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:

• 

  Skeptical, but impressed! - 1998 Toyota Camry
  By j.halloffame - January 10 - 10:40 am

  I bought this car in 9/09 to replace my dying 91 Accord with 232k miles. The only reasons I got it was because its a well priced one owner car with 90k miles. I wasnt even considering a Camry in my entire car search. 7/10 and 25k miles later this car is still going STRONG. Only thing Ive done is my oil changes and replaced the tires. Car performs adequate, has enough storage space, and is INCREDIBLY reliable, but it is a Toyota. I plan to keep it for years to come and get it to the same mileage as my Accord had, unless I find a cheap Lexus IS 300 to buy. ;)

• 

  ELITEST - 2001 Toyota Highlander
  By hot12dog - January 10 - 9:46 am

  My 2001 highlander is the best car i have ever owned and i have bought cars for almost 60 years. As far as the engine light is concerned forget about it it, can not be fixed all you are doing is throwing money away. After wasting about $500 i realized that its a factory mistake that Toyota will not fix for that i may not buy a Toyota next time.

• 

  I luv my Tundra! - 2006 Toyota Tundra
  By mej0362 - January 10 - 7:50 am

  I have had my truck for a month now and love it. It rides like a truck but it is so quiet inside. This is the last year of this body style so I wanted to get it before it changes. I did my homework and you just cant beat a Toyota Tundra. On my first tank of gas I got 16.7 mpg, no not teriffic but hey it is a V-8 truck. It has plenty of get up and go and looks great.

• 

  Dont believe the haters - 2016 Toyota Tacoma
  By Scott B - January 10 - 12:55 am

  Tacoma is the best mid-size truck going and it rides and drives much better than the 2005-2015! Fuel economy is much improved. My older (2013) 4.0 L sucked the gas and the interior was uncomfortable. This truck feels like a Lexus! Pulls my Ranger Bass boat with ease and hits the trails in our hunting property with authority. The older truck is just that....older. The newer Atkinson Cycle motor is awesome! Handling is much improved. Buy the truck! You can believe this review, Ive driven Tacomas since they were Hiluxs!

• 

  waste of money - 2015 Toyota Camry
  By Asim - January 9 - 11:51 pm

  I bought this car in a rush.. other wise I would have prefereed same equalant model with Ford. I dont see much difference in 2015 corolla and this LE Camery 2015. which is Almost same even better (fuel economy). I am really sorry for my money I have wasted.

• 

  2nd New Cruiser and Feelin 20 Again - 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser
  By 73 Land Cruzzer - January 9 - 2:03 pm

  I bought a new 73 Land Cruiser in Burlington, Vermont and explored all the country around Plattsburg N.Y. and the Adriondacks. Then out to the Mojave Desert. Then back to the sand hills and mud of my home state Nebraska. I owned the LC for eleven years. In April of 2006, I purchased a fully loaded Black Cherry FJ Cruiser. I feel like Im 20 again and once again love to be a proud owner of a Toyota. The ride and handling are excellent and with 1000 pounds of four friends, the acceleration was still satisfactory. I took it out to Lake McConahy near Ogalala, NE. and with 100 miles of white sand beaches and the water level way down, we had a blast using the high 4x4. FJ Cruiser good times roll.

• 

  Pretty Descent - 1997 Toyota T100
  By Mooker - January 9 - 10:00 am

  My toyota has been a good little truck the only thing that has been wrong on it the brakes are not all that good and there has been a check engine sensor gone bad on it that the dealership wants 350$ dollars to fix it and that is out of the world . the truck overall i rate it at a 8.5 the truck is alsome fun to drive good power gas mileage could be a little bit better but all and all great all the way

• 

  1994 4runner - 1994 Toyota 4Runner
  By ambrown - January 9 - 10:00 am

  I work on a lot of job sites where Im there before the road and this is the perfect vehicle. It is fairly comfortable and I can pack in a large amount of equipment. The ground clearance is great too.

• 

  Good for this type of SUV - 1995 Toyota 4Runner
  By Shellina1 - January 9 - 10:00 am

  This SUV is tops in look and comfort. However, I agree that if you are looking for a car-like ride this is not the SUV for you. The ride is much like a truck. Larger,wider tires are a good option. The engine reliability and fuel economy are great in this class. The towing is not great, but the room to travel is great.

• 

  Would recommend... - 2000 Toyota Tacoma
  By JCF - January 9 - 10:00 am

  ...this truck to anyone. Bought mine in Oct 2000 and have 75k miles. Overall dependability is beyond reproach. Been tremendous fun and plan to keep it for some time ( dont care for the exterior changes on the 2001+ models).