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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  Lexus Wana Be - 2005 Toyota Avalon
  By Lesie for less - March 5 - 10:16 pm

  Going from an LS 430 to the Avalon was a no brainer at half the price the ride is similar. The interior is bigger, just as comfortable for the driver with all the same toys as LS 430 with the nav, cooling seats and laser cruise, regular gas and wow wow wow what a gas mileage - 24 overall current on 87 octane cooooooollll. Dont push the trunk button while driving, the trunk will open, bad fault. Its too close to the rear sun blocking auto privacy screen.Overall its a buy-it for sure.

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  good decision - 2006 Toyota RAV4
  By happydriver - March 5 - 10:40 am

  I took a big step by going from a Corolla to a Rav4 but I am convinced I made the right decision. The Rav is excellent from front to back. I did my homework and compared it to CRV but in the end, RAV won. Plenty of space and very comfortable.

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  Great with One Caveat - 2006 Toyota 4Runner
  By wilkins - March 5 - 8:33 am

  Our 05 4Runner has been pretty much as advertised. Its extremely well built inside and out, has a smooth and quiet ride, and the V8 powers the truck effortlessly. My one beef is that it has a steady vibration in the steering wheel from the drive train... not a shimmy or the road... you can feel the vibration when accelerating and in overdrive. I dont think all 4Runners have it... be on the lookout for it when you test drive.

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  6 Months Later.. Still Love It!! - 2007 Toyota Tundra
  By FordInAToyota - March 4 - 8:40 pm

  Its been 6 months since we purchased our 07 in April 08. And we have no regrets. We dont haul anything big like trailers, but we do a lot of activities like paddling, fishing, diving, surfing and wanted something that was nice, reliable and could go anywhere. The truck is thirsty and living on Maui with no freeways probably doesnt help fuel consumption. However we did choose the Bigger V8 for fun and not fuel consumption. Taken the 4x4 TRD off road and I have not had to put it into 4 LOW. Truck is too wide to get into areas that most jeeps can get too. Ive put 10,000 miles in 6 months and changed the oil twice. No problems to report of. A good buy. Gets a lot of oohs/ahs.

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  Great car to keep for a long time! - 2005 Toyota Corolla
  By Wendy - March 4 - 2:10 pm

  This is my first car I bought and so far I love it. My mother had 3 corollas and loved them all. Great car if you like to save on gas. Cheap to fix. I love my 2005 corolla has a sporty look with spoiler and grille guards on the side. I drive a manual corolla it kind of takes long to accelerate when going up on a hill but runs great. I really recommend buying this car you wont regret it.

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  AWESOME - 2002 Toyota Sequoia
  By CHRIS - March 3 - 7:40 pm

  FUN TO DRIVE...OUTSTANDING HANDLING...OVERALL SIZE IS PERFECT

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  Love it! - 2003 Toyota 4Runner
  By Jen - March 3 - 4:30 pm

  I bought this car w/121,000 miles on it - I use it basically for winter driving and to tow our boats, sea-doos etc. - I have a summer car - but you know what - I prefer an SUV. It now has 131,000 on it and I hope, hope, hope it lasts for 300,000 miles...!! :) V8 power is great, gas mileage, well its a v8, what can I say, but thats ok - I dont know about the snow yet, will be my first winter w/it but sure it will be just fine. - need to learn about downhill assist and vsc.

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  2011 Avalon - 2011 Toyota Avalon
  By Bill - March 3 - 4:13 pm

  Ive had a 1999 Avalon for the last 8 years, so Im already a fan of the brand. Ordered the Avalon from the dealer, requesting Cypress Pearl/Ivory with upgraded stereo and 5 pc mat set only. It ended up taking a little over 2 months from order date, 45 days if youre counting from build date. The car was definitely worth waiting for. The thing that strikes me most is the quietness in the cabin, whether on a city street, county road, or highway. The quality of workmanship is excellent. The exterior is pleasing yet not exactly attention grabbing true, but I dont really need attention, didnt buy the car for that. The interior is more important to me, and Im very happy with that.

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  love our toyota - 1998 Toyota Avalon
  By wilsons - March 3 - 10:00 am

  rides smooth, for 4 cylinder has good pick up, good gas mileage around town

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  MATRIX XR....WORTH EVERY PENNY! - 2004 Toyota Matrix
  By LeashaNAaron - March 3 - 10:00 am

  Let me tell you! I have never had such a fun car...I get noticed in it all the time and it might have something to do with the Solar Yellow color...but I am telling you its the BEST car I have ever owned...its Sooooo fun to drive, and its unbelievably comfortable too! It is worth every penny! GO GET ONE! Smoooooooooooooth ride!