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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  BEST MINIVAN BY FAR! - 2004 Toyota Sienna
  By CAILEYANN - March 6 - 10:00 am

  I LOVE MY 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA.IT LOOKS GREAT,RUNS GREAT.GREAT ACCLERATION AND POWER.THE INTERIOR IS ROOMY AND PLENTY OF STORAGE ROOM IN THE BACK. I WOULDNT TRADE MY SIENNA FOR ANY OTHER MINIVAN OUT THERE.THIS IS MY SECOND SIENNA THE LAST ONE WAS GREAT ,BUT TOYOTA WENT ALL OUT ON THE REDESIGNED 2004,GREAT JOB TOYOTA!

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  Old Persons Car - 2004 Toyota Camry
  By Honest One - March 6 - 10:00 am

  Toyotas top of the line sports edition with the 3.3 liter (225hp) engine needs some fine tuning. Toyota should replace the current 5 speed transmission. The trans should be propelling the car forward and not shifting from 1st to 2nd gear at 8mph. Pick-up is compromised due to the low 8mph shifting. It would be nice to keep pace with mini-vans and compact cars from stop lights. Obviously people who rave about this 5 speed transmission have never driven a real drivers car.

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  very sporty - 2005 Toyota Camry
  By tzn - March 6 - 10:00 am

  When i saw the o5 camry SE V6 i just fell in love wiht it....even thought i was in the middle of comparing it with the accord(research), i knew this car was the winner, and after i test drove the car, i was 110% sure i was getting this car.

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  Loved this car UNTIL... LOST ALL OIL! - 2006 Toyota Avalon
  By Terry A - March 6 - 6:16 am

  I loved my Avalon, but now have lost all confidence in its reliability. On an out of state trip an oil hose developed a pin-hole leak. There was no indicator or light alert. We still have not gotten all repairs done, but will cost min $2500!!! (of course out of warranty with approx 101,000 miles).

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  A Great, Reliable Vehicle - 2005 Toyota RAV4
  By tuttman - March 6 - 5:21 am

  Purchased new in 2005. Good power and performance. Gas mileage was as listed until year 2-3. Now averaging 22-23 MPG, but not bad for an AWD. Now after almost 7 years and 69,000 miles, its never needed anything but normal maintenance. Extremely satisfied with my RAV4. Brakes lasted almost 60,000 miles w/auto transmission! Paint and interior still in almost like new condition. The only issue is an exhaust "growl" at low RPMs. Not a big deal. Road noise is a bit loud, but the stereo works great to cover that. I love this car and would highly recommend it.

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  Transmission - 2006 Toyota Avalon
  By Mac - March 6 - 2:20 am

  Love my Avalon. Had a Camry and always wanted an Avalon but didnt like the style of the previous model. The design on this car is impressive and gets a lot of nods.

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  A little scary on the Mountains - 2010 Toyota Prius
  By MJ - March 6 - 1:33 am

  First off I love the car. Ive driven about 8k miles and Ive changed the oil once and disabled the reverse Beep by the dealership. I traded in my 2000 Lexus GS and Im in love with the money Ive saved.Gas mileage 48 HW, 51 City. It took the car about 2k miles to break in. I dislike the following: sunshade, Navi (can not input while driving), no lumbar seating, cheap interior materials. I love everything else. This car has more room than my Lexus. I dont have the same confidence when driving on mountains/rain/wind. I tend to slow down because I dont trust the car yet. Perfect for under 300 mile trips! Excellent small bus car! Perfect for commutes, I dont even drive my 2008 MDX anymore!

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  This car is the best - 2004 Toyota Corolla
  By eric - March 6 - 1:20 am

  Ive hit so many things like curbs and walls, and there was never any damage to the car what so ever.

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  380,000 and Still Going !!!!! - 2003 Toyota RAV4
  By Rav-Fan - March 5 - 10:44 pm

  Bought my Rav4L new 12 plus yrs.ago. Most dependable vehicle I have ever owned. Drove it for over 800 miles a wk for work. Starts in sub-zero weather, when our expensive vehicles would not. Maintenace cost almost nothing. Usual stuff....tires,got 109,000 out of one set, battery, brakes, wiper blades etc. this vehicle has saved me a fortune !!! Im retired and now my trusted vehicle is used for leisure, golf trips, ballgames etc. If I covered the odometer, you would think the vehicle has less than 50 K. Going to buy my wife a 2016 Rav, safe, dependable, fun to drive.

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  TAKEN FOR GRANTED - 1999 Toyota 4Runner
  By res3 - March 5 - 9:44 pm

  I bought my 4runner in 05 with 130k miles on it and didnt blink, now i have 245k miles and have only put a starter on it(are you kidding me). This is the best toyota yet and i have owned 5 toyotas and currently drive a Echo for the gas mileage and it has 190k on it and still running strong. I think about other vehicals but always stay with ol 4runner because it has always been there for me and i look to break the 300k with this truck.