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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  My toyoto experience - 2002 Toyota Camry
  By bjcnshreve - September 30 - 10:00 am

  My experience with my Toyota! When I first test drove my Toyota I thought it was a little bigger car then I had planned but after getting used to it I wouldnt have it any other way. IT rides so smooth and nearly drives itself! Took a trip to Florida and you could really put your little finger on the steering wheel and it did the rest.. hugged the road so good.The trunk is very spacious. I love my Toyota

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  Happy In Alpharetta, GA - 2005 Toyota Highlander
  By Francis J. Danko - September 30 - 8:30 am

  There are 445 miles between our home in Georgia and 2nd home in Florida. That trip can take any were from 7 hours to 12 hours depending on traffic, road construction, etc...! We are so pleased with the 2002 (base model) Highlander that we bought the same model in April 2005. Our older daughter needed to replace the 10 year old car she was driving and seems very happy with the 2002 Highlander we gave her. Toyota, thank you. The Danko Family.

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  feels like rx300 but half the price - 2005 Toyota Highlander
  By trigunner - September 30 - 1:46 am

  Reliable, so comfortable interior, feels like Im driving the lexus rx300 very good gas mileage, ever since I bought this suv I have never had problems. I highly highly recommend this as a great buy.

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  Best Car I Ever Owned - 1998 Toyota Corolla
  By Donna - September 29 - 7:36 pm

  I am amazed that I still have the original muffler and pipes on this car! I have it serviced regularly and never had any "surprise" problems with it. Its got over 90,000 miles, is fuel efficient and I love it because its dependable, not because its "fun to drive". Maybe Ill upgrade to the Camry next time but Im sure happy with my Corolla!

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  Owning my first toyota - 2002 Toyota Camry
  By suzees - September 29 - 4:06 pm

  I had my 02 Camry for 3 1/2 years. It was a great car -- the ride of it was my favorite. It did have issues with a creaky steering wheel; apparently an issue with most of the 02 camrys. It also developed a rattling noise in the dash on the passenger side. Other than that, it was a very fine, quality built car.

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  Absolutely the BEST MPG! - 2008 Toyota Yaris
  By Aviator - September 29 - 1:33 am

  In 75 to 85 mph on the freeway and a/c on I consistently get 41 to 43+ mpg!! And this is an auto transmission. The very best was two weeks ago in Yellowstone National park. We fueled up in Jackson Hole WY and drove to Moran junction and entered the park and later that night arrived to West Yellowstone Montana. Our speed was between 30 and 50 mph and our mileage was 60.11 mpg!! No a/c, lower speed obviously contributed to the mpg. Three other vehicles in our party and we double checked all of the figures. Before you doubt, please know that I am a pilot and do know how to calculate mpg and a whole lot more. If you want reliability and mpg, go buy the car. You will not regret!

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  Pay for what you get - 2006 Toyota Tacoma
  By seeker - September 29 - 1:26 am

  Yes the Tacoma is expensive, but you pay for what you get this day in age. The option you get with the TRD package are mind blowing. And you get the reliability of a Toyota. Need I say more. Stop researching and buy it!!!

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  Best Car Yet - 2008 Toyota Yaris
  By dsutt - September 28 - 11:43 pm

  I am very please with my Yaris. It is a manual tranny, and like others have said, get the manual if you want to make the car fun to drive. Mileage is awesome. I get 47 MPG in the warm season. It drops to about 41 in the winter. I do not baby the car to get that MPG. I accelerate to keep up with others, and usually drive +7 to 10 MPH over the limit. The brakes are solid, the electronic steering is solid, the suspension does not roll when taking corners at 30 MPH! The radio sounds great, the lights are very bright...I cant really find a fault with the car. The one thing that could be better are the front seats. My lower back tends to sink into the backrest too far.

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  06 SLE Vert... - 2006 Toyota Camry Solara
  By Bubba - September 28 - 7:33 pm

  I got mine just before the hurricane and have only 100+ mile on it. Everything works, its tight and fun to drive. The Arctic Pearl White paint with tan top is a nice combination, and people have stopped to admire the car. The only problem that I have experience is in rear visability with the top up... very bad do to the front slope of the car and the head rests which cannot be removed. One would hope that this could be resolved in some way in future models. Im coming out of a 2000 Avalon and the Solara has all the bells and whistles, and seem almost as large a car. A Lexus in Toyota badging. It was a toss up between this or a 350 Z. The Solara just makes more sence and I love it

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  Fun, Reliable Car - 2002 Toyota Camry Solara
  By Kansas - September 28 - 6:13 am

  I bought my Solara SLE new in July, 2002. Very reliable - Ive put 70,000+ miles on it but have had NO mechanical problems whatsoever. Handles well - especially on curves. Average about 26- 27 MPG on highway. Handles very well in up to 6" of snow. V-6 has a lot of power. Overall fun car to drive!