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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  Put to the test, and it passed! - 2003 Toyota Matrix
  By Jake - May 22 - 6:39 pm

  Let me start by saying I am not gentle with anything I own. I picked this car up with 180,000 miles for $2500 and it had not been taken care of. I learned how to drive stick on it and took it everywhere from the lower Sierra Nevada mountain range on trails where you need a 4x4, to out in the mohave desert where I jumed it so high I ripped the wheel wells out when I landed. It does not quit! The AC has always blown cold and the only thing that Ive ever done is give it an oil change, new tires, and a new clutch (that last one was my fault). Now sadly, just short of 200,000 miles the transmission has given out and it is on its way to the junk yard. But it has seen and done more than most trucks ever will and it has never left me stranded no matter where I go. The only thing that could be better is it has a little road noise and it doesnt shift very smooth, plus you have to put the clutch to the floor to shift. Mabey thats just mine but either way I am more than pleased with this car.

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  Best bang for your buck!! - 2011 Toyota Camry
  By toyotacamry2x - May 22 - 2:56 pm

  The only reason to complain would be if you didnÂ’t know what you were buying. The Camry rides smooth, has enough power to take care of the day-to-day, and looks just as good if not better than its competitors (basically just the accord and sonata). ItÂ’s clearly not a sports car (even though the V6 feels like one) so if thatÂ’s what you are judging it against it will always fail. P.S. - Must have accessories: sunroof, premium wheels, dual exhaust (even if itÂ’s just for looks)

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  harsh ride derails a good car - 2013 Toyota Avalon
  By maliblues1 - May 22 - 1:14 pm

  Previous Avalon owners will be shocked at how harsh the ride of 2013 Avalon is. Small bumps are transmitted as sharp kicks into the cabin. Road noise is also pronounced on worn asphalt roads. The style of the car makes a rear view camera a must, however its an option. the camera is standard on the Honda accord. Headlights also have a sharp cutoff that makes reading some road signs difficult. The touch sensitive switches make it to easy to activate the wrong control.

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  Love it - 2000 Toyota Celica
  By mulvanite - May 22 - 7:10 am

  I have not had any problems with this vehicle. I enjoy driving it. Even though my car is nearly six years old, I still receive compliments on it. I have bery few complaints.

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  My 2005 Toyota Prius - 2006 Toyota Prius
  By Victor - May 22 - 6:33 am

  I experienced excellent performance and gas mileage average of 49.5 mpg with my 2005 Prius unlike my last 13mpg 2001 Ford F150.

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  Miss my great Corolla - 2003 Toyota Corolla
  By hurt and disgusted - May 22 - 5:43 am

  I loved this car, meant to keep it many more years, until a drunk driver totaled it and left me without it. It was great on fuel economy, mostly highway driving, a great 35 to 37 mpg. It was comfortable and easy to handle, excellent braking. Reliability was excellent, nothing wrong in the 5 yrs I owned it. Now trying to find another comparable is turning into a nightmare, as prices have been hiked up for these great cars, and no 2003 or 04 models out there with low mileage.

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  Nice car spoiled by junk suspension - 1997 Toyota Avalon
  By PMOT - May 22 - 2:00 am

  Nice, but not exciting, car with cheap clunky suspension. I didnt expect sporting suspension, but rather, a nice quiet ride. But every bump brings a symphony of clunks and rattles from the front and rear suspension. Unacceptable in a car in this class (Hyundai Sonata does a better job). Great mileage with high test in the tank (30mpg @ 75-80 on the Mass Pike). Reasonable performance. The 3 disk CD changer gets "tired" after several hours of play. Looks like most of the other homely, expensive Japanese sedans (except for Nissan now). Should have kept looking for a Maxima SE! You should too!

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  Prius Review. - 2004 Toyota Prius
  By MarkD - May 22 - 2:00 am

  Great car. Very happy with the milage vs. previous prius models. Out performs the honda hands down. Finished off well. I am really enjoying the car.

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  I want a double cab - 2000 Toyota Tundra
  By chuckcowpie - May 22 - 2:00 am

  Ive been running up the miles on this truck & havent had a problem yet. I did have problems at 70k mi with carbon build-up. Sounds like a common issue from reading these reviews. Other than that, I have 0 (thats zero) complaints.

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  OH!! What A SUV! - 2004 Toyota RAV4
  By Zacdil88 - May 22 - 2:00 am

  Drives like a Mercedes!The best Little SUV on the market today.Try one...youll LOVE it!!