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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  AWESOME LOOKS AND FEEL - 2003 Toyota Corolla
  By Kelly - April 14 - 10:00 am

  GREAT CAR GREAT CAR COMPANY WHAT MORE CAN ONE SAY......................... TOYOTA.. GET THE FEELING

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  Great Value at an affordible price!! - 2003 Toyota Corolla
  By Darrin L. Haug - April 14 - 10:00 am

  GREAT VEHICLE AT A GREAT PRICE ..LOVE THE NEW RE-DESIGN S VERY SPORTY AND GETS ALOT OF ATTENTION.NOT TO MENTION TOYOTAS SUPERIOR REPUTATION FOR DEPENDABILITY AND RELIABILITY..........OVER ALL A SURE BET!!

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  AWESOME LOOKS AND FEEL - 2003 Toyota Corolla
  By KELLY - April 14 - 10:00 am

  GREAT CAR GREAT CAR COMPANY WHAT MORE CAN ONE SAY......................... TOYOTA.. GET THE FEELING

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  Pin Drop - 2002 Toyota Camry
  By as2002 - April 14 - 10:00 am

  I am a helicopter pilot here at Fort Rucker Alabama... as my wife and I were driving down the road we saw a helicopter come right over us... for those of you who dont know how loud a Huey is IT IS LOUD AS HELL... but we didnt even hear it until i rolled down the window...truly amazing...quite ride.

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  Love My New Venza - 2009 Toyota Venza
  By Pretty Boi - April 14 - 8:56 am

  Just traded my 06 Solara SLE for a new Venza in Sunset Bronze Mica. I have received so many compliments on the color of this car alone. It handles very much like a sedan and the ride height is perfect. It also has a large number of useful luxuries.

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  Why Did I Wait? - 2006 Toyota Tacoma
  By Kelshm - April 14 - 4:40 am

  I am your typical "Truck Guy". I have loved the small 4X4 pickup since Datsun had them out in the early 80s. I have never owned one though, until this one. I dont know why I waited so long. In my job I drive many vehicles and once I drove the 06 Tacoma, I knew I was home. I havent driven a smoother more comfortable pickup of this size ever. I also have a disability that causes me to suffer a great deal of pain when driving most vehicles. I dont experience any pain when driving my Tacoma. If everyone built a vehicle this solid and reliable, I would be out of work. There is a reason that a used Tacoma sells at or near its original selling price.

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  Love the 4Runner - 2005 Toyota 4Runner
  By dan - April 14 - 3:50 am

  2005 Limited 4wd 4Runner V8. I bought the 4Runner new and I have averaged about 17500 miles per year. The 4Runner has exceeded my expectations. From the snow and ice in D.C. to the beaches of Florida outstanding in every area. I have made a number of cross country trips and of course plenty of running around town with exceptional performance. This is my second 4Runner and i have found the improvements numerous. The exterior is eyecatching and clean, rugged yet sleek, not too big and not too small. The interior is vastly improved. Ergonomic controls, dual climate control, heated seats, roomy comfortable, quality leather seats, great sound system and nav system, backup camera. Highly recommend.

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  Awesome Car - 1999 Toyota Camry
  By Angelica - April 14 - 2:56 am

  I absolutely love this car! I waited a year before I decided to post a review, because I wanted to be sure my opinion was reliable. For one, this car has never given me ANY problems except for having to get a new battery about a month after I purchased it...which was mostly the dealerships fault for having an old recharged one in the car. The only thing Ive replaced is the tires...never stalls, idles and drives smoother than my mothers 2005 Saturn ....I love this car and when I am ready to trade it in, it will definitely be for another Camry!

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  Bombproof, useful, reliable truck. - 2001 Toyota 4Runner
  By Chris - April 13 - 7:58 pm

  I bought one as a second vehicle in 2014 with 200k on the odometer after looking around Craigslist for several weeks and inspecting a handful of 3rd generation 4Runners. After finding the cleanest single-owner vehicle with service records, I bought it for $5500 and it now has just over 210,000 on it. Ive done very little to it, except drive it on weekends, feed its rather thirsty appetite for gas, change the oil annually, and keep it clean. One notable minor repair has been made: Check-Engine light was on when I bought it and couldnt pass emissions as it were, so I pulled the code and traced it to a faulty charcoal canister near the fuel tank. I found a used one on an auto parts salvage website for $95 and replaced it myself in 2 hours, cleared the code, and saved about $600 from going to a mechanic for a new part. Another minor modification has been made: I added a transmission oil cooler outside the radiator to bypass the internal oil cooler inside the radiator. It is a known and well-documented risk that the internal cooler is prone to corrosion and eventually leaking engine coolant into the transmission oil, thus ruining the transmission. Both of these jobs were clearly explained in numerous Toyota forums and YouTube videos. Overall, the internet forums have thousands of posts pertaining to these trucks and the support community of fellow owners is fantastic. This vehicle is a truck and it rides like one. Interior is basic and functional, but even after 16 years, everything works and nothing doesnt. It is by far the most reliable and well-made vehicle Ive owned. I could sell it tomorrow for exactly what I paid for it. How many other vehicles could you say that about?

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  Best family car ever owned! - 2005 Toyota Highlander
  By blakecman - April 13 - 6:11 am

  My 2005 Toyota Highlander is great, it is easy to get 25 miles to the gallon, and it is more socially appropriate considering my kid is going to high school compared to any minivan. Has over 100,000 miles on the odo and has the same comfort as my family friends Lexus RX! Personally am going to buy the newer hybrid version due to huge numbr of miles on car.