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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  Wow! - 2010 Toyota Tundra
  By bribrew1968 - December 12 - 4:10 pm

  Great vehicle for nearly all requirements in life. Lots and lots of storage all throughout. Many 12v outlets all through cabin. Rear seats fold up creating enormous, lockable space. Accelerator/engine is responsive and alive. The 15/20 ratings are great for a V8 in any class. The Toyota stock air intake reviews are fantastic so adding a high performance filter ($60-ish) is simply additional horses and mileage gains. The ride is smooth and not truck-like yet the 300+ HP engine and payload totals are quite adequate. I will add finally that there are more airbags than I have ever seen in a vehicle ... causing my insurance to drop 20% over my old 1999 Tacomas totals! I recommend highly.

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  Great Car - 1998 Toyota Avalon
  By Karl - December 12 - 12:36 pm

  We bought this car used with 68,000 miles on it. My wife is in sales and drives over 30,000 miles per year. We now have 248,000 miles on the car and it runs good as new. It is time for valve cover gaskets as they are now leaking but I have no faults with this car at all. Love it!

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  Sweet Ride! - 2000 Toyota Celica
  By wickedpete - December 12 - 10:00 am

  My first brand new car and it has been all I expected. This is one car where the payments do not become a burden because you are having so much fun getting wherever you have to go. The aftermarket is good and getting better. Some available stuff: Custom exhaust, body kits (beyond "action package"), short shifters, headers.... well, everything but a turbo or surpercharger (but coming soon).

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  Great car - 2003 Toyota Matrix
  By martixlover - December 12 - 10:00 am

  Its a great car! I just got mine and i love it. I took it up to the mountains and it handled great. its a smooth ride and has lots of room! I love it!!

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  A DEPENDABLE CAR @ A BUDGET PRICE - 2003 Toyota Corolla
  By B FAFEL - December 12 - 10:00 am

  A DEPENDABLE SOLID CAR THAT DELIVERS GOOD HANDLING EXCELLANT FUEL ECONOMY IN A QUIET, STYLISH PACKAGE.GIVEN TOYOTAS REPUTATION FOR BUILDING RELIABLE AUTOMOBILES, I WILL BE ENJOYING THIS CAR FOR MANY YEARS

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  Love my 2003 - 2003 Toyota Corolla
  By Tami - December 12 - 10:00 am

  I traded in my 97 sentra for the 03 Corolla, I am very happy that I did. I went test driving the civics and almost bought one. I decided to stop by the toyota dealership before buying the civic, I am glad I did. The corolla has a lot more room than the 02 civic ex. I bought the le corolla, it has been great. I cant wait until the break in period is over so I can drive past 55!

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  Great car - 2007 Toyota Yaris
  By cherie - December 12 - 3:10 am

  I just love this little car, great get up and go and mileage is better than what dealer states. I get 45 miles to gallon hwy, 40 city. I can go to the beach and not worry about spending 55.00 to fill up the truck. Plenty of leg room so you dont feel cramped, only 1 thing I wish I had is cruise - when it comes available i will get that installed. Other from that great buy for the money.

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  Still working on the gas mileage - 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By Retired in Illinois - December 11 - 4:23 pm

  We waited almost 4 months to get our TCH but havent regretted the purchase (even though gas prices have come down since we ordered it). We had a Camry before this one and were always happy with Toyota. For a recent trip, we ended up buying two smaller suitcases as our two large ones wouldnt fit in the trunk. We arent getting the gas mileage we had hoped and plan to take it back to the dealer to see whats going on. It seems like the gas engine comes on even when we are going slow, so it may need some adjustment. The lights above the visors shine down, not in your face, so you can use them at night without distracting the driver.

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  Good car but.... - 2005 Toyota Corolla
  By jonhalli - December 11 - 3:36 pm

  I have had this car since July 2005. It is a great little car with a few flaws. Living in NYC, I have to say the gas mileage is great (anywhere from 25-29mpg in traffic, 32+hwy), it is easy to park, and generally fun to drive. I have some minor complaints with the tin- like metal used to cover the car at the top. This car is prone to dinks and dents from minor contact. And a driver really has to "drive" this car in foul weather. But for a compact, this car is stylish and sporty looking with excellent features.

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  So glad I bought it! - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By ace1632 - December 11 - 3:00 pm

  After driving the Camry, we forgot about the new Civic. The car is wonderful. It is so quiet, even @ 75 mph. Mp3 player is really cool, acceleration is ample and the look is not boring like the previous model.