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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  Tow in Comfort - 2010 Toyota Tundra
  By DJ - May 26 - 10:00 am

  We recently bought a 10 double cab SR5 TRD with the 5.7. LOVE IT! We tow a 4-ATV trailer with it and you honestly dont even know the trailer is behind you. This truck has ridiculous power and Ive yet to even floor it. Extremely comfortable for long trips even while towing. You sit up high and have great visibility. Gauges are a little hard to read in certain light. Love the interior though. We are really impressed with this truck, Toyota got it right. Whenever I see an F-150 I think "I could smoke you". Only gets a few miles to gallon less than my old 4Runner - if you want good gas mileage people buy a car, this is a 381hp towing beast!

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  Nice car (when parked) - 2010 Toyota Corolla
  By Tony the test driver - May 26 - 10:00 am

  This is a nice car in the S trim. Body kit makes amazing job beautifying this fairly dull car. Only grill remains dull. It is so smooth for a small car, you dont feel if it moves. But this is not enthusiasts car. It has no soul. You may accelerate hard but there is no feel of it. Steering is questionable. Interior is great besides some hard plastic in "should be soft" places, cheap controls and questionable location of the clock. Big trunk. Nice seats. Decent legroom in the back and suitable middle spot with flat floor beneath.

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  Great reliable car at a reasonable price - 2016 Toyota Camry
  By SmartCarFan - May 26 - 12:27 am

  You will not get these many features (touch screen blue tooth and audio, power seat) at this reasonable price. Ive owned it for three months and I can vouch for it. It changes gear fast so pick up is good and power is also good. On highway, it didnt feel as smooth as I wanted but its definitely less noisy. Headlights need some improvement. City MPG I get is 21-22 in the city and I live in congested city. Overall MPG is 3 to 4 miles less than stated but you dont get pick up without paying for the gas it seems. I own LE but Id recommend XLE or SE due to better aesthetics. Overall, Id recommend this car to anyone over Honda which is pricier and now has noisy CVT which I hate it. Also, ALtima has CVT and I hate NIssan car overall due its poor build quality. Closest competitor could be Hyundai Sonata but I fell in love with Camrys look and Toyotas reliability. I am happy with my car and family also love it.

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  This car is the way to go - 2007 Toyota Prius
  By Raslin - May 25 - 9:30 pm

  I have almost 600 miles on it and I have never had so much fun driving a car I love the constant gas status it makes driving efficiently fun. I was afraid the Bluetooth would be as bad as it is on many new cars but the sound is great and the auto linking is priceless. Also never having to use a key to lock the car unlock or start it is the coolest. The car has more power in take off then my Corolla did too.

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  After one month - 2005 Toyota Prius
  By Carl Straub - May 25 - 7:43 am

  The Prius has been better than anticipated. We have the #1 option. (no GPS or fancy key). Rented one for 4 days so we could try first. The electric engine provides a lot of torque going up hills etc. The acceleration is actually good if needed. It has good room inside. You soon get used to not seeing front "hood", actually stop too far away at first. Also own large sedan (LS 400) but find we jump in Prius most of the time. Here is clincher--was able to get a load from Costco home (folded down rear seats). If youre consider it-rent one first. Enterprise has them.

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  MOST RELIABLE TRUCK EVER - 2002 Toyota Tundra
  By conly brooks - May 25 - 2:23 am

  I bought my 2002 tundra with 60k miles for 16k and I just sold it to my cousin $6,500 and it had 168k miles on it and never once did my truck have one problem.

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  2015 and hoping for another 9 years - 2006 Toyota Highlander
  By Tim Sommerfield - May 25 - 12:38 am

  Best car ever had. Only problems were driver induced

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  Fun to drive - 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
  By merrittcw - May 24 - 11:53 pm

  Surprisingly powerful and quiet. This Highlander is my 2nd Hybrid (03 Civic was first). The vehicle meets my satisfaction. It is extremely quiet and has the feel of a luxury SUV. Gas mileage isnt overly impressive, but it is better than a traditional SUV. If you are looking for a well built vehicle with integrated technology, this is the SUV for you. With respect to value, the extra cost associated with hybrid technology does not compensate for the saved fuel cost at this time. I imagine this product line is a cash cow for Toyota. Still I enjoy the technology and am happy with the unique aspects of this Highlander.

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  Wonderful Mid-Size SUV - 2007 Toyota RAV4
  By Bill - May 24 - 8:50 pm

  The initial driving experience of the sport model had a very hard drive but the base model drives like a dream even on pot holed streets where it is driven every day. The driving ease fully loaded and with great visibility make this not so big SUV just fun.

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  rough shifting - 2005 Toyota Camry
  By Jean - May 24 - 12:03 pm

  Not many miles yet but like the ride. Interesting to read other reviews about rough shifting from first to second becasue I notice it too. Not encouraging to hear the dealers consider this normal. I figure Ill get used to it. Miss dual control air and memory seats but for the money its a great little car