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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  Almost perfect - 1997 Toyota T100
  By bob - October 18 - 8:00 am

  Ive owned this T100 for 8 years and have had not problems to speak of. I live in the mountains in Colorado with snow on the ground 6 months of the year. The 4 wheel drive works much better than the American work vehicles that I drive. It now has 225,000 miles on it and it runs and looks great. I would definitely buy another T100 if they offered at V8 version. My next truck will be a Tundra with a V8.

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  Best Bang For Your Buck - 2008 Toyota Highlander
  By ladydriver123 - October 18 - 2:26 am

  I bought my Highlander Limited recently after 4 months of looking and test driving lots other vehicles. Compared to the Lexus RX, Acura MDX, Lincoln MKX, BMW X3, MB ML350, and Infiniti FX and EX 35, my Highlander blows them away! Standard equipment includes: back up camera, rear seat change up into captains chairs, easy to read controls, AC & heat controls for the rear passengers, lots of HP, loads of trunk space (w/ 3rd seat down) and regular gas. The Blizzard Pearl color (w/gray interior) is gorgeous, and the ride is as smooth as my husbands RX 350! This car gives you a much better bang for your buck, is good to look at, and is in a class by itself. Try it, you wont be disappointed.

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  My First Toyota (always had Honda Accord - 2002 Toyota RAV4
  By - October 18 - 2:00 am

  I love the new body style... for the money it the best thing on the road. It has more room inside than you would think. The gas mileage is Great! Perhaps a V-6 is in order. New wider tires,make the ride even better.

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  Avalon Limited - 2006 Toyota Avalon
  By c5 - October 17 - 9:00 am

  Quiet and smooth. Good power and great mileage. I averaged 32.5 on a 1600 mile trip according to the computer. Dislike having to stop to program memory seats and navigation. Overall the navigation system is not user friendly. I always take my Garmin and it gives me much more information and quicker. I still like the car.

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  Best car - 2005 Toyota Camry
  By Dipa - October 17 - 4:30 am

  Bought this car in Sept. Had it for 4 months now and I have absolutely nothing to complain about. Seats are very comfortable, nice interior and leather seats, compass and big trunk. SUPER quiet and Smooth tranny. Could not have made a better choice than this car!!! EXCELLENT car and will recommend it to everyone.

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  This car is STILL an asset - 1994 Toyota Corolla
  By upoys - October 17 - 4:10 am

  Back in March 02 I wrote a review for my car, stating how it was an asset. Well, over 7 years later, and @ 203k mi, this car is STILL an asset. My last car payment was 1998. This has been the BEST car Ive ever owned! I still get approx. 33 mpg (mostly highway). Rust is starting to form on the bottom of the doors and hood. A/C no longer works. Small inconveniences given that I havent made a car payment in over 11 years! Thanks Toyota for making the most reliable vehicle ever!

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  Great Car - 1999 Toyota Camry Solara
  By N8 - October 17 - 1:33 am

  I have had my SLE for almost 5 years now and I am about to roll over 200,000 miles. I have had a few minor issues with the car but overall it has been an excellent car. The CV joint boot split and ran dry and I had to replace the axle twice. The first time it was still under warranty, and the second time was around 160,000 miles. Smooth ride, good gas mileage for a V6 (27-29 mpg on highway depending on how heavy my foot is!!) and plenty of get up and go. Runs like new!! I would recommend this car to anyone who drives a lot and plans to keep the car for a long time.

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  My Toyota - 2000 Toyota Camry
  By jack stratford - October 17 - 1:13 am

  About two years before retirement I decided to buy a new car and have it paid off before I retired. I had previously owned three Toyotas so I was sold on reliability. Still, I researched the reliability of all cars for about two months, and found the Camry to be the champ. I took another month to select a dealer and options. I finally came up with the "perfect auto". I have just the options I want, and have driven it for six years and four months with no, I repeat, NO problems. I still love my car, my wife doesnt want me to replace it. I dont know that I will, except for another Camry of my choosing.

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  Excellent Value, ride and quality - 2006 Toyota Matrix
  By Garry - October 16 - 10:13 pm

  I traded a Tundra for the Matrix. I thought I would miss the truck. Not at all. This car is amazingly roomy and comfortable. Great fuel economy and pep for a 4 cyl. I have owned Toyotas for over 30 years and will not buy anything else. While you might pay a "little" more than other vehicles, in the long run, you will come out way ahead.

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  Great - 2006 Toyota 4Runner
  By New4Runner - October 16 - 8:50 pm

  I recently bought this, and I like it even better after owning it for a few months. Its already beeen put to the test of many miles of washboarded roads and some moderate off roading on construction sites, and the thing that impresssed me most is the absence of even a single rattle over the bumps. I got it without the sunroof, because if you are over 6-foot, youll scrape your head on the sunroof.