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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  I absolutely love my car!! - 2015 Toyota Camry
  By Linda E - April 26 - 1:12 pm

  Ive had sports cars(Mitsubishi and Corvette) and older Camrys, Celicas, Fiat... this is my favorite car!! It is so comfortable. I got leather seats and loaded with extras and I am so happy with my car purchase. The dealership (Cabe Toyota in Long Beach) was the BEST!!! Evan Morioka was so knowledgeable and the entire support team has been fantastic! So glad I bought this car.

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  Very nice car - 2005 Toyota Camry
  By derek - April 26 - 11:53 am

  Very smooth ride. Lots of leg room. Very comfy seats. All handles are easy to reach. Very quite all the way around. Good fuel economy also.

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  Great SUV - 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
  By bmore - April 26 - 11:13 am

  I have been extremely pleased with my purchase. The vehicle accelerates wonderfully. I have been averaging 25- 26 mpg (mostly highway and AC on 100%). Which is a great thing since gas prices are hitting close to $3. I do wish it had power locks. The Nav package is very nice.

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  Great car - 2003 Toyota Prius
  By FarmerSteve - April 26 - 2:00 am

  The gas mileage is great - 44 mpg overall, including 60-70% freeway at 70 mph. Penalty if over 70 mph. More like 50 mpg at 50 mph on secondary roads. Quiet at any speed, and quietest at traffic lights. Great sound system (partly because of the quiet ride). Other than great mileage, this car is simply fun and easy to drive. Visibility is tremendous, easy and responsive steering, very nimble and easily parked. Great for short errands OR long trips - you just arrive refreshed, which cannot be said for many other vehicles.

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  Daves 4-Runner - 1997 Toyota 4Runner
  By pookey - April 26 - 2:00 am

  I love this car/SUV.

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  Excellent Vehicle - 1999 Toyota 4Runner
  By Vegas4Runner - April 26 - 2:00 am

  Awesome SUV. I am amazed with the driveability & handling. What makes it so impressive is that you can drive it as if it was sedan - smooth, quiet, and comfortable OR like a truck - torque and 4WD, when you need it. The only negative is the gas mileage. I have found that if I drive it light and smooth, I am able to get about 260 miles/tank. However, if I drive it heavier, Ill be lucky to get 210 miles out of a full tank. Lets just say that the 4runner has taught me to become a more patient & relaxed driver, which is a good thing I suppose. Additionally, although I havent tried towing anything yet, I feel that the power is quite plentiful.

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  A Wonderful Ride - 2004 Toyota Prius
  By drpills - April 26 - 2:00 am

  The first thing that struck me about this car was how quiet it is. Compared to my Avalon, Camry, and Honda Odyssey, this car is nearly silent at street speeds, even with the engine running. The Smart Entry and Start feature is very handy, and almost spoils the Prius driver (wheres that feature for my house?). The cabin is laid out logically and the speedo display is placed better than the earlier generation Prius. Its no race car, but performance is credible, and fuel economy is incredible - about 45-47 in my real world experience. Handling is actually pretty good, a lot better than my 97 Avalon.

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  04 Seqouia - 2004 Toyota Sequoia
  By Filmwritin - April 26 - 2:00 am

  The fit and finish on this vehicle is excellent. Better all around than expected. Much more quality and comfort for the dollar then the domestic competition.

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  Great Value - 2004 Toyota Camry Solara
  By BimmerM5104 - April 26 - 2:00 am

  I just recently purchased the Solara Sport SE V6, and i think it is a great car. It handles well, and doesnt sacrifice ride quality, as tends to happen with sport suspension packages. The price is right too, you get a great car for your money.

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  Very Impressive after 6 months!! - 2003 Toyota Tacoma
  By G Williams - April 26 - 2:00 am

  Waited 6 months before writing my review and happily report that I have not had ANY problems. Build quality is great. Resale value is excellent. I get many compliments from strangers...."nice truck". Being very particular about my vehicles, I compared the Toyota with its competition. Found the Totota to be a more attractive total package. My wife and I both love the room the 4 door model offers. I chose the 2.7 liter engine over the 3.4 due primarily to the 4 cylinders established history for bullet proof reliability. I gladly traded off the performance for better fuel economy ( 23+ mpg around town!) Plan on keeping my truck many, many years!