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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  Prius is the greatest - 2004 Toyota Prius
  By Hybrid Heaven - October 9 - 10:00 am

  This car has saved me over $160 a month on fuel.

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  Prius Delivers as Promised - 2004 Toyota Prius
  By t higgins - October 9 - 10:00 am

  Have owned PRIUS for 5 months and driven over 5,000 miles. No problems encountered, car performs well as do all Toyotas. Good choice. Surprised at first that the car was not getting the 51 mpg highway, more like 45-46. Turns out, the battery doesnt work as efficiently in cold northeast winter. Logical, but appeared nowhere in literature or on in/on public reviews. Up to 52-53 mpg now, mostly highway. Range is truly 500 miles. Would have gotten the side air bags were they not bundled in with the sort of "bling- bling" an economy customer finds distasteful. Toyota, please give us the safety options separately.

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  Best of 13 Vehicles Ive Owned. - 2001 Toyota Tacoma
  By flyfishing - October 9 - 10:00 am

  for 85,000 miles in less than 3 years, I have put about 8,000 true off-road miles on it and can say it is the best built vehicle Ive owned. Im looking at another one, but feel comfortable putting 3-400,000 on it. Get one!

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  Toyota Solara - 2004 Toyota Camry Solara
  By Angela E. - October 9 - 10:00 am

  If your are looking for some fun at a really good price buy a Toyota Solara. It looks like a Lexus and the SLE V6s inside is like a Lexus. It is so nice and the ride is so smooth, you get alot out of the car for its price tag. My car was $28,000 and it has just about everything you could want. Leather, sunroof/moonroof, seat warmers, wood grain, awsome stero, just a very nice car.

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  A real deal - 2004 Toyota Camry Solara
  By Marshhen - October 9 - 10:00 am

  This car is an exceptional automobile for the price. It has a very sporty design and is luxurious inside. It has the qualities of a much more expensive car. Handles well, gets good gas milage and has a lot of power for a four cylinder. Visabilty out the back windows not as good as my old Camry.

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  eeee - 2004 Toyota Tacoma
  By sunamita - October 9 - 10:00 am

  we are so happy with our toyota toyota is the number 1 in the world!

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  Toyota Sienna 2004 - 2004 Toyota Sienna
  By Alain - October 9 - 10:00 am

  The Sienna has very light and carlike ride it so easy to operate and is very comfortable to drive and to sit in as for the members of a family. For long rides and for just simple shopping the sienna has a lot of storage options. The engine is very quiet and smooth and handling is superb. The main thing is the fuel consumption as with the v6 engine may run in the city at 14mpg and in the hiway at 19-24mpg. Still enjoy the ride and the driving comfort when you buy a sienna

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  A decent car at last - 2004 Toyota Camry
  By pcr - October 9 - 10:00 am

  After years of driving compact cars, I test drove a Camry as was hooked. With the air conditioning on full-blast, I could accelerate to 90 in seconds up a steep WV hill--with a 4-cylinder engine. In 35000 miles, Ive had only comfortable rides, no mechanical problems, confidence when on the road late at night, and compliments on my taste in cars. Ill buy another Camry in 10 or 12 years, when I pass this down to my daughter.

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  Toyota Camry - 2004 Toyota Camry
  By Leosgirl - October 9 - 10:00 am

  I love my Camry and almost everything about it, the only thing that surprised me was that it uses much more gas then expected and costs me about $30.00 per week for gas and I do not drive a far distance weekly.

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  The best car built - 2004 Toyota Camry
  By ovillatoro - October 9 - 10:00 am

  i uesd to own a mithubithi galant and it was ok until i got in to the seat of the toyota Camry then i found out how amazing the Camry really was