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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  Rocks - 1999 Toyota 4Runner
  By Eric - January 27 - 1:23 am

  The ride is rough but thats the ONLY negative. GREAT car. Always works and is totally versatile.

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  Whta is Wrong? - 2002 Toyota Avalon
  By dnc - January 26 - 1:00 pm

  With everything else near excellent, Toyota Avalon XLS has very annoying whooping noise on decelaration when the car is slowing from 40 mph to stop. This noise like a turbine slong down.

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  LOVED this SUV - 2001 Toyota 4Runner
  By SpoiledWife - January 26 - 5:40 am

  My husband bought this 4Runner for me used with 100k mi on it. I had no problem with the miles as it was all still as tight as the day it was new. I put another 40k on it before I traded it in 2 weeks ago. I loved it. There is room for 4 large adults comfortably, 5 if one is a smaller child with no car seat. But I have had 5 with one in car seat many times and it wasnt too bad. I never once had any doubts about getting in it and driving where ever I needed to go. I routinely got 18.5 mpg mixed and 21 mpg highway. With the back seats down it can hold a lot of crap. The front seats are ok for short distances but over a long drive the seats can get hard.

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  Loved it - 2004 Toyota Corolla
  By loved it - January 24 - 2:43 pm

  I was in the military and stationed in California. I drove from California to Texas all the time. So put a lot of miles on my car. I also got in a wreck and totaled the car completely a few months after I got it. It was dark outside and I was able to drive the car with it totaled all the way to work which was about 20 miles and to the shop to drop it off which was another 10. IT STILL RAN!!! I never had a problem and loved the gas mileage it got. I went 1200 miles from Cali to Texas and had to fill up 3 times. Thats not bad! I love this car and miss it deeply!!! Only got rid of it cause I had another baby and there was not enough room in the backseat for 2 car seats plus another person.

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  Cant Complain - 2006 Toyota Corolla
  By lfas - January 24 - 1:58 pm

  This Corolla was a replacement for 2004 Civic which I felt was underpowered and delicate. Purchased pre owned with 75k three years ago, now have approximately 94k.

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  Could Be Better... - 2006 Toyota Camry Solara
  By TK - January 23 - 10:06 pm

  I like the car overall, but was a little disappointed in the rattles, shakes and blindspot. The rattles and shakes happen mainly over bumpy roads. The blindspot is pretty scary. I LOVE the car with the top down and only like it with the top up. I get lots of compliments at red lights and gas stations but...if I had it to do over, I probably would have spent a little more for the Saab or BMW.

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  5,000 mile review - 2010 Toyota Venza
  By wollace1 - January 23 - 12:03 pm

  I purchased this car in December of 2010 and now have about 5,000 miles on it. My wife wanted it mainly to haul her dogs and for trips back and forth to the cabin. For both purposes it is a good car; lots of cargo capacity (as much as an Outback), nice hatch opening and the seats lay flat (unlike the new Chevy Equinox). For dirt roads and bad weather the AWD is great, plus the car has the clearance of an SUV without the sub-20 mpg. On average, we get about 23.5 mpg in mixed driving. Oddly, it never gets over 24 on the highway, but weve only owned it in colder months and with lots of ethanol in the gasoline. The seats are comfortable, it handles great, looks great and is powerful

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  A Great Buy - 2005 Toyota Avalon
  By Alangc - January 22 - 7:20 pm

  The vehicle is a poor mans Lexus and is a pleasure to drive. It is well worth the money and I love the heated & vented seats.

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  Most technologically designed automobile - 2005 Toyota Prius
  By BOB SCHOR - January 22 - 5:56 am

  The car with its GPS and information and tech. items excels but needs more human luxuries i.e. power seats, telescopic steering wheel and a better riding suspension. It is well worth the purchase price even if gas mileage is slightly over promised, the savings more than compensate for monthly payments if financed comparatively to other cars. I do not find its design very attractive or space age but am very satisfied in its value and reliability. All in all after considering all other offerings I am almost completely satisfied.

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  bad transmission - 2000 Toyota Sienna
  By tommyslo - January 22 - 4:46 am

  Had to replace the transmission at 15k and less than two years old. The dealership took two weeks to get the part and then they botched the job so i ended up stranded.