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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  After 5,000 miles - 2009 Toyota Yaris
  By Bill - July 5 - 11:46 am

  The 2 reasons I bought this car is reliability & economy. After 5,000 miles Im getting 41.6 mpg, the a/c put our 40 degree of cold air today when the outside temp was 107. Back in Jan. this cars heater put out 182 degrees when the outside temp was 45 I am very pleasantly surprised at how efficient the a/c is on a very hot day here in Phoenix, Arizona. My only complaint is the lame squeak that is the HORN & the multiple reflections off the rear window from headlights behind me, at night.

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  1999 Toyota Sienna CE 4 Dr Van - 1999 Toyota Sienna
  By Jblieu - July 4 - 11:20 pm

  This has been a very reliable vehicle. We bought this van used with 34000 miles on it. Although it is a CE it has many upgrades such as tinted windows, an upgraded CD system, etc. It currently has around 182000 on it and we have had no problems. It is a smaller van, which I happen to like, but it is laid out well inside. You can fit a surprising amount of luggage or groceries in the back, and you can stow things under the seats. The two sliding doors are great - no worrying about climbing and reaching car seats. If you are looking for a low maintenance reliable mini-van I highly recommend the 99 Sienna.

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  M next car will be again a Higlinder - 2007 Toyota Highlander
  By Olga MA - July 4 - 9:10 pm

  I got my Highlander pre- owned/certified and drove it 40.000 in 1.5 year. It gives about 24-25 MPG. This is my first Toyota. I used to own only American cars but none of them lasted more than 100.000. LOVE this car. It’s comfortable drive, super reliable. I have over 65.000 miles on this car and she sounds like new. I love the space, I love I have a small sailboat and I can put it on top and howl it to the beach, I love it has a hatchback (not a swing out back-door as Rav4). What I don’t love: The radio. Its cheap. The interior fabric is cheap/poor quality. The arm supports are short. I barely can rest my elbow & I am normal height. The cars outside its thin.

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  Car is great, but sucks too - 2011 Toyota Camry
  By slick_willie - July 4 - 7:50 pm

  Attention. The manual is crappy in 1-2 or 2-3. It just is a bad combination to have the wallowy suspension and clutch be not smooth. The only way it is decent is if you are trying to use it like a racecar, but most people dont drive to 4000 rpm and then shift. Cupholders.. This car is TERRIBLE. If you take a trip and have a cooler,, forget it. You drink a can of coke for you and your passenger. When you want another one? Where can you put it? NOWHERE. on my honda, I can put 4 cans under the radio (zero for the camry) I can also put 6 cans in the door. ZERO for the camry. The door storage is worthless except for a paperback book. in 3rd -6th gear.. I love it.

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  Kudos to Crossovers - 2003 Toyota Matrix
  By runinbob - July 4 - 2:00 am

  The Matrix combines the best of looks, function and economy with bullet-proof Toyota reliability. i have downsized from a truck and find the flexibility of the cargo hold perfect for my needs which includes camping, home improvement chores and daily commuting. Interior space is deceiving based on the vehicles exterior dimensions. I have owned the car for 4 weeks and have gotten 30 mpg, right in the middle of the estimated city/highway mpg. All in all a great buy and a solid drivng experience. The only downside is a lack of power. It didnt make sense however to ante up for the bigger engine with only 5 lb-ft more torque at such ridiculous RPMs.

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  meets needs - 2011 Toyota Tacoma
  By smalltown - July 3 - 6:14 pm

  I just bought it a week ago. So it has relatively few miles. But I drove it after a freezing rain and snow. The limited slip differential made a huge difference from a Ford Ranger and Chevy S-10 we had before (all 2WD). The seat is firm enough and offered good support. Maybe because of my size, the right outside mirror creates a huge blind spot at intersections. So short drivers beware.

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  8 Years with Sienna - 1999 Toyota Sienna
  By Earl H. Conrad - July 3 - 4:49 am

  I have owned my 99 for 8 years. The brakes seem to last a long time, but I am on my 4th alternator. Two exterior door handles broke off. What I dont like is not being able to turn off the headlights, I need more leg room, and I dont like the radio tuning. But at 203,000 miles it has been overall reliable. It has outlasted my Ford and Chevy vans by 65,000 miles already. And I replaced the AC system twice. Maybe a screen in the grill would protect it from stones which cause leaks. Update: The latch handle on the back hatch door broke again.

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  Prius is worth the wait - 2004 Toyota Prius
  By Jean Mc Manamy - July 2 - 10:00 am

  I heartily recommend it for its environmental impact, its comfort, its reliability, and its utility.

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  Basic Transportation - 2002 Toyota Corolla
  By lawoody - July 2 - 10:00 am

  This corolla S is not the most exciting, but compared to my other cars (audi/bmw) is built superior. In 33K, it has required ZERO maintenance costs. Just oil changes and it gets 30mpg mix driving. The S version is much nicer and the interior is pretty good. Handling is only ok. Resale value is very high. Great student car.

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  Not an SUV person - 2007 Toyota RAV4
  By kennj - July 2 - 2:36 am

  My wife got this car to replace her Ford Windstar. The car handles well and is nice to drive but I think it is uncomfortable on trips of more than 3 hours. We visit our daughter at college, a 3 to 4 hour trip each way and the seats just dont provide the comfort for that kind of trip. The van was so much better. The radio is also not up to par, they should have provided something better on a vehicle in this price range.