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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  The Original Tonka Truck - 1996 Toyota Tacoma
  By khoisklone - June 8 - 10:00 am

  I bought this from a friend who took good care of it but never used it. NEVER had any problems with this truck, just regular oil changes and tune-ups. Great city driving, very good handling for such a longer vehicle, but this (my) truck craves the out doors. It loves dirt roads, rocky roads and shallow streams. Drives through snow like it was four- wheel-drive. In many ways this truck is like an baseball glove. The older it gets the more character it has. And with age the glove and the truck forms around its user - it is very responsive to my needs.

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  Great Car - 2000 Toyota Sienna
  By Don Ho - June 8 - 10:00 am

  I absolutely love this car. I was hesitant when looking because I had never had a van before and when I did my first test drive I called it a bus. Now that we have owned it for a few years, I really really like it and all the features. A TV in the ceiling is helpful for traveling distances with kids. We dont use it runing around town and it isnt noticeable when not in use. The remote headphones allow you to listen to radio in front while TV is on in back.

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  Toyota Tundra Fan - 2002 Toyota Tundra
  By oregon-agates - June 8 - 10:00 am

  We went from a Camry to the full sized Tundra. The truck is every bit as comforatble and easy to drive as the Camry is. What an engine. Very smooth and powerfull. Reminds me of the 1950s and 60s V8 era. As far as the back seat goes, it is comforatble for short (less than 500 miles) trips. The bed is shallow but for city truckers that is fine. I would say we will buy another but this one will probably last forever.

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  Best SUV ever! - 2000 Toyota 4Runner
  By Susie Q - June 8 - 10:00 am

  I am a petite girl and the 4Runner is the only SUV that I have driven that I can fit comfortably without being on top of the steering wheel. I have owned my truck for 32 months, have 51,000 miles on it and its never been in the shop for anything other then oil changes and scheduled maintenace. I plan on keeping it for a really long time!

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  Problems - 2000 Toyota Tundra
  By bpierce - June 8 - 10:00 am

  I like the truck for its looks and comfort but Have I had problems. Brakes are horrible designed. Have had three brake jobs. Throttle body went out, that cost $1200. It is in the shop right now because the check engine light came on. Turns out that there is a crack in the exhaust manifold due to poor metalology. Toyota is covering repair but in turn my o2 sensor went bad and there is carbon build up on my valves and "new" throttle body that they want charge to fix. Said Toyota does not cover incidental problems. Please, now I have to hash it out with Toyota.

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  22k no problems - 2002 Toyota Corolla
  By Kurt - June 8 - 10:00 am

  We have had ours for a year and a half and not one single problem yet. never been to the dealer. we average 36.4 mpg. what more could you want?

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  22k no problems - 2002 Toyota Corolla
  By kurt - June 8 - 10:00 am

  We have had ours for a year and a half and not one single problem yet. never been to the dealer. we average 36.4 mpg. what more could you want?

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  Best buy for my money - 2003 Toyota Corolla
  By audit26 - June 8 - 10:00 am

  I compared several cars before I decided on the corolla. I got more for my money than I would have with the other ones I was considering. I had a 99 Monte Carlo and selling realestate it was hard for my clients to get in and out of the back seat and the gas mileage was another issue not a fuel efficent car. Now I have both fuel efficent car, plus style.

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  super car - 2003 Toyota Camry
  By gm - June 8 - 10:00 am

  it just goes. smooth quite, never a rattle or squeak. very comfortable. have had absolutely no problems and average apx 28 mpg

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  Fantastic! - 2003 Toyota Camry
  By Chunster - June 8 - 10:00 am

  I love this car... Simply the smoothest ride for the buck in its class... Would have been nicer if all the models have black leather interior, but gray isnt bad... i love the power, which is plenty for me... great buy