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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  Saras Ride - 1994 Toyota Corolla
  By pissenberg - October 25 - 2:00 am

  Mechanically, 0 problems , excellent gas mileage, definitely reliable. Maintenance inexpensive to repair. Multiple parts available.. A great kids first car.

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  Zero Problems - 1996 Toyota Avalon
  By Ft Worth Texas - October 25 - 2:00 am

  My wife has driven this car since new with zero problems. Just standard maintenance. The only problem I have with the car is that the wood trim fades and in a couple of places pealing. I guess not bad after nearly seven years.There are people that replace this aftermarket.

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  like my avalon - 1997 Toyota Avalon
  By jimbo1 - October 25 - 2:00 am

  Im the original owner - no problems. Boringly dependable. Not the best looking car on the road, but kind of sleek in an ugly large sedan way. Pretty good mileage - 27 highway, 21 city. Smooth steady ride. surprising acceleration. quiet. good visibility

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  2000 Avalon XLS - 2000 Toyota Avalon
  By billb - October 25 - 2:00 am

  three years, no problems, no maintenance other than oil changes.

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  I Waited 20 years for this truck - 2006 Toyota Tacoma
  By Kelshm - October 25 - 1:46 am

  I have wanted a Tacoma forever. I never seemed to be able to find one when it was time to trade however. This time I just went all out and bought a new one. I should have done this before! This truck is phenomenal! I have never felt so secure in a vehicle in my life!

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  Fun to Drive - 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By pat85 - October 24 - 10:46 pm

  I traded in a 4Runner on the Camry Hybrid. I went from 15 MPG to 38.6 MPG I drove from the DC area to Johnstown, PA over the weekend. The trip is about 220 miles one way going up and down mountains and cruising up there at the speed limit +5 on cruise control I got 38.6 MPG. I got a red Camry with every bell and whistle. The nav system is OK. Most of what it tells you is on road signs: "exit 38 is 1/2 mile on the left" sort of thing.

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  Driving a Great Concept - 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser
  By DOC - October 24 - 4:46 pm

  What a great SUV. My 2 wheel drive gets a decent (average) 20+MPG. The ride is quiet and the FJ has a lot of PEP. You can cruise at 65 MPH and pass too. The V6 is a real high level engine. Fit and finish is top notch. Everyday someone wants to check out my FJ. This is the most excitement Toyota has come up with to date. Its like youre driving a concept car.

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  Corolla CE with Enhanced Convenience Pkg - 2010 Toyota Corolla
  By Micheal - October 24 - 3:06 pm

  Corolla is quiet, smooth, pleasant. This car is not really designed for tall people, and people of average-and- above girth. Im 62" and 180 pounds; the leg space is acceptable (just so- so), but my left elbow is passed the door elbow rest, with the seat all the way back; the seat cushion is too narrow - its side bolsters dig into my behind, making longer drives very uncomfortable. There is no lumbar support. The steering wheel telescopes and tilts, which is good. Controls are logically placed, simple, and easy to operate. Amber back-lighting of the instrument panel looks great, but the red needles badly crash with it. The stereo system sounds very basic.

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  Gotta love your toyota - 2003 Toyota Tacoma
  By akgrowntoyotagal - October 24 - 9:26 am

  Great vehicle and gets great mileage for a truck. Toyotas will last forever. 4-door cab is great. My cab has more rear seat leg room than my boyfriends big Dodge diesel truck. Not happy with lack of interior storage space. I bought a snugtop supersport truck shell to take care of that problem. Shell looks great on the truck. Little spendy, but worth it. Worried about the automatic transmission - getting a strange clunk sound when I am comming to a stop or when I first start accelerating. The fan power of the air system could have more power.

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  2006 Avalon - 2007 Toyota Avalon
  By bob pulone - October 24 - 8:56 am

  Love the car, needs a coin holder and better placed hook for hangers in rear. Car fogs up too easy also. Would buy another one.