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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  We Love Our Echo - 2002 Toyota Echo
  By Grandpa - July 21 - 10:46 pm

  I am 62 years old, and Ive owned a lot of cars. Our Echo is the best car we have ever owned. The ONLY weakness is on ice with a coating of snow, but I put studded snow tires on the front and the problem was solved. It is noisy on the highway, but it is an economy car, and and a really good one. I only wish that I could buy a brand new one exactly like it 5-6 years from now. I got rear ended by a ford ranger. There was more damage to the Ranger. The Echo takes a punch, too! It still has the factory battery in it. Seven years and still cranking.

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  Recommended Highly - 2005 Toyota RAV4
  By JD - July 21 - 8:40 pm

  I have practically lived in my RAV4 the past year due to graduate school and driving around the East Coast to see family and for interviews. So I have ranked up the miles on this SUV and everything is perfect!:) I get a lot of compliments with the way it looks (I have it in black) to the way it drives. There is a ton of storage space if your moving a studio apartment around like I did. It is worth the money and you will save on gas!

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  Favorite For A Third Time Corolla Owner - 2005 Toyota Corolla
  By Bethany Boyd - July 21 - 8:26 pm

  I just bought this car and, so far, its the best Corolla Ive had in 7 years. (my last 2 were LEs) So far, this car has exceeded my expectations.

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  Excellent little car - 2002 Toyota Echo
  By deyzel - July 21 - 6:33 pm

  When I bought it in 2002 it was all I could afford. Now 7 years later I do not want to drive anything else. Not a single problem and great fuel economy on top of that. Add trouble free driving in the brutal Alberta winters to the list of praise. Being handed off to my girls now and I am sure they will get another 7 years of trouble free driving.

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  Cant Get Better Than This - 2006 Toyota 4Runner
  By Reliability - July 21 - 3:00 pm

  I have had this vehicle for three years and, at 80K plus miles, I have not had a single mechanical malfunction. It drives great and has great roadability. It is easy to maneuver, even in small/tight spaces. The driver sits high and this provides great overall vision of your surroundings. In regards to quality, cant beat Toyotas quality or dependability.

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  Best SUV out there - 2003 Toyota 4Runner
  By 4Jogger125 - July 21 - 10:10 am

  Ive had my 4Runner for exactly 3 years and have done nothing to it minus your oil changes, etc. I have never had a bobble out of my Toyota. I actually do not have a 4WD, and it is top notch in the snow, so I could only imagine how great a 4WD would be. Im 20 years old and I drive hard, but my 4Runner can most certainly keep up. From my short experience as a driver, I am almost certain I will buy nothing but Toyotas from now on.

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  Still Reliable - 2005 Toyota Corolla
  By RCOBB - July 21 - 7:00 am

  I bought this car with 97,000 miles in 2008 from a certified dealer. This is my 3rd Corolla. The Gas Mileage on the street is 30-33 mpg, only when I drive between 35mpg and 42mph. The cars elevated height has a PRO & CON. CON: when backing up (or making a turn at a low curb) it becomes difficult hard to judge the distance of the car behind me, or the curb below. PRO: rocks, curbs and parking blocks wont scratch the bumper, or my under-siding at all. The Seats are comfortable enough for a little car. And at 57, I can sleep in it, for a few hours, reclined. The sun visor hits the rear-view mirror. I change my oil before 3,000 miles. And I change Trans fluid once a year. No repairs so far.

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  2007 Camry very nice - 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By Lorenzo - July 21 - 5:16 am

  Im getting 40 mpg ave. on freeway and street driving. You have to use common sense too to save gas. If youre going downhill try to keep your foot off the gas pedal. Uphill, try if you can to use cruise control to 65-70mph and let the onboard computer regulate the gas - this will recharge the battery greatly. Cruise control is not recommended for those with poor reflex.

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  Satisfied but could be happier - 2006 Toyota RAV4
  By Prashant Upadhyaya - July 20 - 9:26 pm

  Clocked around 5000 miles in 3 months, including many 200 mile trips. Let me directly go to drawbacks.... 1.) No auto headlights/door locks. 2.) Window controls invisible in dark and look cheap. 3.) Cupholders are atrocious. 4.) Expensive and no negotiations. 5.) Transmission, hesitant initially, then kicks in. 6.) Temp display could be better. 7.) Cruise control initially confusing. 8.) Maybe it is unique to me, but the gas level indicator is very misleading. The last quarter is over in less than 30 miles. 9.) The gas low indicator should blink or something. 10.) Of course, mileage is around 19/20 only.. But then I drive at around 80-85 in highway. 11.)Rear door should open up. 12.) Very noisy ride with moonroof open

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  WOW!!! - 2011 Toyota Prius
  By tomhocutt712 - July 20 - 11:54 am

  Just got into a prius 5. I was a honda person for many years up until recently whle dealign with quality issues that I just could not work through. I wa considering a Mazda5 but gas prices suddenly jumped up and this became the more responisble purchase. Its smaller than Im used to but it wil get the job done.