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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  04 Camrys problems - 2004 Toyota Camry
  By NEER - November 20 - 8:26 pm

  Bought the 04 Camry LE for 1.5 year. Got 17k miles on it. Got a few problems too: 1) Tires. The both rear tires blew out within 13,000 miles. Bridgestone tires quality seems questionable. 2) Left rear door could not be openned from inside. Toyota dealer fixed, saying that the cable was broken. 3) One transmitter was broken. replacing battery did not work out. 4) Gas mileage: highway 32, local 17-20. Local gas mileage lower than claimed. 5) My head often gets knocked by the top frame because design of raised drivers seat makes front head room insufficient. 6) Brakes not as good as my old Mazda 626. It takes longer distance to stop the car.

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  Truck For Life - 2006 Toyota Tacoma
  By Bryan - November 20 - 8:06 pm

  Ive always been driving a car, but when Toyota made a bigger Tacoma, I told myself, it is time. I usually drive this truck in the city, but I have taken it to the beach, mud, and dirt roads. Let me tell you, this truck can handle it all. I even helped a Ford F150 that got stuck in the sand. I may have lost my 3 series BMW, but I got this new TACOMA. This bad boy handles very good. Its so smooth, you will think youre driving a car.

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  A Great Drive - 2007 Toyota 4Runner
  By MIKE - November 20 - 7:20 pm

  Pros - a nice ride. Handles well with good acceleration. Cruises nicely at 65 - 70 mph at 2,000 rpm. Avg miles per gallon = 21.5. No vibration of steering wheels over 2,000 rpms as others have suggested. Good radio with great reception. 17" wheels a real plus. Putting the back window down decreases buffeting air when drivers window is down and sunroof open. Cons - brakes a bit weak and seats are harder than my retired highlander.

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  outstanding value - 2005 Toyota Matrix
  By rilchard - November 20 - 10:23 am

  This littele car handles like a dream. We sold our Lexus and got this and do not regret the move at all. Good gas mileage, good ride, a bit noisy, turns on a dime, hauls our kayaks, and we get lots of compliments on it. We added on to our house ourselves and it hauled lots of building materials from the yard to home. We probably abused it some doing that but it still purrs right along.

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  My First Vehicle - 2007 Toyota Corolla
  By Bharath - November 20 - 10:20 am

  A Nice car... good to drive.... less nose from Engine... Good fuel economy... Style wise it is ok even though not too stylish... good for ladies...and first time drivers...

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  31-35 MPG highway - 2007 Toyota Matrix
  By GCN - November 19 - 6:30 pm

  Just purchased a 2007 base model w/ 5- spd, the "M Theory" package, and 36000 miles. Right off the bat got 31 MPG cruising at 77 MPH w/ AC on intermittently. Then cruising at 71 MPH on the way back w/ AC on full time got 35 MPG. So far I like the way it handles, the power is acceptable (but not sports car fun), but most importantly it a very useful car (parking, cargo, cost). "M Theory" is purely for looks, bright color but not worth extra $$$ for most.

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  2008 Toyota Camry Hybrid-First Tank - 2008 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By Bob from Arizona - November 19 - 11:30 am

  We purchased our 2008 Hybrid Camry in November 08. The car is so quiet you have to check to see if the power is turned on. Our first driving experience in a Hybrid was a trip of about 225 miles and involved climbing from sea level to over 4,500 ft. The car had no problem climbing hills or keeping up with traffic. We averaged 42 miles per gallon on this road trip which is better than stated by Toyota. I am sure the car is capable of doing even better but if you can get over 722 miles on a tank of gas (17.2 gallons), youre doing well. The key to getting great gas mileage on a hybrid is to avoid jack rabbit starts and keep your speed down.

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  cant go wrong - 1999 Toyota Corolla
  By loyal_driver - November 19 - 7:36 am

  Bought mine as a left over in early 2000 -- somebody had returned it with about 2,000 miles logged and traded up. Has nearly all the options except (alas) ABS. It now has close to 80k miles on it and nothing has ever broken. I love this car, and it has convinced me that when the time comes that I have to pry myself away from it, only another Toyota (Lexus/Scion) product will do.

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  Sienna - 2006 Toyota Sienna
  By analyzerlx - November 19 - 7:30 am

  Weve driven the Sienna throughout the U.S. and have nothing but praise for this minivan. The gas mileage has been great, averaging approx. 550 miles per tank and the van is very comfortable compared to other vans Ive been in. I am happy with the Sienna.

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  Excellent truck - 1997 Toyota 4Runner
  By JW - November 19 - 12:36 am

  My 4Runner has been a wonderfully solid, reliable, and capable vehicle. I regularly drive it on rugged 4WD roads during camping trips in the Sierras, Death Valley, and Arizona (e.g. Sunflower Mine, Coke Ovens) and it has never let me down. It has a surprisingly large cargo area and my girlfriend and I can stretch out and sleep in the back (59"). The visibility is great, its easy for anyone to drive, and even after 212,000 miles the V6/auto combination gives me 22 mpg on the highway at 70 mph which Im quite happy with for an SUV. Ill be keeping this one past 300K.