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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  just another review - 2003 Toyota 4Runner
  By 4runnercrazy - February 28 - 10:00 am

  I love this car since its my first since my previa lol. I love the moonroof, the leather interior (if u dont get the limited edtion, why even buy a 4runner?), SEAT WARMERS ON THE FRONT 2 SEATS, all the cargo space in the back, theres a few hangers on the back for shopping bags, grocery store bags, or clothes, and the little handle on the inside of the back door so its easier to close the back door.

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  Great Design - 2003 Toyota Tacoma
  By dypugh - February 28 - 10:00 am

  I choose the DoubleCab so that I can carry more the one passenger. I has plenty of room for 5 people. The front leg room needs improvement. The ride is bumpy. I took a trip to Laughlin, NV, and it was a nice ride and good gas milage.

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  kens - 2003 Toyota Highlander
  By kens - February 28 - 10:00 am

  i feel very safe in this vehicle .

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  This Is A New Car? - 2004 Toyota Corolla
  By Phil Ory - February 28 - 10:00 am

  If you?re looking for a car that has antique rear drum brakes, and an equally old fashioned cassette tape player, then this is the car for you. I dont even know anyone thats touched a cassette tape for the last 5 years. Whats next Toyota, an eight track tape player, and drum brakes on the front? This is 2003, not 1983. Get with it Toyota?.join the rest of us here in the present. And what?s with the radio antenna? It looks like a small dorsal fin sticking up out of the roof?why couldn?t it be embedded in the rear glass? That way we wouldn?t have to remove it before going through the carwash.

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  2001 Prius - 2001 Toyota Prius
  By Kent - February 27 - 11:46 pm

  This model of car has some major issues which will become increasingly apparent as it ages. Advice: dont give a review on this car until you have owned it for more than six months. Toyota does not stand behind the warranties on this model of car and tries to weasel out of repairs--this is from a 30+ year Toyota owner. It should have been recalled for defective rack and pinion steering (same as in the later models), inverter and computer problems and accelerator pedal assembly--all very expensive problems to repair. After having owned this car for one year, with two months spent in the repair shop, negotiating with Toyota, I cwill not purchase another Toyota car. Advice: stay away!

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  Better Camry since 90s! - 2012 Toyota Camry
  By catastrophz - February 27 - 10:51 pm

  I bought my 12 SE with standard equips about 6 weeks ago and already put 2800 miles on it. Im getting 33 avg mpg with easy-on-the-pedal. I kind of regret not test-driving the competitors, Honda Accord and VW GLI/Passat in particular. I like Camrys interior best, in terms of design, not so much quality (not terrible, just not as quality as Accord/maybe VWs). Reason I never bothered with Hondas was because my relatives have Acura MDXs (03 and 07s) and Honda Odessey (02), all have bad transmissions. 3 of 5 MDXs had some sort of transmission grinding-like noises and slipping gear-like, car start to jerk going 30+ mph. Engine mounts went bad and makes the engine shaky/metal clanking/etc..

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  Nice car - 2010 Toyota Camry
  By Ottawa - February 27 - 4:00 am

  Have had the car a few days. Almost perfect in every respect. Got the Touring Package - well worth it. Never had a moonroof before - nice. Gas mileage a bit disappointing so far given Im taking it easy, but until broken in, not surprising. Bad lower back, so really like the power lumbar support. Only complaint - the brake pedal clunks when released. Should have added a rubber stop to prevent this. Michelin Energy tires handle fine but a bit noisier than expected at 100 k per hour. Test drove the 2.4 2009 with 5 speed trans. Perhaps my imagination, but the 2.5 6 speed seemed a lot more responsive, + LED tail lights, new front end design, & claims of better gas mileage, so went with the 2010.

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  Nice Truck but... - 2009 Toyota Tundra
  By JASON - February 25 - 4:06 pm

  Traded my Ford 150 FX4 in for this truck and have to say that I told myself I would never buy a Toyota for a truck. With that said this truck is really power full with the 4.7 engine and for the base model its got everything you could want and some. I have not put enough miles to write a good review but do like the feel of the cab. Its got storage out the wazoo and a full size bed as well as cab. I was going to go for the crew-cab but the double is more than enough. This truck turns very sharp for a full size and when you step on the gas you go... For a base model non-4x4 truck this thing gets my vote and the price of it was amazing...

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  Overall: A decent car. - 2004 Toyota Camry
  By Bigmike1014 - February 24 - 9:23 pm

  I bought this car a little over a year ago. So far, everything has been all right, (at best). Heres the deal, so far my cars been completely reliable to me, but then again any car should be within the first few years. THE BAD: (and I need to take it to a dealer on this: 1.) Leaking water sound EVERY time I accelerate. Sounds like water is swooshing around in dash, 2.) FOUL ODORS, when accelerating fast, and when turning on the A/C. 3.) for whatever reason (especially when humid, the belt squeals constantly. 4.) Interior quality is poor. The "painted plastic" is wearing everywhere. 5.) Gas mileage is not what I thought it would be, Could be due to one of the above issues? Dont know.

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  Very happy - 2008 Toyota Highlander
  By pointpetre - February 24 - 9:03 pm

  I have had this FWD Highlander for less than a month. I have about 2300 miles. Traveled a lot over Christmas and several trips from Fairfax, Virginia to Duck, NC and Virginia Beach. Surprised that the in town gas mileage is better than the EPA rating. Even on the first tank in town when the HL had less than 50 miles on it, the mileage under bad circumstances was over 19. Commuting to metro and in heavy traffic, Ive done about 22 average on a tank of gas in town On the highway, I have been for times as high as 27.6 MPG, but my best tank average was about 26 with 25 being more common so far. Still, that is better than the EPA rating, and Im traveling with I-95 and I-64 traffic at 75+