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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  I LIKE AVALON. - 2000 Toyota Avalon
  By lena - October 8 - 2:00 am

  Fun to drive.

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  Like this car.... - 2001 Toyota Highlander
  By rayvann - October 8 - 2:00 am

  Great car...lowsy cup holders.

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  Best Toyota Truck Ive Owned Yet - 2002 Toyota Tacoma
  By D.R., Palatine, IL - October 8 - 2:00 am

  All I can say about this truck is that…its beautiful. I traded in my 93Toyota 4x4 (Standard) pickup (with 108,000 miles), which was left outside, all year-round, and even in the worst Chicago winters it started every day, for my new 02 in Feb. This new truck is everything I wished my other truck could have been. It has more Power, better pick-up, better handling (which really surprised me), and a sharper look. It maybe a little more pricey than other trucks in the same class, but youre also getting a better quality truck. Which is something I know from personal experience, not just because "JD Powers" says so.

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  This Car Z Da Bomb - 2003 Toyota Corolla
  By - October 8 - 2:00 am

  this car is fun and awesome, i think its the best corolla out so far and the nicest.

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  Best Car Ever - 1996 Toyota Corolla
  By Splendor - October 7 - 7:16 pm

  I sold my 96 Toyota a week ago & already miss that car. It was very dependable and I even drove it to AZ and back. In the 11 years I had it I only had two problems. One was electrical wiring & the other was my gas tank was punctured. I prob. hit something but once these repairs were made it was back to its dependable self. I wish I still had this car and when I placed an ad selling it I had numerous calls & sold it within 4 hours for 200 less than asking price. If you need a reliable car this is it! Dont hesitate to buy. I have a big family now & it was no longer practical but I sure wish I couldve kept it.

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  new car owner - 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
  By S Hayes - October 7 - 6:03 pm

  I am very pleased with the on the road performance of this vehicle. While a V6 engine... it has more than enough power to get in and out of tight situations. Im not getting 31 mpg when using the air conditioning, however, if I turn it off I can squeeze 29.6 out of it. The Highlander could have a little more room for the driver (even in the height of the cab). Over all, it is an excellent maneuvering vehicle. Im glad I bought it!

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  HEAR ME NOW...NOW...HOW ABOUT NOW? - 2016 Toyota Highlander
  By ralph barlow - October 7 - 5:26 pm

  The Voice Recognition is very poor. Tried to teach the system my voice many times. I have had other cars that learn my speech without any problem. NOT THIS CAR.... TOYOTA NEEDS TO FIX THIS!!! Also... nice to have a small storage compartment at the bottom left side of the steering wheel. But, remember to close it before exiting the car... or you will feel it....

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  Excellent Car!! - 2011 Toyota Camry
  By splash2013 - October 7 - 3:40 pm

  I purchased my 2011 Camry a little over a year ago and I currently have 37k miles on it. This car has been amazing. Great gas mileage, quiet interior-no road noise, rides smooth, very roomy on the inside. I love this car!!! This is my second Toyota-had a Rav 4 previously.

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  Great history with our Sienna - 2003 Toyota Sienna
  By Tom - October 7 - 2:00 am

  We have used this vehicle hard as our kids grew up and it has handled it well. I havent spent over $1500 in maintenance during the 8 years I have owned it (window motor, back hatch handle, couple of oxygen sensors and a set of struts)

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  AutoStart - 2010 Toyota Venza
  By J. Kirwan - October 7 - 2:00 am

  We recently purchased a 2010 Toyota Venza and love it with the only exception being that we have been told we cannot have an autostart installed on it because it has a push button start.