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:

• 

  Not Toyotas Finest Effort - 2008 Toyota Camry
  By Detectivejojima - January 8 - 7:51 pm

  The car overall is a good car for everyday transportation. Quiet, comfortable and reliable. Not exciting, nor fun to drive, but it does the job. Weak points are struts, which had to be replaced around 40k. Small leaks and very soft, just too soft, and not under warranty. Needed to replace power booster on brakes around 150k. First time on any car Ive owned. Those are expensive fixes. Also, now at 175k mileage, smoke comes out of exhaust when 1st starting in morning, regardless of weather. My mechanic says oil burn, but oil does not drop between oil changes, so not much oil burn, if that is what is causing smoke. But still runs great, no other major problems and I guess its been overall a reliable Toyota, but below my other experiences with my 5 other Toyotas over the years.

• 

  1999 Camry CE 286K - 1999 Toyota Camry
  By smprescott2010 - January 8 - 2:47 pm

  I have a 1999 4cyl CE that now has 286K and runs very well. Recently replaced the timing belt and gaskets as it started leaking pretty bad. I recently drove it from Wisconsin to California and back with no problems. Toyota did a great job with this vehicle!

• 

  Toyota Quality Continues - 2006 Toyota 4Runner
  By Bill - January 8 - 2:20 pm

  Great gas mileage for a larger V-6. A recent long trip yielded a 21 MPG average. I love the torque, it goes when you want it to. Nice interior, well designed and user friendly. Highway noise is minimal, if any. Added features from the dealership, like tinted windows, compass mirror, and signal side mirrors add to the comfort and luxury of this mid size SUV. Toyota continues to produce high quality, dependable, affordable products for the American driver.

• 

  Best SUV - 2005 Toyota Sequoia
  By susan - January 8 - 10:20 am

  Owned since Dec. and love everything about it! Comfortable seating for everyone and great looks! Its like driving in your lazy boy...this suv is awesome!

• 

  Dependable & Reliable - 2004 Toyota 4Runner
  By Japs Cool - January 8 - 2:10 am

  There are only two words for this vehicle. DEPENDABLE. RELIABLE. No other can ever compete with that.

• 

  2007 Camry SE V6 - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By Bob - January 8 - 1:03 am

  I just bought this car last week and have fallen in love with it. Loaded this puppy up with every feature and have been very happy. Drives much better than the other Camrys as the suspension is more taut. 17" wheels are very nice looking and the navigation system works like a charm. Just rid of my 2002 BMW for this car. Toyota makes a much better car and the sporty characteristics of this one make the drive just as good. Gas mileage is also amazing for a car with 270 HP!!!

• 

  Toyota Hybrids still rule - 2005 Toyota Prius
  By Owner of Two Hybrids - January 7 - 10:30 pm

  Excellent car except for expectation of better mileage has been a miserable failure. We also own a 2002 Prius and its mileage per gallon is close to the Prius 04. Both average between 37 to 41 miles per gallon. The 2002 has about 20,000 miles, while the 2004 has just under 10,000. Sharp turning radius is great. Steering and suspension the best of any car Ive ever owned. Its too bad the rating is so far off and is still being used on the new window stickers.

• 

  Love my 4 Runner - 2000 Toyota 4Runner
  By Craig - January 7 - 9:06 pm

  This is a great truck. It has never given me any problems, soild as a rock. It looks great, has more than enough space, drives well on the road, what else can I say? The best vehicle I have ever owned without a doubt. Much more reliable than my parents Dodge or Jimmy SUV/trucks. Very capable off road as well. I have several pictures of my 4 Runner pulling out the very stuck Jeep of my good friend. Even my dog loves to stick his head out of the sunroof while driving through town. The only negative is that it is pretty thirsty when it comes to the pumps but that is the price you pay for the weight and big rubber.

• 

  First Toyota - 2006 Toyota Corolla
  By Mary Earman - January 7 - 7:56 pm

  Wish that my Corolla would get better gas mileage. I have had it for a month and now get 24 miles to the gallon. Hopefully, after it is broken in, it will do better. The reason I purchased it was to save on gas and good resale and durability. I plan to keep it a long time. Should have gotten automatic door locks because it is impossible to get into the back seat with a key. It does get blown around on the highway a bit. Does great around town! I really do like my new car.

• 

  Fuel Economy Disappoints - 2005 Toyota Camry
  By cwa - January 7 - 6:26 am

  This model is up to Toyotas standards in build quality and reliability, but it suffers in comparison with my 98 Camry 4 (and my wifes former 97) in two respects. The engine is louder under acceleration, producing a very audible roar, and the fuel economy is less. The 97 and 98, EPA rated at 23/30, achieved 22/31. The 05, EPA rated 24/34, is getting 20/30 at best. If it werent for the clearly inflated EPA rating, my disappointment would be less. Additionally, the dashboard display of avg mpg is consistently 5-6 mpg too high. If it says 36, Im getting 30; if it says 24, Im getting 19. Makes me think Im getting EPA mileage when Im not. How convenient for Toyota!