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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  2008 Toyota Prius - 2008 Toyota Prius
  By CAS - November 6 - 8:06 am

  Owned Honda 2000, very disappointed in fuel economy. Researched hybrid, even though honda had a hybrid didnt like the fact back seat did not go down. Toyota prius has it, 3 weeks so far great, 50+ mpg even with the mountains we have around here, wish it had lumbar support, other than that needs no improvement.

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  LOVIN THE RAV 4 - 2006 Toyota RAV4
  By Jim - November 6 - 4:43 am

  I bought the 2006 Toyota Rav 4 Sport and I love it. This is my first SUV. The Rav is spacious and very agile. It has a BMW X3 look to it and I get alot of compliments on it. The ride is smooth and off road it handles like a charm. The 2.4 liter is pretty good on gas on my stop and go commute to work.

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  Meryl Streep is right! - 2003 Toyota Prius
  By donallen - November 6 - 2:00 am

  Meryl Streep (who owns a one) asks "why doesnt everyone drive a Prius?" Toyota engineering brilliance has seen to it that theres no sacrifice to getting 50 mpg. This is a solid, comfortable, roomy, powerful, well-made sedan that delivers the mileage Toyota says it will.

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  Matrix Love - 2003 Toyota Matrix
  By sdstinger - November 6 - 2:00 am

  Been a Honda guy for 15 years and my mechanic said i should give toyota a shot. So i did, and im really really happy with the Matrix XRS. If you are going to buy the matrix and youve driven CRXs and VTECs you must get the XRS. In fact go all out do all that you can with TRD, exhaust, sway bars 17"rims, strut bar, intake, synth. oil and youll really be impressed with the performance and fuel economy.

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  Toyotas NEW SUV - 2003 Toyota 4Runner
  By Griz1 - November 6 - 2:00 am

  Styling and performance rolled into one. The new V6 has plenty of power and the new features are great.

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  2nd Tacoma - like the 2003 even better - 2003 Toyota Tacoma
  By acf2001 - November 6 - 2:00 am

  Had to settle on the stepside bed, 5M, extended cab, 4wd, but love this truck... husband totaled the last one a month ago and the insurance company reimbursed us very well - this truck holds its value as well as it is a safe truck. Husband flipped it 2x in the air due to ice and walked away unharmed. Last one, 2001, was nice, but new antilock brakes standard is a plus on the 2003. Solid feel and high profile make this fun to drive.

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  5 Day Owner - 2005 Toyota Prius
  By Nicole - November 5 - 6:36 pm

  When we first went to the Toyota dealership, my husband and I had plans on "just looking". We were actually interested in the Scion Xb. Mainly, we wanted to downsize from a Toyota Tunda (gas guzzler) and into something more economical. While we were waiting for the salesman to get the keys to the Scion, we wandered over to what would become our car. Needless to say, we drove away with a new Prius. All I can say is, "Wow". This car is amazing and totally fun to drive. Im averaging 45 mpg.

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  Still reliable - 2003 Toyota Camry Solara
  By Katrina - November 5 - 5:46 pm

  It is now 2015 and I have had my 2003 for years. It has 230,000 miles and still performing to standards. This car has grown on me to the point I dont want to sell it or give it away. Very dependable no major issues. I would recommend this vehicle to anyone that wants a little style and reliability.

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  nice car - 2005 Toyota Camry
  By joe parrino - November 5 - 3:16 pm

  Vehicle handled well on trip of 1400 miles. Comfortable seating with an excellent lumbar support. White is an excellent color for driving in the south. It stays a little cooler than other colors. Convenient controls,radio sound, cruise control, lights, wipers help in driving. Good trunk space for baggage and plenty of small places for soring items in drivers compartment.

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  Wow . . . Corolla! - 2005 Toyota Corolla
  By momofsbknbj - November 5 - 5:53 am

  We bought our 2005 Corolla in 2007. It was a repo with 13,000 miles on it. It is 2012 now and the car has 160,000 miles on it. The car, knock on wood, has had no problems that I can recall except needing usual oil changes, tires and brakes replaced. We also had the serpentine belt replaced when it needed it at about 100,000 miles. The car gets excellent gas mileage, between 30-35 mpg average. We had a problem with the air conditioner about a year ago and then found out that these cars have a cabin air filter behind the glove box. Cleaned dust and leaves out of filter and air works fine again. Does not burn oil. Just a great car. We love our Corolla and have purchased 2 more since.