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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  HYBRID ALL THE WAY! - 2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By danq3 - October 1 - 8:29 am

  First time hybrid buyer, just got 2012 camry hybrid xle w/ full option minus blind spot monitor & hdd navi. This car demonstrates toyota is the undisputed king of Hybrid. Zippiest hybrid ever & youll never be dissapointed for lacking in power. Cruising 50-60 & need to take over a car... it will respond like it has a rocket booster, youll literally feel the boost & its a blast. It has a exceptionally refined exterior and interior however the seat are super firm esp. with leather so your butt may feel bit soar after a long ride but because the cabin is so comfortable otherwise minor discomfor w/ soar bum is easily forgotten. All important real world Mpg is 37 city 42 hwy so far...

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  Good Car - 2005 Toyota Matrix
  By Always Working - October 1 - 4:06 am

  This was my first all-wheel-drive vehicle, and today was my first day in the snow. This was an excellent choice for me as its a solid, reliable car with some panache and good affordability (dont like spending a bundle on cars). Cargo area is surpisingly useful for a compact. Interior is not luxurious but fun and utilitarian. Good cup holders and a cubby just right for a garage door opener is included.

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  If You Test Drive It..Youll Buy it! - 2006 Toyota Avalon
  By Mike Griffin - October 1 - 2:00 am

  I was looking for a family size sedan with enough room for 3 in the back seat for the long haul. (We have 3 kids). We came close to buying a Camry SE, but the center seat and leg room in the back was not enough. The Avalon is loaded with features you will only find in a $45,000 car. Youd be crazy to buy a Lexus, with the new Avalon available.

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  Great car - 2005 Toyota Avalon
  By james - September 30 - 9:50 pm

  Just purchased the 05 limited model, excellent power, nice interior features, real nice ride. The paint buffs out real nice, lots of depth and great shine even on the light color. Real solid feel to the ride.

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  My 4x4 SR5 4Runner is great! - 1999 Toyota 4Runner
  By pius222 - September 30 - 6:40 pm

  Bought it used in 2007 with 130000 miles at a used car lot. Now has 18xxxx miles. Still runs strong. As long as you do the regular maintenance. This 4runner will run forever. The cloth interior is still great as I put a cushion on driver seat, a dash cover keeps the dash from cracking. The blue paint still shines as it is always garaged. Only used 4WD once in a muddy situation. The only drawback is the engine is kind of weak in this day and age IMO.

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  Worthwhile Avalon notes - 2005 Toyota Avalon
  By Richard Gaines - September 30 - 2:00 pm

  The 05 Avalon is a fantastic automobile. It is powerful, comfortable and a joy to drive. We just came back from a 1500 mile trip, loaded down with a trunk full and two full sized adults in front. Speeds were in the range of 75 to 80 and our mpg was 27 on average. I could easily make the rated 31 with a lighter weight and speed below 70. The only problem was the door to the CD player/am/fm stuck closed the entire 8 days. It worked fine for a day after we returned then failed to open again.One thing to be careful of is the very low curb clearance below the front bumper. There should be a replaceable rub strip along the bottom. I left a lot of "Blizzard Pearl" paint on an Applebees high curb.

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  Im satisfied! - 2001 Toyota Corolla
  By big fan - September 30 - 1:43 pm

  Have had my 2001 LE with 4-speed automatic almost 4 years and I can honestly say Im 100% satisfied with the car - the mileage is very good, checked it today and I got 31.3 mpg on my last tank - car handles well and the engine is quiet - I did have to replace the blower motor at 22,000 miles but luckily it was still under warranty - if I had to to it over Id get the same car only a different color - dark colors show everything -

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  Smooth Operator - 2003 Toyota Sequoia
  By Mario A - September 30 - 10:00 am

  This SUV is so smooth and quiet...feels like youre riding in a Lexus (former owner of an RX300 and SC400). At the same time, the body feels very sturdy. The 4.7L V8 pulls surprisingly strong considering its conservative HP and torque.

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  great car! - 2004 Toyota Celica
  By lisamarie - September 30 - 10:00 am

  The toyota celica is great to drive, it handles like no other.

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  Toyota Matrix 2004 - 2004 Toyota Matrix
  By rmcswain72 - September 30 - 10:00 am

  I really love this car. Its versatile, has great gas mileage, and a nice sporty look.