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:

• 

  Best car I have ever owned - 2006 Toyota Avalon
  By Gene - June 9 - 11:40 am

  I have owned over an estimated fifty (50) cars in my life time and this Avalon is the best. My last seven have been Toyota including three (3) trucks. This car is an engineering marvel. I love the ride, gas mileage, rooming, security, everything is easy to get at. Folks, Toyota has done it again, THE BEST.

• 

  Great Value - 1998 Toyota Corolla
  By gasparma - June 9 - 2:00 am

  This car has been an incredibly reliable, low maintenance vehicle that has performed as well as I expect a Toyota to perform. Other than the routine maintenance, only had one problem (throttle control valve) that was replaced by the dealership. This is a great car for those whose egos dont need to be soothed by driving the biggest, fastest, etc. vehicle out there.

• 

  Awesome Truck - 2001 Toyota Tundra
  By jeffmeister - June 9 - 2:00 am

  Buy It. It rocks. I get about 18mpg. good enough for me & a truck. I have the "Ivan Stewart" edition, so I am god-like. best truck made 2001-2002 9.90 out of 10.00

• 

  You Gotta Get One Of These!!! - 2004 Toyota Prius
  By J. - K. - June 9 - 2:00 am

  I actually got this car as a renter when I had some major warranty work performed on my own car. But after getting to drive this car I only wished the my car was kept in the shop longer. This thing drives like a dream and I am SERIOUSLY thinking about parking one in my garage in the near future. The car itself is conversation piece whereever I go and gets the most unusal stares while rolling down the Boulevard. Its a technological Tour de Force and I can easily why it was Motor Trends Car of the Year and also in Car and Drivers Ten Best lineup.

• 

  Love it! - 2003 Toyota Matrix
  By emineee - June 9 - 2:00 am

  This is the first brand new car I had ever bought myself. I love it. My former car, a Prizm, set the bar pretty high for fuel mileage, but so far the Matrix is living up to its predecessor. The mileage is very important to me and the environment. The Matrix also offers more room, a comfortable ride, it handled great in the recent 7 inches of snow North Dakota got, and its zippy. People are drawn to it when they see it--and fall in love with it soon after. It also has more back seat room than the RAV-4 I looked at and it was cheaper.

• 

  2004 Sequoia - 2004 Toyota Sequoia
  By jimbrink - June 9 - 2:00 am

  Well-built, superb finish, solid ride, a lot of pep from the engine, engine the smoothest Ive ever encountered, huge on the inside, the climate control and audio systems are excellent

• 

  wouldnt buy another truck..no wy no how! - 2003 Toyota Tacoma
  By emptyn - June 9 - 2:00 am

  i have had three tacomas but bought the 4 door for and expanding family..always reliable no matter what i have worked at toyota for 7 years and wouldnt think about buying another vehicle if i were forced too

• 

  Love it - 2004 Toyota 4Runner
  By vj s - June 9 - 2:00 am

  Just bought the 2004 4Runner SR5 with third row option. I like the silver bumper that come with the galactic gray color. Love the feature that individual seat on second and third row can be fold down to put my ski. Drove the car to my ski resort in the snow and this thing rocks. The VSC is cool and it helped me once on a really icy surface.

• 

  Corolla Comfort in a Cold North Country - 2004 Toyota Corolla
  By MacChuck - June 9 - 2:00 am

  We love the roominess that allows us and a preteen and two teenagers to fit in a 4 door when we all want to go out together as a family. Overdrive automatic transmission and fuel efficiency are the kinds of great things we have come to expect from Toyota.

• 

  Cant go wrong with a Toyota - 2004 Toyota Corolla
  By Fireman Dan - June 9 - 2:00 am

  If you want value and saftey with a sound ride and roominess to boot, then the Corolla is for you! No sense in trying the Toyota/GM Matrix/Vibe! Why spend the extra dough on looks? It gets worse gas milage, doesnt have any more usable room, and is half GM (need I say more). Go with reliability. Go with Toyota!