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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  My car - 2004 Toyota Tacoma
  By Gabriel Velez - October 4 - 10:00 am

  it is a nice truck

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  Everything I need - 2010 Toyota RAV4
  By t0yotfan - October 4 - 6:48 am

  After having both a 2002 and 2004 CRV, I bought a 2007 RAV4 with the V6. It had greater usable cargo space and the V6 got 22mpg when the 2 CRVs never got over 21mpg with a 4 cyl. The 2007 RAV4 got totaled in an accident, so since I was very happy with it, I bought another identical V6 4x4 base model. I bought it with a Toyota trailer hitch and I have no problem towing a 8x5 Big Tex trailer loaded with a John Deere 2320 tractor plus 3 Labs in the back cargo area in 3 large dog kennels every week 80 miles to a farm I own in the next county over. The total weight of the trailer and Tractor is 2850lbs. I still get 16 mpg with that load and the power and braking are more than adequate.

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  The Perfect Car - 2004 Toyota Echo
  By ltrack - October 4 - 4:42 am

  Bought this car used, 9 years old with 170,000km. It runs smooth as can be and I must get +50MPG. 650km to a tank in city driving. This is a dream car.

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  4RunnerToy - 2008 Toyota 4Runner
  By Jim Corley - October 3 - 10:11 pm

  Good all around .

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  Happy - 2002 Toyota Land Cruiser
  By Mike - October 3 - 6:40 am

  Great SUV... second Cruiser I currently own. Other is a 1994. Came off of an Audi Allroad (01) nothing but problems with the Audi it was about $1000 a month in repairs the 1994 Cruiser averaged 0. Live back a long gravel road it was tearing the Audi to pieces. Cruiser has gas mileage but a small price to pay (although its getting larger). Would recommend this car to anyone. I will never own anything else. Except maybe the new FJ Cruiser.

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  Great roadster - 2000 Toyota MR2 Spyder
  By Leon - October 1 - 9:03 am

  Being from the era of the British Sport cars, this is a fine replacement for the Austin Healeys, the MGs and the Triumphs of those days, with the comforts of today.

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  Beautiful Camry Great Price!! - 2014 Toyota Camry
  By Stephen Berger - October 1 - 8:20 am

  Its a beautiful Camry with low milage and in great condition.

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  Wonderful SUV! - 2006 Toyota RAV4
  By Julie - October 1 - 7:40 am

  This is such a great vehicle! I was tempted to get the Limited model, but realized the Base model had everything I needed. (Everyone who has seen it cant believe its the Base model.) It handles like a car and gets great gas mileage. Although it only has a 4- cylinder engine, it has great pick-up. I love all of the little touches, like the quick release pulls in the cargo area that allow you to lower the rear seats without going around to the back doors. This car is truly a wonderful value.

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  Love this car - 2005 Toyota Matrix
  By Ray Edwards - October 1 - 1:30 am

  I bought this car for my wife and bought a second for my son. Both cars have the craftsmanship that you expect from Toyota.The interior is much roomier than you would expect from a car that is built on Corolla specs. With the seats folded down, my son can easily fit his road bike inside without removing the front tire. The vehicle gets very good gas mileage (recently on a highway trip we got 32 mpg). Many people stop us and ask about the car, and we always give rave reviews.

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  This Ones a Keeper - 2008 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By DC Commuter - September 30 - 10:46 pm

  I am a DC commuter and purchased this car, primarily, to have access to the HOV lanes on days when I dont have a carpool. With a 40 mile one-way commute in sometimes heavy traffic, average mpg for the first 1500 miles has been 35.5. I will say that this car is a phenomenal deal for the money. Being accustomed to driving higher-end performance cars, we werent really expecting that much out of the Camry, other than a more economical means of transport that gives to us flexibility in getting in and out of the city. However, we have been absolutely, truly impressed. The Camry has great acceleration and handling, the ride is very smooth, and the fit and finish quality is truly noticeable.