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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  Great ride, great investment, great truck - 2005 Toyota Tacoma
  By Al Ferreira - March 14 - 9:13 pm

  I just recently bought the 05 Tacoma and I absolutely love it. It has the interior feel of an SUV and rides like a Mercedes. This truck was made with a lot more attention to the interior than previous models. The seats are so comfortable and the dash is easily accessible and looks great. The interior is so roomy in the front and the back. But the best thing about driving this truck is the horsepower. When I first bought the truck I left the dealership parking lot spinning the tires not realizing how much power this truck had to offer. I love my truck and I would never trade it in for anything else. Just like every other person I wanted to get the most for my money and I definitely found it.

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  Well Rounded Vehicle - 2009 Toyota Venza
  By TXVenza - March 14 - 3:26 pm

  I am surprised by how much I like the Venza. My numeric ratings are based on comparison to peer vehicles. It is comfortable to drive and is very comfortable for passengers. My wife and I made a 2,000 mile round trip from Central TX to Phoenix. We experienced 26 MPG on this highway trip and cruised at 80 MPH during large stretches of the trip. The Venza is also a good day-to-day vehicle. It is quite capable of hauling small to mid-size items (groceries to small furniture items). Acceleration is surprisingly good. It feels "heavy" during cornering. The electronics (Navigation and stereo) are good. The ride is solid. Cabin noise is quiet up to about 65 MPH and never too loud.

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  Car of 2004 N America/Car of 2005 Europe - 2005 Toyota Prius
  By HAPPY PRIUS OWNER! - March 14 - 11:50 am

  Absolutely EXCELLENT! Car of 2004 in N America & Car of 2005 in Europe! YES!" Waited 8 months in line to get it, but deserves it, 100% Yes! I like one’s review on MSN: "Have owned BMWs, Hondas, Mazdas...this is by far the best. So good that I bought 2 of them." He/She is 100% right!

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  It has been a year - 2010 Toyota Venza
  By luvtoyota10 - March 14 - 10:01 am

  It has been a year ( and 2 weeks) Since I got my 2010 Toyota Venza. Its Fun To Drive compared to my previous vehicle (2000 toyota 4runner). The sterring may be light but it is very agile. The ride is bumpy but I got over it. Its Great in the snow. I feel safe in it and it handles well in wet conditions. The color is fantastic. Very comfortable seats and good (front visibility) the Back up camera helps alot. The bluetooth streaming audio is fabulous.

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  Great All-around Sedan - 2011 Toyota Camry
  By wimbimlim - March 14 - 3:46 am

  This car is exceptional in many ways. It drives like a luxury car, but costs MUCH less. I also like the great mileage you get with the 4 cyl. It has enough pickup to get moving quickly, but it isnt wasteful. On a recent trip, it said it was averaging 39 MPG Hwy. I think that is a bit overly optimistic, but it was pretty close to 35-36, which is great for a car this size.

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  This Camry is fun to drive - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By Joe - March 13 - 9:56 pm

  Just took delivery of my 2007 Camry XLE 6 Cyl (white). This is my 4th camry and these cars never fail to exceed my expectaions. Ive had all LEs in the past with 4 cyl, until now. The 6 cyl in this car has great acceleration. Other car makers should learn from Toyota that you dont need premium fuel to make a fun ride. The car is really fun to drive. The interior design is excellent (leather with heated seats). Material issues that Ive read about havent caught my eye, and if reliability and performance are as I expect them to be, who cares. The trans seems to shift fine (when really cold and fully warmed). The stereo sounds great. Ill be riding around in this baby for a long time.

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  Great little car! - 2002 Toyota Prius
  By gran1 - March 13 - 10:00 am

  Weve only put a few thousand miles on it, but its been a lot of highway miles. Its very comfortable. I think Toyota could have boosted the quality of the seats, but its still comfortable. My main "gripe" is the center arm rest. I drove the car for about a month and then ordered the extension from Coastal Technology. I was concerned about muddy roads as we have a pretty good stretch to drive on them when it rains. Front wheel drive handles it like a charm! Were getting a constant 46 - 47 miles to the gallon. We drive 35 miles each way to work, plus around town driving. The mileage seems to get better as its broken in. Sooooo much better than the Jeep Grand Cherokee!

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  Excellent - 1997 Toyota Corolla
  By kshan77 - March 13 - 10:00 am

  Excellent

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  Very Happy - 2000 Toyota Tacoma
  By Jim Flores - March 13 - 10:00 am

  Have had my Tacoma 4X4 for 1 and a half years and regard buying it as the best auto purchase I have yet made. Its been perfectly reliable and fun to drive. Its become routine for strangers to ask me how I like it and express their interest in buying one. The only drawbacks are driving in high wind, not too bad though, and the drivers seat/ console could be improved.

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  Very cool vehicle - 2002 Toyota Sequoia
  By mysequoia - March 13 - 10:00 am

  Have only owned it 4 months/4000 miles but I love it. Uses a lot of gas (avg 15.2 mpg mostly city driving). Lots of room inside, comfortable seats. 3rd row easy to remove/install. Rear passenger climate controls are great. Sunroof is huge. Dont care for the default of outside air for a/c rather than recirculate.