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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  More than happy with my first Camry - 2005 Toyota Camry
  By B. Forrester - October 29 - 2:03 pm

  I formerly drove a Nissan Maxima which I purchased used. Loved the car, but it had occasional problems. I traded it for my 05 Camry. I now have 48,000 miles on it, and have only spent money on oil changes, air filter, cabin filter, and front brake pads (not rotors. I live in the Adirondacks High Peaks region on a private road. Only this year did I decide to put snow tires on. Ive never had any problem with this car, the mileage is good, and Ive never had any acceleration problems. Going from a 6 cyl. Maxima to a 4 cyl. was really no problem. I love the car and features, and will buy another. Its quiet and comfortable.

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  ECONOMY CAR (NOT!) - 2003 Toyota Corolla
  By GALLOWAY - October 29 - 11:16 am

  JUST BOUGHT THE 03 COROLLA LE W/ 5 SPD. FEELS PRETTY GERMAN, LOOKS TERRIFIC. NOT EVEN BROKEN IN YET, GETTING 39 MPG. STEREO SOUNDS GREAT. LOVE THE WHITE FACE INSTRUMENT PANEL. HAS PLENTY OF GET-UP-AND-GO. NO PROBLEM WITH HILLS, EVEN IN FIFTH GEAR. TRANNY EASY TO USE EXCEPT DOWNSHIFT FROM FIFTH TO FOURTH. CLUTCH IS GREAT. DESIGN FLAW, DRIVERS VISOR HITS REAR VIEW MIRROR.

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  i love the matrix - 2004 Toyota Matrix
  By shrek - October 29 - 10:00 am

  i love the matrix. it handles very good andi am tall so it is so much easier to get in and out of without rolling out of the car like you do on most compact cars. this is the first car i have owned that i would not trade or sell for a very long time and the gas mileage is very good too. i get about 35 miles to the gallon on long trips and around town i get about 30 miles to the gallon. if any one is looking for a good car the matrix will win your heart.

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  Fun Car - 2003 Toyota Sienna
  By Charles Stow - October 29 - 10:00 am

  This is the 3 toyota van i have owned and everyone has been GREAT.Never any repairs or problems

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  My 2004 Prius review - 2004 Toyota Prius
  By Vaughn E. Cost - October 29 - 10:00 am

  I purchased my new Prius basically due to an employment change where I lost my company vehicle. I then needed a vehicle with excellent gas milage for my 40 mile trip to & from my new job each day and the Toyota Prius is perfect for my situation. According to the on board display, I consistently get 52 mpg and, with current gas prices, that makes me very happy. My Prius also has a solid ride and more than adequate power to handle the hills of western PA. I now have 7000 trouble free miles on my Prius and I honestly have no complaints. Also, Im 66" tall & 250 lbs....and the Prius has adequate room for me.

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  Proud to drive my solara - 2004 Toyota Camry Solara
  By Gertrude R. Malan - October 29 - 10:00 am

  I have been driving for 35 years and depend on the cars I drive like my own house.If I hear any noise from the car I am using I get nervous.I own Camry SLE 1998 and just trade that in for a new Solara 2004 I am so proud that I took the car.I am so happy for the good performance.Next car will be Solara SLE.

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  A Very Good Car - 2004 Toyota Camry
  By gejr - October 29 - 10:00 am

  Have only had my LE-V6 for a couple of weeks but my last was a Saturn LW300 and you cant compare the two. This is my 5th Toyota and they have all been good, dependable autos. This latest Camry is smooth, powerful enough, quiet, comfortable and very easy to drive. My wife feels the same way about the car. So far no regrets. Dealer was great and worked the Edmunds figures perfectly. A very easy buy since I was well prepared to deal.

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  I saw it I bought it, I liked it - 2005 Toyota Corolla
  By rrodri2613 - October 29 - 10:00 am

  I finally donated my 10 year old Camry to charity and decided to buy a more economical car. I was not disappointed, it cost alot less than my last car and rides and looks just AS GOOD. The car is a little plain, so you might have to add a snazzy license frame or a spoiler or sports bra, but I really love it. The only problem is getting my wife to let me drive it.

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  Love it - 2005 Toyota Corolla
  By simmadown - October 29 - 10:00 am

  I just bought my car 3 days ago, but I love it. I had my heart set on a Mazda 6 for a while but it was a little too expensive for my budget so my next choice was the Carolla. Just today, I was parked next to a Mazda 6 the same color as mine, and I actually like the body of mine better. Also, with gas prices so high, this car is excellent on gas. Its a fun car and I know Toyotas last forever. Id recommend it to anyone.

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  best car ever biult - 2005 Toyota Camry
  By killer xx - October 29 - 10:00 am

  i always love camry