, if not Michael), complete with the numerical display in the dash. Im older, but not TOO old, and this fits the bill almost exactly

• 

  We love it! - 2006 Toyota Prius
  By Marion - November 1 - 5:50 pm

  We knew we wanted to take advantage of the Federal tax break and our State tax break which was no sales tax! But we figure we have saved over $500 so far this year in gas! Our other car gets 26 MPG or so, and were getting 50 MPG in our Prius. Putting on lots of miles because its so economical to drive-- and fun!

• 

  Solid car but torture to drive - 2006 Toyota Sienna
  By Dalpine - November 1 - 4:43 pm

  The lack of support in drivers seat combined with pronounced leaning into turns can result in chronic back problems. The pain is not lessened by the lumbar that feels like a football in your back. Fuel mileage extremely poor. I regret buying it.

• 

  Best car ever!!! - 2005 Toyota Camry
  By roman kaczkowski - November 1 - 2:17 pm

  Buy 2005 or 2004 camry . You will not be disappointed.

• 

  Great car - 2004 Toyota Prius
  By gary - November 1 - 8:53 am

  Bought used and love it so far.