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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  Good Bye to a Great Old Car - 1997 Toyota 4Runner
  By GreenWay - October 22 - 8:46 pm

  It has been great to drive this car around! Bought it with 104K miles on the teller which today stands at 145K. This is farewell and a tribute to a great car which drove us without letting us down even once! Regular oil changes and a tire change were the only maintenance activities ever done to it! It is going to a new owner after having it replaced by a Honda Pilot.

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  By far, this is the best SUV ever built. - 2003 Toyota 4Runner
  By spacecowgirl - October 22 - 3:09 pm

  I bought my 03 4Runner with about 80k miles in 2010 after my 2000 Blazer (which gave me nothing but grief, but thats another review) was totalled in an accident. Id always wanted a 4Runner, but had settled for less expensive alternatives. When my Blazer died, I decided that my replacement would be a 4Runner, even if it had to be older. Four years later I am so happy with my decision. It now has over 140,000 miles, and still runs like new. It hasnt seen the inside of a shop for anything other than routine maintenance. Its comfortable, spacious but not too big, and capable in the city, off road and in snow. My only regret is not buying a 4Runner sooner!

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  It is what it is - 2013 Toyota Prius c
  By mgoods24 - October 22 - 11:05 am

  I have owned my PC2 for 6 months now and have put just over 7k on it. I purchased it to be my commuter vehicle. I wanted something simple, reliable, and efficient. The PC is all of that. My wife and I took it on a 1500 mile road trip and found it more than comfortable enough for two people and gear. The only disappointments I have with it are some rattles coming from inside the dash and I have not achieved the fuel economy numbers others have mentioned. Averaging 44-45 over the life of the car. This is a small complaint since very few vehicles can get that on their best day. *Note to residents of colder climates. I notice about a 10% drop in fuel economy under 40 degrees F.

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  Excellent - 2005 Toyota Prius
  By Josefina F. Johnsen - October 22 - 10:36 am

  It is a car that you enjoy driving it. It is comfortable, plenty of space inside. The mileage that it gives you is great. The model I own is a black color Prius and the interior is in a very light beige leather and it looks luxurious. I highly recommend this car.

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  great car - 2010 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By Amanda Chandler - October 22 - 10:00 am

  Only thing I can say negative is that I can hear a lot of outside noise. I know theres a term for that but cant remember. Car is not very sound proof.

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  2007 Toyota Tacoma Double Cab TRD Sport - 2007 Toyota Tacoma
  By Mike Summes - October 21 - 6:30 pm

  This truck is a typical well built, reliable vehicle from Toyota. I just got out of a full size P/U and Im confident this 07 Tacoma will perform as well or better than my full size one.

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  "My first Toyota..Oh what a delight" - 2005 Toyota Highlander
  By Jacksonville Bill - October 21 - 4:40 pm

  Im totally pleased with my 2005 Toyota Highlander, 2.4 four cylinder, Sonora Gold Pearl aka "Goldilocks or Goldie". Shes just right! This vehicle does everything my 1994 Ford Aerostar van did and more. I can haul people, cargo and my dog "Blue" in relative comfort and it has four doors! The ride is so smooth and comfortable. I feel like Im floating on a cloud. I have a daily commute of 40 miles round trip and the mileage Im getting is remarkable and because of all the safety features my insurance rate only increased $5.00 a month. "Oh what a savings". I love my Toyota Highlander.."Oh what a delight".

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  Great Value! Reliable! - 2007 Toyota Corolla
  By ellen - October 21 - 2:06 pm

  I have had this car for 9 months and it is great on gas! I have not had any problems with it at all (and it is brand new so I would hope not) and it is easy to get around in! For the price it is a great value and quality is excellent.

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  Great car - 1998 Toyota Camry
  By Vlad - October 21 - 9:56 am

  My parents bought this car in August 2001 and they gave it to me in August 2006. Great car and great reliability. Drove it back and forth 350 miles each way every weekend for two months between mid April and mid June. The only thing that needed to be replaced was the rear strut.

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  Fun Little Commuter - 2015 Toyota Corolla
  By Brian K. McMillian - October 21 - 9:30 am

  I bought this has a second vehicle for myself with the plan it would be passed onto my 11 year old when she turns 16. My main vehicle is a Toyota FJ Cruiser, but due to having to constantly drive the kids literally hundreds of miles a week for activities, I was putting too many miles on a vehicle I want to keep forever and one that cannot be replaced since they quit making them. Anyway, I shopped all around for vehicles in the Corollas size category, but I just couldnt find one that matched Toyotas quality. I did own a 2008 Honda Civic Si for a short period, which looks very similar to this vehicle, but this Corolla is so much nicer and solid feeling than that Civic. I am very impressed with the ride, which is about as good as one can expect with the thinner tires on 17" wheels. The styling of this vehicle is very eye-catching, especially from the front. Acceleration is not going to win you any drag races, especially with the Continuously Variable Transmission, but after a short lag at first it will get up an go pretty good and I do not feel under powered on the interstate. Driving around town and doing a nice slow acceleration, you will not even feel a shift...it is so smooth! My favorite feature is the headlights. The S-Plus model came with LED lights for the low beam and they literally broadcast a intense wedge of light that totally wraps around the front of the vehicle. It almost looks like daylight! I need to get these for the FJ! I only have 450 miles on it thus far, but I am very happy with this purchase!