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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  Avalon 99 - 1999 Toyota Avalon
  By howard hurtig - April 20 - 9:56 pm

  Great car; no trouble except for a dead battery after 8 years of ownership and a failed starter after 6 years of ownership.

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  A Darn Good Car - 1993 Toyota Camry
  By JB - April 20 - 9:40 pm

  After owning several American-made cars, this was definitely the BEST all around car Ive had. There have been issues over the years with the electrical and little things beginning to break off (broken door handle, etc), but I think this is attributable to its age. It still runs with the best of them, a nice smooth ride and solid construction. I am still driving it, current mileage 211K. If Id have maintained it better (regular oil changes, tires, etc) like a good car owner, no telling how long this car may last.

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  What do you consider "high mileage" - 1994 Toyota 4Runner
  By SierraSled - April 20 - 11:00 am

  How could you fault a vehicle that has trudged through 260k miles of Tahoe winters, and Tahoe summers without a hiccup? Hauls every toy I own, lots of wet waggy tailed dogs, crusty skis, dirty mountain bikes, and just keeps on going and going and going. Ill miss this truck as I move on to a 2000 model - my dogs will miss it more. Its their personal expeditionary taxi and barf bag (why they loved to hurl in my truck Ill never understand - must be some kind of dog/truck thing). Onward we go, to a 2000 model with 144k on it, and another 8 years of worry free fun.

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  Wish it looked as good as it drove. - 2007 Toyota Tundra
  By unerik - April 20 - 5:07 am

  I bought a new 2007 white Tundra from a local Toyota dealership. The truck drives well and the turning radius isn’t as bad as the 2006 and previous models. It’s also a very well built truck for the most part. I cant complain about the fuel economy given the fact that its better than the tacoma models of the same year averaging 17.5 mpg.

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  Awesome vehicle - 2007 Toyota Sequoia
  By abbylou - April 18 - 3:56 pm

  I have had this vehicle for 6 mos now and just love it! Comfortable and great tow vehicle for our midsize boat. Better gas mileage than most other large SUVs. Engine is both smooth and full of torque. I have the pkg that has the rear captain chairs and would recommend this seating unless you have 5 kids.

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  Celica - 1997 Toyota Celica
  By maite daguerre - April 17 - 2:13 pm

  Great car

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  GAS GUZZLER - 1997 Toyota RAV4
  By THOROUGHBRED - April 17 - 10:00 am

  THIS THING IS A LITTLE PORKER..I AM LOOKING FOR A HONDA CRV FOR BETTER MILEAGE.DOES ANYBODY HAVE ANY SUGGESTION FOR IMPROVING FROM 15-17 MILES PER GA.1997/4DOOR AWD?DOES TIRE SIZE MATTER?

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  Very, Very Safe - 1998 Toyota Camry
  By Patrick32787 - April 17 - 10:00 am

  I purchased a 1998 Toyota Camry LE 4- Cylinder on 12-11-98 as a pre-owned toyota with 15,000 on it. The car was great until we noticed our particular camry everytime you punch the gas it would smell like rotten eggs. Toyota never answered us on this. But overall this car is nice and very safe. we had 160,000 before my sister fell asleep one night driving doin 60 with her foot down on the pedal and crashed into 2 trees. there was nothing left of the car but she would have died if it was a different car. the airbag and seatbelt saved her life and camrys are very safe!

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  Toyota USA please read - 2003 Toyota Camry
  By new2camrySE - April 17 - 10:00 am

  Bought vehicle 2 wks ago (300 miles on clock), and noticing problems. Car is already making random rattling noises, moon roof not closing properly and getting constant vibration in steering wheel. Really upset, given Toyotas reputation for build quality (considering buying another vehicle already).

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  09 camry goes well for a 4 cylinder! - 2009 Toyota Camry
  By fordtaurus98 - April 16 - 5:07 pm

  we bought our camry right off the show room floor in saco maine. it is red with the basic wheels, loaded edition. it has bout 42 thousand miles. we havnt had one single problem with it. handles the bumps like how a middle priced, middle sized sedan should. exceleration is not bad, but the little 4-banger pushes out 158 hp, which is pretty good!. were happy with it, yeah the plastics are not the best inside, but this is not a mercaedes (or how ever you spell it). going 100 miles per hour on the highway is a breez, it only tachs about 2900-3000 rpm!