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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  06 Tundra Crew - 2006 Toyota Tundra
  By apcamby - January 19 - 11:43 am

  Awesome truck, good power, great ride, very comfortable, useful features, I would recommend this truck to anyone in the large truck market.

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  Great economy car - 2011 Toyota Corolla
  By jmpaul320 - January 19 - 10:50 am

  Bought in Jan 2012 with 7 miles on the clock. I have put over 82,000 miles on the car since (70/30 highway/city). Only routine maintenance, no issues with anything whatsoever. Original brakes/tires lasted nearly 70k. I average 37mpg combined commuting ~430 miles per week. Overall very happy with this car - the newer corollas I have driven as loaners seem a bit more cheaply built compared to the 11.

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  I LOVE MY CAR - 2004 Toyota Corolla
  By kdbmorgan - January 19 - 7:30 am

  I love this little car! I bought it because I drive 60 miles one way to work and needed something with good gas mileage, and ended up liking everything about the car. I actually get about 38 mpg city/hwy, but mostly highway miles which is wonderful with the cost of gas now. Great car for the price so far.

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  2005 Is Refined above 04,03,02 - 2005 Toyota Camry
  By Dealer - January 19 - 4:36 am

  I have owned a 05,04, and 02 Camry LE 4cycl. I am a Honda Accord fan, owned may Accords , some to 220k mi, so am not being bias to the Camry. But Toyota ha s built a great car! The 05 ha s anti lock breaks and the sponginess of the front breaks have been tweaked in 05, this is a common compliant from myself, friends and other reviewers. Yet in 05 they have tuned up the suspension to compensate for the soft rid e to the braking. My favorite car to date is a 1997 Lexus Es 300, I must say that the 05 Camry has many similarities, soaks up bumps, rattle free and decent real world handling between soft ride and decent handling. This car is GREAT on mileage , 22-24 city 30-38 hwy

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  Good basic truck - 1996 Toyota Tacoma
  By mountain guy - January 19 - 2:00 am

  For a reliable basic truck the little Tacoma is tough to beat.

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  Too much money, too many problems - 2001 Toyota Tundra
  By Carl Hazleton - January 19 - 2:00 am

  My Tundra is BAD,BAD,BAD on gas! About 10 miles to the gallon! Shifts like crap! 2 sets of brakes in 25000 miles! The brakes have no feel to them. THe truck has NO torqe under 3000 rpm. Not good at all for pulling even with only 500 lbs in the bed! The truck has used 4 rear Tires due to wheel spin under load. 30300 dollars spent on truck"not worth it!".Motor World is a very unfriendly dealership to add to my pain. I should have bought a Ford. Toyta should not build full size trucks and Motor World should not sell them! My Pontiac Trans AM got better mileage with a 400hp 455ci motor and would out tow this truck any day! I DO NOT RECOMEND THIS TRUCK TO REAL TRUCK GUYS!

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  Buy this car.. - 2002 Toyota Corolla
  By jbintegra - January 19 - 2:00 am

  My LIFE is driving. I annually put around 40,000 miles on vehicles, and as an avid older Porsche collector, I demand satisfaction. My Integra with 376,850 actual miles (original VERY tired engine) finally croaked. Found the "S", liked it, and got the 0% financing. I am in LOVE with this car- the "squishy/squealy tires" and soft suspension are exactly what I need for my job. Indeed, I am 510 and 135 lbs, so the seat-comfort complaints might be valid for larger drivers. What I love is how quiet it is, the impeccable build quality, the ample power and the incredible gas mileage (39.6 avg). Turn the key and drive it for 10 years. I trust it.

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  very good but very thirsty - 2003 Toyota Tundra
  By Okie - January 19 - 2:00 am

  This is a very good truck. My previous truck was a 98 GMC Z71. This truck is somewhat smaller but has significantly higher build quality. The gas mileage is extremely disappointing; it is as bad as the GMC which also stinks.

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  Great little SUV - 2003 Toyota RAV4
  By SA174 - January 19 - 2:00 am

  So far it has been a great little SUV. Some have said the finish was not as good as other toyotas? We find it comparable to our Sequoia which is excellent.

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  Not the greatest family vehicle - 2003 Toyota 4Runner
  By Pilotboy03 - January 19 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle is very powerful and drives pretty nice although some extra space and comfort is needed.