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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  Toyota GPS - Do not purchase - 2011 Toyota Sienna
  By paulb9 - March 11 - 2:58 pm

  The installed Toyota GPS, while fun to use with its large touch screen is DVD based, and the disk provided with my NEW Sienna was two years out of date... does not even have my street included (5 years old). AND... Toyota wants a ridiculous $250 for an updated disk! You can purchase a much better GPS, more features, and lifetime map updates for a little more than half that. Just stick it to the face of the Toyota display... Come on Toyota - get reasonable. A NEW car should at least have a current verions disk... and be provided with updates during warranty.

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  Could not kill it! - 1999 Toyota Corolla
  By themanindbox - March 11 - 3:41 am

  Well, I owned a 99 corolla from new until 2005 when I sold it for 4 grand. At that point it had a little over 315K miles on it, didnt burn oil, no lights, and everything that was in it worked. I had to replace oil every 3k miles, but that is about it. It handled better then a civic, got better mpg, and was faster off the line, not to mention cheaper to insure. I would love to get my hands on a 99 corolla with a blown motor with the options I had in mine, it is a perfect candidate for a 2zz swap. I have owned over 18 cars in my life, and nothing on the planet will take a beating like a Toyota. Not Honda, and nothing American can come close.

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  Our new Camry - 2009 Toyota Camry
  By satisfied - March 11 - 12:36 am

  We are long term owners when we purchase a vehicle. After 4 1/2 months, 3500 miles - we are not at all dissatisfied with our decision to purchase another Toyota. Very dependable, good looking and economical. Glad we went with the 4 cyl. I like the car.

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  Blind spots - 2004 Toyota Camry Solara
  By solara - March 10 - 5:10 pm

  The cars rides like a jewel. The worst thing is the roll bar in the rear, one cannot see what is in back of them, and also the rear window is small. The interior design is not very conducive to convenience of using the back seat area for putting packages on the floor temporarily. In fact you could eliminate the back seat area all together. No one can get back there to sit. I would not buy that model car again. I do love the Toyota engineering though, it is great over all.

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  Finally a Prius thats for normal people - 2010 Toyota Prius
  By Not big on hybrid - March 10 - 2:20 am

  The 2010 Prius is a big upgrade over the 2009. The engine has more power and runs quieter. I thought the 2009 was okay, but this one was worth buying. The seats feel good, the dash is laid out nicely, and I love the amount of interior space. Fold the rear seats down and you can carry a ladder or a load from Costco. The dash and navigation tend to show finger prints. Not sure why the leather Prius units have the heated seats button so low. I cannot see spending the money on the AT package found on the Prius 5. Park assist seems cool, but works about half the time. I like the rims of the Prius 5, but if I would leave the AT package off it. Prius III or II works fine in my opinion.

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  1992 TOYOTA CAMRY; 4-CYLINDER - 1992 Toyota Camry
  By Jon Doe - March 10 - 2:00 am

  I LIKE THIS CAR, BUT I HAVE HAD SOME PROBLEMS WITH MAINTENANCE ISSUE. I HAD BOTH DRIVE AXLES REPLACED, BOTH OIL SEALS, A TIMING BELT, A WATER PUMP AND ALL OF THE BRAKES WERE REPLACED. THE CAR IS TEN YEARS OLD AND DESPITE THESE THINGS, THE CAR HAS BEEN RELIABLE OVERALL.

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  1992 TOYOTA CAMRY; 4-CYLINDER - 1992 Toyota Camry
  By JON DOE - March 10 - 2:00 am

  I LIKE THIS CAR, BUT I HAVE HAD SOME PROBLEMS WITH MAINTENANCE ISSUE. I HAD BOTH DRIVE AXLES REPLACED, BOTH OIL SEALS, A TIMING BELT, A WATER PUMP AND ALL OF THE BRAKES WERE REPLACED. THE CAR IS TEN YEARS OLD AND DESPITE THESE THINGS, THE CAR HAS BEEN RELIABLE OVERALL.

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  Landcruiser lovers... - 2000 Toyota Land Cruiser
  By Kris - March 10 - 2:00 am

  We love the landcruiser! This vehicle was made for families on the go looking for power, safety & luxurious comfort

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  Solid Truck - 2003 Toyota Tacoma
  By RT - March 10 - 2:00 am

  Excellent Truck. TRD package is worth the extra. Some minor rattles in the dash area.

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  Transmission issues - 2003 Toyota Corolla
  By Lynette Morris - March 10 - 2:00 am

  When Toyota redesigned this vechile they did a great job. I had a Camry and when it died I drove the 2002 Corolla and hated it, but fell in love with the 2003. Like everyone else there are alot of rattles and shakes in this car, but mainly I have had major transmission problems. I have an automatic and sometimes it will not shift up in gears. It revs at 3000 RPMs and I have to put it in reverse to correct it. Ive had it at Toyota 4 times and they said they can not find the problem until the Engine light comes on. I am literally afraid to drive it. Toyota designed a great car but their service has downgraded big time.