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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  IT BEATS ALL THE COMPETITION - 2003 Toyota Highlander
  By fran ciulik - January 2 - 10:00 am

  After checking all the SUV models in the mid-size range, realized that the Highlander couldt be matched. Just took a long trip and was VERY pleased with the performance. Just wished I had purchased the Toyota line years ago, would have save myself a lot of problems. A GREAT SUV, that ride like a luxury car.

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  Could you ask for anything more? - 2003 Toyota Corolla
  By tferguso - January 2 - 10:00 am

  Toyota has come up with a winner. STYLE, LOTS OF ROOM, Great gas milage and quiet. The lines of the car have moved closer to Camry then ever before. The whole family loves to drive this car. My wife is 54 and Im over 6 feet and it is comfortable for both. The trunk space and rear seats have been stretched to the limits and provide ample space for any family.

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  Best Car I have ever driven! - 2003 Toyota Camry
  By Tony Cable - January 2 - 10:00 am

  I have driven BMW, Porsche, Cadillac and several other exotic cars, but none compare to the "feel" of the Toyota Camry. I know the 4 cylinder doesnt have the "pep" of a Porsche, but it still feels great to drive. The combination of comfort, ease of steering, fuel economy and fairly decent acceleration makes it great all- around.

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  Great minivan - 2004 Toyota Sienna
  By cindi - January 2 - 10:00 am

  30 days later we are still happy with "salsa red" as we have named her. Fit and finish are great, it is actually pretty fast for such a big vehicle. The nav and dvd are great...driving and handling for such a monster is excellent, parking in even tight spots is easy with sonar and back camera. Auto sonar cruise control works very well. The third row seat is comfy for adults. Concern re run flat tires...expensive to replace and negative reviewes on other cars...nosiy...bubling sidewalls.

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  Awesome =) - 2009 Toyota Venza
  By goldenraysofsun - January 2 - 7:56 am

  The Venza is my favorite vehicle out there. Awesome body style, fantastic interior, roomy, great safety ratings and reliable Toyota name. Critics have knocked points off of it because it lacks 3rd row seating. I LOVE this about it. I have 3 kids and no one wants to be the person who sits in the way back of a vehicle (in 3rd row seating) which are usually uncomfortable. A sedan seemed too small, minivan was too big and suvs were usually too ugly, big or just simply didnt appeal to me. I was going to get the Honda Ridgeline until I saw this and fell in love with it.

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  So far, just what I expected - 2004 Toyota Prius
  By sat-s-fied owner - January 2 - 12:56 am

  The Prius has better pickup than advertised. You can do a lot to manage the fuel economy by coasting and thru controlled acceleration. It is not unusual to get 60+mpg for extended periods if you keep a steady cruise speed of 35 - 40 on country roads. Highway conditions (traffic) can produce 75+ mpg!! Kind of a reward for being stuck on jammed roads! The quality of the construction is excellent...but the tan interior fabric is too light to keep clean. The nav system does a terrible job of picking the best routes. I have heard there is a patch for that.

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  Poor engine/transmission performance - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By digitdr1 - January 1 - 9:40 pm

  This car is fine in many respects, but suffers from 1-2 sec. hesitation when applying power while the car is already in motion (from very low speeds to moderate speeds of about 35 mph). Also does not downshift (to allow more engine RPMs and therefore more power) on moderate hills when the gas pedal is pressed. The combination of the weak engine (low torque) at low engine speeds and the transmission hesitation is so bad that the car is, in my opinion, a safety hazard.

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  Venzas a peppy people mover. - 2010 Toyota Venza
  By Wooly - January 1 - 7:36 pm

  Been researching cars for 6 months. I wanted something small enough to fit in the garage, regular fuel, back seat comfort, nav, XM, bluetooth, USB, auto closing rear hatch, sunroof, crossover/SUV style. I waited for the new Ford Edge to come out before I decided. Liked the Edge but couldnt justify the price premium ($5K more for comparable features). Yesterday in a parking lot it was parked right next to an RX350 and they looked exactly the same. Obviously they arent comparable (test drove the RX350 and liked it a lot), but the Venzas also $15K less. I guess Im used to cheap plastics, rough rides, and vague steering because it drives just like most cars Ive driven. So far Im satisfied.

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  Good car for what I paid - 2010 Toyota Corolla
  By thugwork - January 1 - 2:21 pm

  Car is solid, nice new feel even though I bought it when it was 5 years old. My daily driver is a 2001 corolla. The worst part about this one is the blind spots. Ride is smooth and its reliable. Gets me where I need to go (mostly longer trips). A couple of fuses randomly pooped out, cig lighter and radio wouldnt work. The provided manual showed me which fuses to replace and its back up and running. The engine feels solid and smooth. Transmission shifts properly. I like that the car tells you the outside temp and gas mileage, etc. It has wonderful storage capabilities, little pockets here and there, a huge upgrade from my 01 corolla. Overall a good car if you get it for the right price, great on gas mileage. AC blows icy cold and heat works great as well. Bought it at 109000, now at about 118000.

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  Love my FJ Cruiser - 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser
  By David Barber - January 1 - 10:36 am

  I love my FJ. Ive had it a few months and the car is great. I love the way it handles, accelerates and the feel of the drive. It is very roomy and comfortable.