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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  Outstanding Camry! - 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By hdworkman - May 3 - 10:43 pm

  Great ride, quiet interior, great gas mileage. I went from a Ford F150 to the Camry for the gas mileage. Wow what a great car. The seats are very comfortable which also wrap around you. I am adding Sirius radio which is on order now. I am getting quite a few inquires from my coworkers on the gas mileage and power. I tell them my first tank right now is around 35 mpg and the car also has great pickup.

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  I love my truck! - 2002 Toyota Tacoma
  By Toni - May 3 - 8:38 pm

  Aside from basic maintenance, this vehicle has never needed major repairs. I had the truck for 15 years and could still drive it another 100k.

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  Great Family SUV - 2016 Toyota Highlander
  By Lisa Heffner - May 3 - 7:11 pm

  I needed an SUV to cart around my three children and all of their friends but didnt want a minivan. The Toyota Highlander is the perfect vehicle for us. I have the AWD version so that gas mileage isnt amazing but it is good and the handling in adverse weather conditions is excellent. I got a great deal on the vehicle at $34,000 and they seem to maintain their value. A big deciding factor for me is the reliability of the car. I wanted a vehicle that I wont constantly have to be bringing to the shop to fix "wear and tear" items. I dont have the time or energy to waste on going back and forth to the mechanic. When considering this vehicle I talked to my mechanic (that I love and trust) and he said that if everyone owned Toyotas, hed be out of a job. He stated that Toyotas regularly come into the shop and leave with only scheduled maintenance. The exterior styling could have been more unique for my tastes but it is classy and pretty sleek so Ill take it. The interior even at the LE Plus trim level is excellent. It is stain resistant cloth through the middle of the seats but trimmed with synthetic leather. After a month of driving it, my kids havent managed to stain anything yet. I also love that the middle seats slide forward (without having to remove the booster seats) to access the rear seats. You can also slide the middle seats forward or backward in many different positions to allow for more or less leg room in the third row. Having 8 seats is such a blessing. I find that I often keep only two seats up in the third row to give myself plenty of cargo space. I am looking forward to driving this car for many years to come.

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  Love this car - 2009 Toyota Yaris
  By Elaine - May 3 - 3:40 pm

  Believe it or not I purchased a 2009 Corolla S one month earlier and hated it. Traded it in for this cute little Yaris and even with the loss I took am so much happier with this car. Feels tight and sturdy. Easy and such fun to drive.

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  Exceptional ride - 2006 Toyota Camry Solara
  By CHUCK AF1996 - May 3 - 12:10 pm

  Quiet ride with top up. Comfort is so superior to the Sebring convertible I owned before. Exceptional convertible for the money and quality.

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  Really like this SUV - 2008 Toyota Highlander
  By Ed - May 2 - 10:33 pm

  Bought this Highlander Sport a little over a month ago. So far its great. Fun to drive and tons of room. And the engine is much better than the Explorer or Subaru I used to own. Im getting just over 17 mpg pure city - no highway yet. Cant wait to see what it is on the highway but if its at least the 23 they list then Ill be happy. The only thing I dont really like is the EAS - electonic assist steering. Its a little too touchy/boosted. Id rater have a little more road feel. But it does turn on a dime. I did not get the upgrade to the JBL sound/sun roof/climate control - if you can afford the extra $2000 it is probably worth it just for the sound. Great vehicle overall.

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  The Best - 2004 Toyota Highlander
  By Zvlan - May 2 - 6:33 pm

  I have owned many SUVs or what they used to call 4 wheel drives from 1960 Jeeps to all types of Toyotas. This Highlander is by far the best I ever owned. I was going to buy a new one but Im afraid with the new look for the Highlander this new one would never live up to its predecessor. I am probably wrong and I do plan to buy when my payments end.

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  review - 2003 Toyota Sequoia
  By nowwhat - May 2 - 10:00 am

  We are very very very very very very very happy with this suv

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  Great Family Wagon - 2004 Toyota Matrix
  By brianmc - May 2 - 10:00 am

  After exhaustive research and numerous test drives of the competetion I finally bought a Matrix Xr. It is the best in its class beating the PT and Mazda P5 Hands down on comfort and ride. P5 was VERY loud and I felt EVERY bump in the road. I drove over a railroad crosing and I felt like I was in a soapbox derby car. PT felt cheap and was hard to see out of. Matrix is the right mix of a sporty car and family wagon. I think all car editors that do reviews tend to forget that not everyone NEEDS a car that can do 0-60 in 5.0 sec and take a corner at 65mph.. Who cares?!! Just give me an inexpensive, reliable and fun car to drive. Matrix fits that bill.

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  great 4runner - 1999 Toyota 4Runner
  By 4runner - May 2 - 10:00 am

  i love toyota. the 4runner has excellent handling on and off road. ill never buy anything other than a 4runner.