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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  Great Sequoia - 2002 Toyota Sequoia
  By Jim M - February 29 - 5:43 am

  Excellent vehicle to drive. Lot of fun on the wide open mountain roads of New Hampshire. Everyone that see the SUV loves the style!!

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  Love it. - 2002 Toyota Tacoma
  By Ryan - February 29 - 12:03 am

  4 doors are great and I dont find the size of the bed to be an issue. Reliable, handles well, especially in snow. Not the most comfortable ride on bumpy dirt roads, but fine on the highway. I highly recommend it.

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  Good Solid Value - 2009 Toyota Highlander
  By James Van - February 28 - 11:53 pm

  Traded a 2003 Ford Explorer for this car. Plenty of room inside for people who are tall and larger in size. Rides very nicely and car handles the road good. The 6cyl gives you plenty of power. Inside interior is nicely laid out.

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  Great Trip Car - 2008 Toyota Sienna
  By Bob Ricci - February 28 - 8:50 pm

  Have owned the car for slightly over 2 years. Over-the-road driving is very comfortable with plenty of cabin space and power. This van with a 266 hp engine has a lot of pep! Fuel economy is nominal. The engine is noisy however but dealer says its normal for the type of motor used.

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  The Matrix shines in winter time! - 2005 Toyota Matrix
  By Kim - February 28 - 8:20 pm

  Ive had it for a year and a half and it has been great, especially in the winter time. In the snow, I rarely spin my tires on a steep driveway or at a stop sign on an incline. The car has great control overall. Ive never felt safer in a car before. My passengers feel safe too. I recently heard this car gets the highest marks for side-impact collision. Id believe it! You just feel taken care of inside. The only downer is that I have to replace a rear hub bearing now not even at 100,000. That was unexpected and will be pricey. Rumors of a previous recall for this model are out there, but who knows. And no warranty will cover it now. You may want to research that issue.

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  Its performance, not gas savings - 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
  By eduardo - February 28 - 8:13 pm

  I went from a Lexus RX300 to the Highlander hybrid limited. Interior luxury and amenities are pretty comparable. The driving experience and performance are far, far better. Those who ululate over the gas mileage purchased the wrong type of hybrid. They expected a Prius, but this vehicle is an SUV which combines reasonable gas mileage (and low emissions) with excellent power and handling. Its a winner.

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  Still getting to know each other - 2016 Toyota RAV4
  By Leanne Lail - February 28 - 4:56 pm

  I am loving my Rav 4 so far. Still getting to know all the extras that are new to me. Having fun with it. The gentlemen I worked with at Capital Toyota were awesome.

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  Not Spacious for the CarSeat Set - 2007 Toyota 4Runner
  By howiepc - February 28 - 4:30 pm

  We are a family of six and when it comes right down to it our decision to purchase the Toyota 4Runner came down to three main components: safety, reliability and fuel economy. We downsized from a Ford Expedition to the 4Runner because the rising gas prices were cause for concern. Overall we do not regret our choice, as there is no comparison to the quality and safety of a Toyota. We will keep our Toyota for years to come, but with a family of six it will probably be relegated to our second vehicle. We find that the 4Runner will meet our needs in a pinch as a family hauler, but trying to fit four children, two are still in car seats is uncomfortable put politely. Next time think minivan.

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  DO NOT BUY CAMRY I REPEAT - 2008 Toyota Camry
  By Honest Opinion - February 28 - 9:53 am

  This is a horrible car. All the talk about Toyota quality is really nothing more than marketing-hype. The so-called quality is NOT there. Rather, this car is riddled with many problems--some of which are really serious and dangerous. First, the transmission is really bad. It slips all the time and shifting is very poor. It could cause "unexpected" acceleration, and can cause serious accident. Second, the quality is bad. The gaps between parts (e.g., dash board) are wide and uneven. 1970 Dodge is probably better assembled than this. Ive already visited the dealership three times because of various problems. Third, dont expect any fun in driving this car. Steering is very unresponsive.

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  What an awesome vehicle! - 2010 Toyota Land Cruiser
  By D. Mann - February 27 - 4:10 pm

  I couldnt believe my eyes when I walked into American Toyota in Albuquerque and saw a 2010 Land cruiser. I knew right then that I had to have it! It is the most comfortable and quiet drive Ive ever experienced! The over sized navigation screen, the electric beverage cooler in the center console, smart key, a huge moon roof! Too much to list! Absolutely a fantastic vehicle!