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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  Great Car - 2011 Toyota Camry
  By Lori - December 31 - 10:00 am

  This is a fun car to drive. It is quiet and comfortable even for my Dad who is 6 foot. I like the dash controls and especially the area that hides all of the Ipod cords. The stereo is great. It looks nice and I have had a lot of compliments on it with people thinking it is a European car? It has gotten 32 mpg on combined driving which is great. Wish I had gone for the leather seats.

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  Bad Ride - 2011 Toyota Camry
  By Kenneth Prickett - December 31 - 10:00 am

  The quality of this transmission is terrible. When getting ready to shift the first time, it makes a clanging noise underneath. Service Dept. says it the ABS Brakes resetting. The valves peck until the car warms up. The clanging in the transmission will continue as driving down the road. Sometimes it sounds like youre driving on gravel. I traded a 2005 Sonata for this car and am very sorry. The service dept. says this is normal in all cars, and thats not true. I dont recommend the Camry and hope they start recalling this vehicle and get it straightened out. Its too much money to spend for junk.

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  ABS Brake NOISE - 2011 Toyota Camry
  By Sandra Dunford - December 31 - 10:00 am

  I am very dissatisfied with my Camry. It jumps out of the garage and before it shifts the first time it makes a clinking noise underneath. Service Dept says its the ABS brakes resetting. This happens every time you start the car. Sometimes it will do it twice or more while driving down the road. Its embarrassing to have people in your car and want to know what the noise is. Sometimes it sounds like you run over a pipe. When driving slow and having to stop a lot, the gears jump and jolt around. Ive called the dealership and California, they all say this is normal. I dont appreciate paying $25,000 for a car that makes these noises. I wish I could get rid of it. Dont Recommend!

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  Awesome SUV - 2006 Toyota RAV4
  By jde_ny - December 31 - 8:10 am

  Great SUV, car like handling. 4 cylinder engine is powerful. It seem to drive well in snow and steep roads.

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  Happy I bought it - 2008 Toyota Tacoma
  By Surfdogg - December 31 - 6:20 am

  This is my first Tacoma (and following up a bad Chevy experience). Overall I am happy with the truck, it shifts smoothly, has power to go when needed, and it has the options I wanted.

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  Better than expected Performance - 2009 Toyota Prius
  By John - December 31 - 4:10 am

  2009 Prius really could have more comfortable seats with power adjustment but I was very surprised after putting good ice/snowtires how well it performs on the winter roads. I was worried about driving the Prius on the busy Interstate Hwy 5 in California where everyone drives at 80 mph or more but the Prius handles well and performs well with good passing power between 60-80 mph. Pleasantly surprised with the power at the higher speeds compared to other small 4 cylinder cars. I also found the visibility out the back window better than most of the vehicles I have owned.

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  Disapointed - 2014 Toyota Avalon
  By Jim Bushnell - December 31 - 1:17 am

  If you want a go cart ride this is the car for you. At 15,000 miles one OEM tire required replacement. I replaced all with best Michlen tires and ride a little better. The amount of air in tire has a lot to do with it but very bad ride on rough roads. You have to stop the car to select anything on the AC control panel. No feel and you touch the wrong thing. The back up screen is barely visible in sunlight. The rs rear view mirror blocks the forward view of the rider. The rider seat does not lift to see over. The mirrors stick out so far they hit the garage door frame (lucky the left side pivots). The steering wheel blocks the messages on the dash. I did not trade my 2001 Avalon which still runs great at 160000 miles. I still have my 2001 Avalon, a much better car even with 160,000 miles. I would not buy another like 2014.

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  idk - 2005 Toyota Sienna
  By yeaok - December 30 - 11:16 pm

  we have a toyota siena xle limited.

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  Limited edition - 2005 Toyota Avalon
  By mjh - December 30 - 6:06 pm

  My third Avalon - love it! Better than all the rest. Great trunk space and the back seat can seat the anyone with long legs.

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  Fun to Drive but somehow lacking - 2007 Toyota Tundra
  By Tundra_Girl - December 30 - 2:40 pm

  I love this truck. I bought this truck in April and I drive it to work and trips and where ever I like to go. I love the look of the truck, I love driving the truck and I definitely feel safe in it, and confident that it wont break down. The interior however is so blahzo. I initially wanted a Ford F150, but the one I wanted with similar options was almost five thousand dollars more than the Toyota. The interior in the Ford felt more solid. I wish I would have gotten navigation and a moon roof. Other than that I would recommend this truck to anyone.