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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  Camry Wins Again - 2016 Toyota Camry
  By Yale Yurman - February 26 - 1:05 am

  Instrument panel much better than the 2015 version

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  Totally Awesome! - 2001 Toyota Tacoma
  By Rod - February 25 - 10:56 pm

  My 2001 pre-runner is nothing more than amazing. I have over 70,000 miles with no mechanical problems at all. I guess this is why you never see the 01 to 04 on a used car lot. Nobody sells them once they have one!

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  Best Value Luxury Automobile on Market - 2008 Toyota Avalon
  By ac1065001 - February 25 - 10:43 pm

  If you are looking or a true luxury large car with lots of room at a reasonable price, this is it. Not another competitor can come close and you get it with Toyota reliability and quality. Styling could be improved but if Toyota did that then there truly is no reason to buy a Lexus LS. Seems same reasoning went into nav system. Portable GPS has touch screen for less than $200 now. This one doesnt. Lexus GPS does. If Toyota cleaned up a few very low cost details there would be no reason for the Lexus brand. Toyotas challenge is keeping the "goodness" of this product away from their prospective Lexus customers.

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  take a look at the 2012 Corolla S - 2012 Toyota Corolla
  By padame - February 25 - 5:44 pm

  I did my research. I test drove several cars that I was reading rave reviews about - the Ford Focus, the Chevy Cruze, the Hyundai Elantra, the Nissan Sentra (which was worth considering, although darn it no telescoping steering wheel) and others that didnt get the rave reviews like the Honda Civic, which was overpriced I thought and not too impressive... But I LOVED the Corolla S although you pay more for the S, and then I was almost in Camry territory (and same gas mileage believe it or not) but would have wanted the SE which is @5 more Gs than mine... but look at the Corolla. I love it. And I drove them all. gas mileage is AWESOME! get the sunroof for 400 more... I just trust TOYOTA.

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  I love my Avalon! - 2011 Toyota Avalon
  By pennyj - February 24 - 7:49 pm

  I have not had my Avalon too long, but for the time I have had it...I adore it. I have had many other cars, from Ford to Buick to Chevy, etc. I am in love with this car. It drives like a dream. I slammed on the brakes in the rain and it stopped on a dime. If I were in my van I used to have or my truck...I would have wrecked my car. I am so satisfied, I cant believe it.

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  Great SUV - 2008 Toyota Sequoia
  By ck_b2001 - February 24 - 6:26 pm

  Great SUV, Lots of power. Acceptable fuel economy. Lots of space. Handles like car. Great engine and transmission. Lots of std features. Build quality looks solid.

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  Not a vega - 2008 Toyota RAV4
  By jack - February 24 - 5:46 pm

  Totally surprised with the snap that this 4 cylinder engine has. Wife feels very safe in this car; have been in pickups the past 10 yrs and ready to downsize. Toyota quality and reliability brought me to the car; retiring next year and this is the sensible solution to fuel economy for a non hybrid. Plenty of nooks and crannies to put things, net assembly and cargo cover have out of the way place for storing. This car gets there now, no problem getting up to and over speed limits; runs so quite and handles so well you can be up to 80 mph before you realize it. Im a big guy and the driver side is roomy and comfortable, selected the liqui-cell leather seats for my disabled lower back.

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  My first Car - 2007 Toyota RAV4
  By mary kate smith - February 24 - 5:05 pm

  2007 RAV4 was the first car I ever owned! And I loved it, Im sad to say that I totaled it after three years. I never had any problems with it at all, I put one set of new tires on it and had oil changes and that was it. Comfortable, spacious, good turn radius, decent gas milage and cute. Just dont t-bone a blue mustang and it should last you a really long time like most toyotas.

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  My 05 Prius (3 Months & 800 Miles) - 2005 Toyota Prius
  By Al Abanes - February 24 - 4:30 pm

  Not to picky on color, top notch finances got our Prius sooner. Zips through traffic, turn radius good, and easy to park. Urban, rural (2 lane hilly) and interstate milage 45-50 mpg. Cruise control good but goes out of range on down hills at times. Climate control excellent. Voice command system ok. Repeat commands necessary at times. Nav system usually gets you from point "A" to "B" but not necessarily by the shortest, safest route. Use common sense when traveling or planning route. Back seat uncomfortable on long trips. Front seat VG. Interior material will dirty up fast and cost in trade-in value. Prefer leather. Side air bags prevent use of full seat covers. I will buy another Prius.

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  Exactly as Described! - 2006 Toyota RAV4
  By Dave T. - February 24 - 11:33 am

  Everything on this vehicle works, fits & functions perfectly. No rattles wind noises etc. etc. The vehicle is the perfect suv in its class IMHO. I couldnt be happier in my choice to select this vehicle!