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 luv solara - 2004 Toyota Camry Solara
  By kev kev - April 3 - 2:00 am

  i bought a 99 solara se v6 and i loved it but i traded it in 2001 now i back with another solara and toyota really impress me with this solara SLE V6 nav and everything when i first got the car i drive 2 new york city and this car really have the power .thanks toyota.

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  2004 solara - 2004 Toyota Camry Solara
  By rlg50 - April 3 - 2:00 am

  There really isnt anything that I dont like about the car. The only problem I have had is a paint chip on the hood of the car, didnt think that should have happened, but the winter weather takes its toll on cars. Dealership is great to deal with and the performance of the car is good. I love driving it!

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  Toyotas Rule! - 2004 Toyota Tacoma
  By KwanDuw - April 3 - 2:00 am

  Tootas are by far the best over all pickup Ive every driven!

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  Awesome - 2004 Toyota 4Runner
  By Cakelady - April 3 - 2:00 am

  Ive only owned this vehicle for 3 weeks and every time I drive it I love it even more

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  I like it not love though - 2004 Toyota 4Runner
  By Big Paulie - April 3 - 2:00 am

  I like my 4runner a lot. I have had it for 2 months now. It has a soft plush ride and is a little bit sloppy at times. The dials look stupid on the dash. Overall the vehicle is very solid and has a nice interior. The Synthesis JBL sound system is not very good and the fuel economy is a little on the low side. I plan on getting a high performance air filter and a cat back exhaust. But that is down the road.

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  Corolla performance - 2004 Toyota Corolla
  By Gustavo Acosta - April 3 - 2:00 am

  The manual transmition is really smoth, the car respond really well. The interior is simple but really nice and sporty. Good stability when it is drive in curves.

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  great car - 2004 Toyota Corolla
  By elk grove - April 3 - 2:00 am

  Really enjoy the car so far and the dealership made the purchase SOOOOOOO much easier than another local one I tried first. When they didnt have the exact car and color I wanted they found it for me.

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  my toyota - 2004 Toyota Corolla
  By watts marjorie - April 3 - 2:00 am

  best car for the money

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  1+ year review - 2003 Toyota Corolla
  By 1+ year later - April 3 - 2:00 am

  This is my third Corolla and was a replacement for my 97 Camry (crashed, RIP). The acceleration is good and better than my old Camry. I have been getting anywhere from 28.5 to 31 MPG with mostly freeway driving. I did get almost 42 MPG on a long roadtrip from Calif. to Washington state and back. Hopefully, I will get the same kind of durability like my other two Corollas (over 240K miles).

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  Poor, Poor Corolla - 2003 Toyota Corolla
  By vallet1 - April 3 - 2:00 am

  I bought a 2003 LE in May 2003 and sold in Feb. 2004. This was one of the worst car buying/ownership experiences of my life. First, the dealership (Planet Toyota) used the "old fashioned" tactics to sell the car-- you know the "let me see what my manager says..." deal. Secondly, the car is not fun to drive, rides poorly, looks like every other car and is not very comfortable. Lastly, the people at Toyota Financial are very unfriendly, rude and elitest--they really need to humble themselves. Luckily I was able to sell it for a good price. I would NEVER buy anything Toyota again. You should look at anything else--DONT BUY A TOYOTA!