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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  Fun Car/GR8 MPG - 2010 Toyota Yaris
  By Doug - January 13 - 4:40 pm

  Fun car to drive. Three fill ups to date: 36.7, 37.7 and 38.7 MPG. Lots of room. Pretty smooth ride. Got a GR8 deal and 5 Year 0% financing. Whats not to like! An absolute winner! Wife thinks its "really cute."

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  Just buy it! - 2002 Toyota MR2 Spyder
  By Roger - January 13 - 2:13 pm

  A blast to drive, even more fun to drive than the 87 MR2 that I drove for ten years straight. A fellow latest generation MR2 owner said "You dont get in this car, you put it on". That is just the beginning of having a incredible time every moment in one of the finer engineered products on the market today. If youre doing your research, ignore those who complain about not enough storage space, HELLO- this is a sports car. There are also those who cry about not enough power, 0-60 in under seven seconds, my 2002 has all of the power I need. Others need to spend more time learning how to use the great handling & the advantages of state-of-the-art engineering.

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  Great buy-no surprises - 2007 Toyota 4Runner
  By doug - January 13 - 11:16 am

  I traded in a 2001 SR5 4Runner which I had purchased new. The style, and additional room inside and out makes this a far nicer ride than the 2001. I am averaging 20.1 mpg, with the majority of miles being local. This is better than the old 4Runner, even though there was a boost of 30hp in the V6 engine.This is my third 4Runner, and I have never experienced any problems with any of them. I see no need to ever get rid of this 07, since Toyota offers unsurpassed reliability, and this 4Runner offers everything that I need.

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  I have been converted - 2007 Toyota RAV4
  By Rav4lover - January 13 - 10:43 am

  My wife and I had been test driving cars for months. The entire time I was shying away from Toyota becase of thier vanilla reputation. You know reliable but kind of bland. Once I drove the V6 4wd sport, WOW! I count myself as one of the converted. You can feel each and every one of the 269 horses. The suspension on the sport model is stiff and sporty but comfortable. Fit and finish is very solid. We drove the competition, Mazda CX-7 and Honda CR-V. I liked both but neither combined the functionality and fun factor better than the RAV4. Now that I have now driven this vehicle in varying Wisconsin weather conditions and I havent driven anything more stable in poor road conditions either.

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  Good value for the money - 2007 Toyota Corolla
  By Biff - January 13 - 8:43 am

  Positives: Classic and classy exterior. Quiet and comfortable interior. This car is peppy on the start, smooth on the braking. Excellent fit and finish. Turns corners very easily and quickly. Excellent gas mileage. Short enough to parallel park in city. Negatives: cheap plastic storage slots under radio waste space; drink holders awkward to use, spill onto seats, should be under radio; radio control too complex, too many FM buttons; rear headrests block drivers view; antenna easy to steal, should power retract; needs flat surface for food/small objects in lieu of bulky container under armrest; driver-side piller creates blind spot. For $15,363 a very good value.

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  Great SUV - 1997 Toyota 4Runner
  By monica garcia - January 12 - 5:46 pm

  I purchased this with 111000 miles. It is now at 196,000 miles. Ive only replaced timing belt, $900 brakes often (due to oversize tires and going up and down the mountain) otherwise just oil changes. One small problem lately is check engine light comes on when gas gauge shows around a quarter of a tank. Mechanic said it could be just the gas cap. Ive been told the ride in the back seat is rough but I havent replaced the shocks nor do I know if they had been done before I bought it. For the last year I have had the roof and hood area start to peel but I have never had it waxed either. I will probably end up painting these areas when they get worse.

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  Was great until 60K - 2004 Toyota Corolla
  By NYCHr - January 12 - 10:50 am

  I bought the car new in 2003 as a 2004 model. It ran great and had a great MPG in mid 30s w/ low maintenance until 60K, then everything - one by one broke down. The serpentine belt, left rear wheel, radiator and rear wheel bearing that required entire hub assembly to be replaced. The ran mostly highway in the NE. I wont be buying another Toyota for a while. It feels as it is only built to last 60K, then things break down one by one. With the Toyota recall all over the news, I am starting to wonder about the build quality. Oh, the paint chips at 30-40K miles. The noise is unacceptably high as compared to my new elantra.

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  NICE CAR - 2011 Toyota Avalon
  By JACK AARESTAD - January 12 - 6:26 am

  No problems since purchaced--low tire light came on ---checked the tires all ok---called Toyota and the answered did you check the spare tire? Who would think to do that!---that was the problem

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  Eats 2 qts oil every 1000 mi. - 2001 Toyota MR2 Spyder
  By David - January 12 - 4:50 am

  Driving has been just fine, nice handling, somewhat anemic power, but adequate. Engine eats 2 qts of oil every 1000 miles, and oil has been changed at a dealership every 3000 miles, but Toyota Extra Care is trying to deny warranty. Car is bone stock, always maintained, and because I didnt just run it out of oil like everyone else does, Im getting penalized. I should mention, Ive worked for Toyota for 13 years. Way to take care of your people, guys.

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  LOVE IT!!! - 2008 Toyota RAV4
  By yanksgrl2446 - January 11 - 8:10 pm

  I bought this car new from the dealership last year (jan. 07), and I was looking for a slight upgrade from a small sedan, and for a car with better reliability in the snow, considering I live in the Northeast. Last year didnt really snow but this year weve gotten a few big storms one with snow falling 3-4" per hour and I had absolutely no problems! the anti skid is fantastic and the 4WD kicks on automatically so I didnt have to do anything but drive! Ive driven the car down to Florida and to DC and had no problems got good gas mileage (26 MPG), I love the car and would recommend it to anyone looking for a small SUV. Its very spacious and comfortable... and it drives just like a car!