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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  Love My Black Walnut SE - 2003 Toyota Camry
  By Sears - August 7 - 10:00 am

  I bought my Camry SE a short time ago and am thrilled. I went shopping for the best 4 cylinder vehicle on the market and found it! Smooth, strong, quiet, powerful engine. Silken transmission. Great sport suspension and leather steering wheel. My wife and teen son love the interior and the JBL stereo. I love the color--BLACK WALNUT-- a manly, rare, underrated hue. All this, plus ABS, aluminum wheels, 24 mpg, and monster trunk, for less than $21,000. Booyah! Drove the Accord, RSX and others first; then bought the right car. I sit tall in my Camry at 61"; great view fore and aft. A rip racer that doubles as a sedan. Go get one!

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  Bought used at 90K miles, doing great - 2001 Toyota Sequoia
  By UncleTurbo - August 7 - 9:10 am

  I needed a vehicle to tow a 2 horse trailer on a $10K budget. Found my Sequoia used with 89K miles in Oct. 2008. The dealer had detailed it so that it took a lot of hard looking to tell it was not a new car. Still at 90K miles you have to wonder. I checked it over and bought it and immediately changed all the fluids and made sure all maintenance was up to date. This motor needs a new timing belt at 90K and got that done, changed the plugs and they might have been the originals. The gas mileage computer showed the previous owner got 14 mpg. I am getting 18 overall. Great used vehicle for me, no issues now at 110K miles and 1 1/2 years later. Pulls the trailer great, lot of room.

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  Best Mid Size Truck Available - 2008 Toyota Tacoma
  By Howard - August 7 - 3:26 am

  This is my second Tacoma, and I find the quality of this vehicle far superior to any of the others that I have owned over the years. A solid, built tough truck, that is comfortable enough to take on a family vacation!!

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  Love my Prius! - 2006 Toyota Prius
  By Sue L. - August 6 - 11:03 pm

  Less than 2 years old, and Im replacing a headlight bulb... for $311 plus labor! Ouch! So much for having an inexpensive "green" car! Come on Toyota!!

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  Toyta 4 Runner - 2010 Toyota 4Runner
  By Mike C - August 6 - 2:50 pm

  Overall Very Good, needs running boards and mudflaps. Also, very attractive vehicle, needs more options.

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  What Camry should be! - 2008 Toyota Camry
  By Vladimir - August 6 - 1:11 pm

  The only reason why I bought the 2008 Camry was because I owned a 1993 Camry that lasted 300,000 mile without any major repair or problem. I bought it used in 2010 with 28000 miles, it was a lease return vehicle. 100,000 miles later, it still looks and drives like new and never had any major problems with it. The only thing I repaired in the car was the rear passenger hub bearing which cost less than $150. I just replaced the original brakes last year simply because I wanted to. I changed the tires twice and battery one time, usual car wear and tear. It is nice to drive, comfortable and quiet. The only this I probably dont like with this car is that it drives very light, too light for the size and type of car. Toyota contacted me for all of the recalls and they fixed those. They sent me extended warranties for the dashboard (cracks and warp dashboard) and engine (excessive oil loss), but never had to use them. We really need a van or SUV for the growing family, but we cant imagine trading or selling this car since it has been really great to us. Over all we really love this car, at this pace this one might reach 300,000 miles too.

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  My cool 4Runner - 2001 Toyota 4Runner
  By escalante - August 6 - 4:33 am

  Great driving, I love this car but needs better gas mileage, had no mechanical problems other than regular maintenance.

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  Love the RAV4 - 2009 Toyota RAV4
  By Brio - August 6 - 4:06 am

  I bought my RAV4 last week, just before 2 major snowstorms hit upstate NY. The RAV4 handles deep snow and slippery roads as though they are dry pavement. Im averaging 24 mpg. Great car! (so far).

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  Well designed - 2007 Toyota Avalon
  By Bake - August 5 - 7:53 pm

  I have the Limited model. Love driving this car. Its comfortable and quiet. Laser cruise control is great. Handling is good and responsive. The engine performance is good and not too loud even opened up. I recommend reading the manual for all the tricks (like linking each keyfob and the memory settings).

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  Great Car For Tall People - 2006 Toyota Matrix
  By Chip Rogers - August 5 - 5:06 pm

  The Matrix fits in well with our two car family (we have a Camery also), this is my primary car going to and from work. Gas mileage is very good. It is very convient to run around town with the kids. The kids like riding in it more then the Camry (who knows why).