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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  Its a great buy - 2016 Toyota Highlander
  By Kai Huang - August 23 - 9:37 am

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  One of the best cars I have owned - 2004 Toyota 4Runner
  By H Andres - August 23 - 8:46 am

  I have owned domestic and so called foreign vehicles of all the ones I have owned this one is very reliable. I decided to purchase this SUV because, all the people I asked that owned Toyotas (some of the cars were very old, and some had over 248000 miles) couldnt say enough good things about it My family and I feel very safe and very happy to have one.

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  A few quirks worth the sacrifice - 2008 Toyota Prius
  By colorado - August 22 - 11:46 pm

  Ive had my Prius for 3 months now and have decided it was the right purchase for me. I do a lot of driving for work, especially over the mountains, so I have really pushed it to its limits. The Prius does great in town: mileage is over 50mpg and it out-performs most every other car on the interstate. On my drives across the Rockies on I-70 I usually get 44mpg average. The engine starts to "whine" when Ive been going straight uphill for too long and the battery has emptied. I am 59" and the car is perfectly sized for me, but my husband is 61" and its tight for him. All in all, the sacrifices are worth it for me; I LOVE the great environmental profile and the low cost at the pump!

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  Great Vehicle - 2005 Toyota 4Runner
  By Dan - August 22 - 10:26 am

  This is my second 4Runner and the first Sport Edition that I have purchased. Thus far I have been very impressed with the vehicle. I am getting between highway and city 21.6 mpg so fuel economy is slightly better than advertised. The ride is smooth and the room (I am 62") is more than sufficient. The SUV handles snow very well as I live outside of Boston and handled two 10" storms very smoothly. Visibility in the car is great as well. Satisfied buyer.

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  Sweet ride! - 2015 Toyota Highlander
  By toyorocks55443 - August 22 - 10:22 am

  We got the 2015 Toyota Highlander Limited Platinum All-Wheel Drive. Of the 14 vehicles Ive owned in my lifetime, this is the first one that we bought brand new, 0 miles. And we love it. Theres a reason why the Toyota brand (despite the recalls from 2 years ago) keeps its image positively high.

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  Great Truck - Worth the Price - 2008 Toyota Tacoma
  By rmd0311 - August 22 - 4:23 am

  I looked at this and the Frontier. While the Frontier would have been a good 3k cheaper, I like the Tacoma much more. There is nothing not to like. Drives like an SUV but I have a truck bed. Perfect combination.

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  My family fun suv - 2008 Toyota Sequoia
  By vivaldo - August 21 - 3:36 pm

  I purchased our Sequoia in March, a few days later we were on our way to Pismo Beach. I really enjoyed the smooth ride and the level of comfort on our trip up North. My kids got to enjoy the DVD system and my wife and I enjoyed our Siruis sat. radio. We were going to buy an Armada but when we saw the Sequoia it just captured our heart and our wallet. Sorry Nissan!

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  Great vehicle - Good in snow - 2008 Toyota RAV4
  By brianjv99 - August 21 - 12:26 pm

  I love the new rav4 I got. It is great in the winter weather, traction control, stability control and 4WD make it almost impossible to slip. It handles in snow great and Im zipping past other cars that are sliding all around.

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  Great truck - poor front seat - 2004 Toyota Tundra
  By alfomega - August 21 - 10:00 am

  This is my second Tundra. My 2001, with ABS, skidded on a wet curve when I braked, and was totaled (I was hit by a Camry doing 50 - 60 mph and walked home!) This time I got the Vehicle Stability Control package, along with the Double Cab. I just love this vehicle (and Im almost 60). I get 17.5 miles to a gallon in mixed city/freeway driving, but I drive sensibly - gas is $2.20 a gal. The drivers seat seems worse than the 01, though. The initial shifting also appears jerkier.

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  Convertible Solara - Great buy! - 2004 Toyota Camry Solara
  By Winchers - August 21 - 10:00 am

  I had been searching for a convertible for the last two years. After much research, the Solara became the best for my money. Fantastic looking car, great fuel economy, rides smooth, and I just love it! You can compare this car with many of the more costly ones, and you will find that you can spend the money for this fabulous car, and think you are in the Lexus. It was a hard car to find, and people will stop me just to ask what kind of car it is. It is a head turner, and yet you can feel assured you didnt get gouged for riding such beautiful car. I purchased the Artic Frost.