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:

• 

  An excellent car - 2005 Toyota Corolla
  By Corolla 05 owner - August 11 - 3:50 am

  I purchased my Corolla in 2005 and am extremely pleased. Gas mileage is its strongest suit, a consistent 37-40 mpg (41 when I first bought it, and Id probably still be getting that if I changed the air filter more frequently and didnt drive 70-75 mph). Ive had no mechanical problems at all, just the occasional oil change, fluid fill-up. 5sp manual makes it fairly fun to drive and allows me to compensate for the moderately low horsepower (126) when accelerating so I can beat out a lot of faster cars if I need to. Stability does suffer around 75 mph, especially on a windy day. When I change tires, Ill put larger ones on. The interior is extremely roomy and well-designed.

• 

  2003 Camry SE - 2003 Toyota Camry
  By mac0s9user - August 11 - 2:03 am

  I am a Toyota mechanic and this is the car I trained on . I saw how well it was built and all the redundant systems and had to buy one. Got mine last year and at 80,000 now am having no problems. Brakes are getting due but for me thats only like $200. Best value for the money. I am adding different aftermarket headlights for originality but other than that its perfect!

• 

  Great so far - 2009 Toyota Highlander
  By John - August 11 - 1:50 am

  Very smooth to drive, interior feels much more spacious than the Explorer we traded in for it. Fuel economy is good for SUV. Engine seems to work a bit harder than the explorers did when I need to accelerate rapidly on to a highway, but other than that it has plenty of power.

• 

  TIRE PROBLEMS - 2008 Toyota Highlander
  By Kevin McCloskey - August 10 - 6:40 pm

  Bought this fourwheel drive V-6 Sport for my wife who travels 60 miles per day. The car is great, the problem is with the original tires (toyo open country A20) wore out at 18000 miles. Replaced them with four brand new Bridgestone Duelers HL 400. ($900.00). These tires are equally as bad and down right dangerous in snow/wet conditions. I am now purchasing a set of winter tires for the car (bridgestone Blizzak DM-V1 (another $900.00). Sure the car is great. Good luck finding a tire for the car that works in the ice and snow. This is too bad for such a highly rated car. Is it the fault of the tires or Toyotas fault for choosing such an odd size tire/tire design fault. Good Luck w tires!

• 

  Powewrful, gas sipping midsize SUV - 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
  By gary - August 10 - 1:46 pm

  My wife commutes to work in it daily and aveages 35 MPG per tank in combines city/hwy use. Plenty of room to pack all of out sailing gear fro a weekend, or even week long cruise on our boat. Very comfortable for extended trips of six to eight hours or so driving. We love it.

• 

  Best all around - 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser
  By norman - August 10 - 1:36 pm

  I purchased my FJ in January not really knowing what I was getting into. I had read all the reviews and looked at all the videos. My friends were trying to discourage me but I went ahead and got it anyway. I have to say with all my years in vehicle ownership this by far is the most well built, most reliable, and the best priced out of the box car I have ever owned. It drives like a car, its a beast off roading, and is priced so anyone can afford it. Gas mileage could be better but the power and torque it produces outweighs it. Interior is surprisingly spacious with lots of leg room front and back. It feels like a solidly built SUV. Test drive!

• 

  Family fights to drive the Sequoia! - 2005 Toyota Sequoia
  By Curtis Berge - August 10 - 11:43 am

  It’s a 2004, owned for 18 months, with 21K. It has been very reliable, so far. Yea its large, yet doesnt ride like a big a boat. Makes you feel like your driving a vehicle half the size. Has a smooth, comfortable ride in any seat. Engine has nice pick up and the gas mileage isnt as bad as I thought it would be. I have gotten up to 19 miles to the gallon (speed limit driving) on the highway! Love this SUV!

• 

  We love this hybrid SUV! Best purchase! - 2011 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
  By nvman - August 9 - 10:54 pm

  We needed a small SUV to haul rigid hull inflatable boats (typically less than 2000 lbs). We had the 3500 lbs tow package installed (much nicer than aftermarket). I wanted a hybrid because "peak oil" is real, I want to be able to keep driving and boating foryears to come :) This is a technology wonder. We love it. We routinely take long trips for the business and nobody complains. Everyone is surprised how fast we get there although this is the first car I have ever own that I dont feel compelled to speed in. Its trained me that I can get at destination roughly at the same time without speeding. Its also trained me that fast starts are incredibly wasteful on gas. Easy to get 30 mp

• 

  Awesome car - 2006 Toyota Prius
  By junior 8 - August 9 - 5:50 am

  Had to learn how to drive again. Gas mileage depends on this and it went from 45 to 55 by just learning a new style. Awesome car. The fuel mileage is estimated at 64city/54 highway. I believe you can get 64 if you drive it correctly and live in an area with not too many stoplights. But realistically I would say 54/54, which is awesome. Thanks

• 

  Dons Salsa Red - 2005 Toyota Prius
  By donalldredge - August 9 - 4:03 am

  Took delivery of my 2005 Salsa Red Prius in December of 2004. I have owned about 20 cars in my lifetime and the Prius is by far the best yet. The "Gee Whiz" gadgets are a joy. The Navigation System is the best. No problem at freeway speeds and it handles like s sports car~