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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  A Keeper - 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
  By Design Professional - February 20 - 3:36 am

  Since purchasing our Toyota Highlander Hybrid in December of 2007, weve driven nearly 9,000 miles. The car sees cold and snow when we visit Colorado in the winter and extreme heat when we visit Arizona in the summer. It is comfortable in both extremes. Very good in snow and ice, and quite at home on Mexico beaches. Weve averaged 26-27 MPG with little effort, but we do drive somewhat slower with gas at $4.00. The interior features are a little more than we desired, but we wanted leather seating. The backup camera is hard to see when its sunny and we have a small hard to detect rattle in the dash. Were sure Toyota will find the rattle and well keep the car until it has a plug-in accessory

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  Great Car! - 2010 Toyota Yaris
  By John - February 20 - 2:40 am

  I bought this car (had about 18 miles on it) and the very same day drove about 800 miles in a single day. I think a lot of the posters here exaggerate a bit on the gas mileage as I am getting roughly about 32 mpg before the fuel gauge starts blinking. Not bad but that was mainly highway driving. Drove it back another 800 miles and getting the same results. Of course, I had the AC going on the entire time which can affect the mpg. The interior did not have really nice quality materials but what do you expect from a $13k car. The engine was great and very zippy but also at the same time, extremely loud. You can feel the bumps and roaring of the engine. Overall, a great car.

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  Better than Honda! - 2005 Toyota Sienna
  By ARM - February 19 - 6:50 pm

  Test drove the 2005 Honda Odyssey and then drove the 2005 Sienna and purchased the Sienna CE with 8 passenger seating. My wife loves it! Toyota has done well...

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  A great truck! - 2006 Toyota Tacoma
  By ETAYLOR - February 19 - 6:43 pm

  I traded my 98 f-150 for a 06 Tacoma with the TRD package.I spent 6 months pricing and researching various trucks before chosing the tacoma. I have been impressed with this truck from the first test dive I took. The ride is great, it feels like a mid-size sedan, very smooth on the freeway with little outside noise. The interior finish is impressive, everything is well laid out,I love the red gauges and the interior storage.I can see myself in this truck for the next 5-10 years!

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  135,000 miles and still going strong! - 1997 Toyota 4Runner
  By Adam - February 19 - 4:26 pm

  Im the second owner of this awesome SUV, and its been a pleasure to own. My wife and I purchased the vehicle with 98k miles, drove it across the US to California, and since then its taken us on many a trip on the west coast. Great off road (excellent ground clearance). Sometimes wish for more power, but the gas mileage is great so I cant complain too much. Great vehicle!

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  2004 Sienna LE AWD - 2004 Toyota Sienna
  By RAMFJ62 - February 19 - 4:20 pm

  Ive owned several Toyota vehicles and never had the troubles encountered with this vehicle. My primary complaint is that the AWD van came with Dunlop run flat tires. These wore out at about 11,000 miles. Toyota replaced the first set due to all the complaints with the premature tire wear wearing. The transmission has a mind of its own. It hesitates at times (usually between 5-10 mph). Its been reprogrammed by the dealer one time thus far. Drivers side wind noise is problematic. We average about 17 mpg.

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  2016 Tacoma is Poor overall - 2016 Toyota Tacoma
  By JR - February 19 - 4:04 pm

  I have had two Tacomas prior to this 2016 and it seems that they have gone down the drain as far as quality. I have this truck for 6 Months and it has been in shop more then I have driven it. issue with the radio it went completely out and it took a month to repair. Noise coming from the right drivers side top dash. it has gone in two time is for the same issue and this will be the third time. Not happy at all with this Tacoma I been a loyal fan of the Tacoma this was my 4th Tacoma but sadly to say that it will be my last. Thinking of trading this one in and getting an American truck.

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  Best ever - 2005 Toyota Tacoma
  By DARRELL BLOCH - February 19 - 9:36 am

  My second Toyota truck. First went 287,000 miles! Extremely good power train and excellent brakes. Very good mid-range torque and a very quiet ride even at 75 mph.

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  Best Car Yet - 2005 Toyota Avalon
  By GB - February 19 - 7:10 am

  Outstanding car. Was also looking at Cadillac but came across Avalon by chance. Took 1 test drive and never looked back. Great power, very roomy (including back seats) and spectacular dash design. Push-button start and door locks are best idea since the Model T. I will never go back to a "key" car again. Absolutely the best luxury car value on the market.

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  Still hard to beat after 7 years and nearly 100,000 miles - 2004 Toyota Highlander
  By bbimmer7 - February 19 - 4:47 am

  I received my 04 Highlander in 2010 from my mother when she purchased her new BMW X3. It was a great family car when it was hers and now it is a great first car for a teenage driver. Although it was a rather expensive car when bought new back in 12/2003, reliability has been excellent over the past 7 years, and very little money has had to have been put into it. Interior comfort and fit & finish quality are excellent. Exterior styling is a bit too boring for my tastes. Overall, Im really happy with my Highlander. Its a solid vehicle with so many great features, and its a great first car!