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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  Love to own it - 2004 Toyota Camry
  By Charlotte Branch - October 28 - 5:56 pm

  I have never owned a toyota before, but had heard how reliable it was, so I bought one. Not only is it reliable, it is beautiful, and a vehicle proud to own. I only wish it got better gas mileage, but everything else tends to balance that out. I do love it.

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  Great little car! - 2005 Toyota Prius
  By Lonnie B - October 28 - 4:30 pm

  This was absolutely an impulse purchase, but we are loving this terrific little car. In fact, my husband now chooses to drive it to work in place of his big Lexus! Were still getting to know it, but what we see so far we like: design, comfort, size (fits five adults easily with plenty of leg room in back), and of course gas mileage.

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  Superb !!! Except for the JBL Premium sound. - 2016 Toyota Camry
  By Andy - October 28 - 9:29 am

  The XSE V6 is an excellent car. Super impressive Engine, performance and handling. I cannot fault anything on the car EXCEPT the JBL "Premium" Audio. It is utterly unacceptable and poor. The rear speaker has barely anything going to it, almost no bass, (or any sound at all) comes from the lower door speakers, I would say upwards of 90% of the sound, (bass included) is directed to the high in-dash speakers. Volume? With volume set at Max, you can hold a normal conversation in the front seats without raising voices. It is utterly pitiful. No power, no volume, no bass. During preparation for production, one person, somewhere in the Toyota organization, would have probably been responsible for making the decision to go ahead and include this system, and to label it as "Premium Sound". This person should be fired. Then the fact that somebody in Quality didnt listen to it and check it afterwards, baffles me. EVERYTHING about this car is excellent, except the music. Absolutely, buy the car (XSE V6), but be prepared to immediately get a stereo shop to rip out the pitiful, impotent sound system, and replace it with something louder than your average bedside clock/radio alarm clock. Premium sound? Really, Toyota? Premium?? Not even on the same map.

• 

  Superb !!! Except for the JBL Premium sound. - 2016 Toyota Camry
  By Andy - October 28 - 9:29 am

  The XSE V6 is an excellent car. Super impressive Engine, performance and handling. I cannot fault anything on the car EXCEPT the JBL "Premium" Audio. It is utterly unacceptable and poor. The rear speaker has barely anything going to it, almost no bass, (or any sound at all) comes from the lower door speakers, I would say upwards of 90% of the sound, (bass included) is directed to the high in-dash speakers. Volume? With volume set at Max, you can hold a normal conversation in the front seats without raising voices. It is utterly pitiful. No power, no volume, no bass. During preparation for production, one person, somewhere in the Toyota organization, would have probably been responsible for making the decision to go ahead and include this system, and to label it as "Premium Sound". This person should be fired. Then the fact that somebody in Quality didnt listen to it and check it afterwards, baffles me. EVERYTHING about this car is excellent, except the music. Absolutely, buy the car (XSE V6), but be prepared to immediately get a stereo shop to rip out the pitiful, impotent sound system, and replace it with something louder than your average bedside clock/radio alarm clock. Premium sound? Really, Toyota? Premium?? Not even on the same map.

• 

  Superb !!! Except for the JBL Premium sound. - 2016 Toyota Camry
  By Andy - October 28 - 9:29 am

  The XSE V6 is an excellent car. Super impressive Engine, performance and handling. I cannot fault anything on the car EXCEPT the JBL "Premium" Audio. It is utterly unacceptable and poor. The rear speaker has barely anything going to it, almost no bass, (or any sound at all) comes from the lower door speakers, I would say upwards of 90% of the sound, (bass included) is directed to the high in-dash speakers. Volume? With volume set at Max, you can hold a normal conversation in the front seats without raising voices. It is utterly pitiful. No power, no volume, no bass. During preparation for production, one person, somewhere in the Toyota organization, would have probably been responsible for making the decision to go ahead and include this system, and to label it as "Premium Sound". This person should be fired. Then the fact that somebody in Quality didnt listen to it and check it afterwards, baffles me. EVERYTHING about this car is excellent, except the music. Absolutely, buy the car (XSE V6), but be prepared to immediately get a stereo shop to rip out the pitiful, impotent sound system, and replace it with something louder than your average bedside clock/radio alarm clock. Premium sound? Really, Toyota? Premium?? Not even on the same map.

• 

  Love - 2008 Toyota Tacoma
  By LOVE - October 28 - 3:10 am

  This is my third Toyota pickup, and its better than the first two. Its excellent. Drives great off road with the TRD packages. Great rims and every thing.

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  You get what you pay for... - 2005 Toyota Camry
  By Shahn - October 28 - 1:03 am

  Love Toyota....you dont have to convince me on the name. I have owned all types of cars throughout my driving years (Honda and Nissan are good also..dont get me wrong.) but Toyota is still no.1 on my list. Great reliability, looks and feels like more a expensive car. I have always believed in getting a luxurious/well equiped car for a good price and definitely Toyota does well. This is my 5th Camry and have owned one in every model year since 84.

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  Amazing Car - 2000 Toyota Celica
  By Renee - October 27 - 10:50 am

  When i found my celica, it wasnt even for sale officially. They were going to sell it to an auction because it was just a trade-in, with about 125,000 miles on it. I fell in love with it instantly and bought it anyway. It was the best, and most dependable car i have ever owned. The only thing i had to get done was oil changes, and was amazing on gas. i recently got in an accident, someone T-boned my drivers side. her front end was demolished, and i didnt even get a bruise. by this time there was about 155,00 miles on it..and still running absolutely perfect. Im looking around for another celica right now, and theres no possibility that i will be purchasing anything other!

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  96 Tacoma - 1996 Toyota Tacoma
  By Howard_Erbe - October 27 - 10:00 am

  I have had nothing but good luck with this vehicle, Im just getting ready to do the 90,000 go through with this truck.

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  A Very Good Truck - 2001 Toyota Tacoma
  By cromboaz - October 27 - 10:00 am

  This is a very good truck if you are in need of a vehicle that can seat 5 and have a small pick up. Compared to the other trucks that are in its class the Tacoma seems to me to have more interior room than the Dodge and Nissans that I looked at. I am also getting 17/20 mpg.