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:

• 

  New Celica - 2003 Toyota Celica
  By Ladypug - January 11 - 2:00 am

  I have only had it for a day but love it so far.

• 

  I Love My Tacoma - 1999 Toyota Tacoma
  By RotiEatter - January 11 - 2:00 am

  I love my truck. I drive a 92 Civic with a motor swap and such...its a nice truck though...wish I had gotten the V6 though...:(

• 

  love it second wife - 2003 Toyota Matrix
  By TITO - January 11 - 2:00 am

  its fun to drive and the power when it hits 6000 rpm and all the aftermarket stuff wow have fun matrixs onwers!! PS HONDA EAT YOUR HEART OUT WITH THIS CAR

• 

  3 TUNDRAS - 2003 Toyota Tundra
  By JIM C. - January 11 - 2:00 am

  I OWN A 2000/ 2001 AND NOW A 2003 TUNDRA 2 WHEEL AND 4 WHEEL DRIVE. THEY HAVE BEEN TROUBLE FREE EXCELLENT VEHICLES. TIME IN THE SHOP HAS ONLY BEEN FOR THE $19.95 OIL AND FILTER CHANGE IN 20 MINUTES AT OUR LOCAL DEALER.

• 

  2003 4Runner - 2003 Toyota 4Runner
  By rstebie - January 11 - 2:00 am

  Great improvement over the 97 I traded in. Love the V8. Wonderful features inside. This car is loaded with goodies I didnt know it had until I had it a few days. The price was about the same as the 97 and it is three times the truck. I hate to call it a truck it has such a great ride. Cant beat the Toyota, Ive had 8 Toyotas sence 1989 and the trade in value cant be beat

• 

  Best Buy By Far - 2003 Toyota 4Runner
  By childr - January 11 - 2:00 am

  I drove every mid-size SUV on the market and none could really compete up to the level of the 4 Runner. Great looks and the muscle of a full-size SUV. Im not real fond of the dash, the Highlander and Montero have a much nicer look, but it stops right there. The ride and handling cannot be beat. Very comfortable around the city or on a long drive. Power that WILL put you back in your seat. If your looking for a mid-size SUV this one cant be beat!

• 

  Excellent! - 2000 Toyota Camry
  By Pat_Camry - January 11 - 2:00 am

  I have a 91 camry and it is at 302,000 and still running great. My other car is a 2000 camry and Im hoping that it will treat me the same as the 91!! A great car to count on!!

• 

  My new XSE - 2015 Toyota Camry
  By Harry Winters - January 11 - 1:32 am

  This is my second Camry. I have always owned Fords prior to my first Camry and will probably never go back. My first Camry was an XLE and my wife loved it. I wanted one a little more sporty so got the XSE model and it delivers. I looks great and handles like a dream. The V6 is powerful enough to get you out of any situation you may encounter. I love the new instrumentation. It is better then the XLE I had. The XM radio is as good as any I have ever had. The fuel economy is within reason of other cars in its class. The only thing I can say I dont like is the road noise on the interstate at 70-80mph. It seems a little loud in the cabin when trying to listen to the radio or have a conversation. It is within reason though because I drove a Cadillac before getting the XSE and the Caddy was just as noisy and a lot more money. The seats in the XSE are a little more restrictive then the previous XLE but I chalked that up to the sport package. I also chauffer two grand children around and the back seat room is great for them. All in all the Camry is a good deal for the money.

• 

  Well built vehicle, best value for 25K. - 2005 Toyota Highlander
  By Michael - January 10 - 6:03 am

  Awesome vehicle! Fit and finish is perfect, no rattles, squeaks, unusual noises of any kind. Quiet at most speeds although a little wind noise around the mirrors is to be expected at 55 and up. Climate control is excellent (even has 3rd row seat heater controls). I aint no little guy either (64") but I can sit in the back seat and actually have some legroom when the front seat is set as far back as it will go. I couldnt do this in my previous vehicle (Explorer), even though it was bigger. The rear seats even recline (and have headrests)! Adults have a hard time with the 3rd row seat, however. Even the "base" stereo has tape, CD, and separate woofer/tweeter in front, sounds good.

• 

  So far so good - 2005 Toyota 4Runner
  By Not too bad - January 9 - 4:30 pm

  Very nice ride with good handling, acceleration, comfort, smooth ride for body on frame solid rear axle vehicle. Wont let you forget its a truck, but thats what I bought it for. A little too much "gear picking" with v6 on steep grades. Engine has slight ticking sound (most Toyotas seem too, but disconcerting, probably timing chain instead of belt causes this) which is bothersome but engine runs fine. Have no real gripes, purchased the vehicle with just >30k miles and it feels like the brand new 07 model I test drove. I expect many more years out of this vehicle, although maintenance looks to be expensive. Wish v6 models had an external tranny cooler at least offered as an option.