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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  Good Buy. - 2006 Toyota 4Runner
  By VictorV. - March 26 - 3:46 pm

  Bought with 73k.great vehicle to haul the kids around.I chose the V8 due to its power.The gas mileage with a V6 was just 2mpg less.Go with the V8.Drove from Las Vegas to San Francisco,what an awesome ride.Eats up potholes.I liked the 4runner so much, I bought my wife a 2007 4runner sport.

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  What a Car - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By Nick - March 26 - 12:53 pm

  This is a wonderfully designed automobile, fun to drive, quiet, responsive. Cant say enough about the styling, looks totally European. Kudos to Toyota, they have their hand on the pulse of the public.

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  Better than expected - 2012 Toyota Prius c
  By oddsandends - March 26 - 12:12 pm

  At six foot four, I expected to be ridiculously cramped. At 1.5 liters, I expected it to be ridiculously slow. Neither are true. I dont have an excess of room, but theres enough. It doesnt have an excess of acceleration, but its enough. I just manage my drive carefully and am rewarded with 60+ mpg on my morning commute. I also own a BMW 740i that I bought used for 1/3 of what I paid for the Prius C. When I need to go fast, I take it out. Otherwise, I am very pleased with my little gas-sipper. Build quality is good, ride is quiet, and there is room for groceries. Id buy it again tomorrow.

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  Practical, Reliable Truck - 2000 Toyota Land Cruiser
  By bob - March 26 - 11:13 am

  Weve had this car for over 6 years now and it still looks and drives like new. We looked at other SUVs in 2000 but nothing compared to this one, and still nothing compares to this. The only problem we had with this is with the cd player and the brakes. Solid truck.

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  Fussy driver has little to complain of - 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By G Carter - March 26 - 10:23 am

  My wife and I usually burn less than 6l/100km, sometimes as little as 5.2l/100km on a weekend trip. Excellent fuel economy. It is not slow, it has plenty of acceleration. The ride is very smooth but I would prefer it be firmer to improve steering responsiveness. The fact there are no gear changes adds to the smoothness of the ride. Moving off when the light turns green is not noticeably different than other cars with an automatic transmission, even if the engine was not running during the red light. Plenty of room, comfortable for four adults, no bad seats in the house. In the first year of use, I have had no problems to report except my wife could let me drive it more often.

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  Reliable despite very basic maintenance. - 1997 Toyota Corolla
  By Amit M. - March 26 - 8:46 am

  I bought the car new - 5 sp. manual transmission. The car now has over 130K miles on it. Never performed any of the manufacturer-recommended scheduled maintenance. Change oil every 7000 miles (need to add a quart every 2000 miles or so). Havent yet changed the timing belt. Original battery died after 10.5 years. Replaced front brakes and spark plugs at 100K miles (neither was probably necessary). Ive been commuting 120 miles each day for over an year now - get 37-40 mpg on highway during winter (Connecticut), 42-45 mpg on highway during summer! I do keep my speed in check. Used to get lower mpg when they used to add MTBE instead of ethanol in the fuel.

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  One of the best Ive ever owned. - 2005 Toyota Camry Solara
  By Barbara Lestician - March 26 - 4:13 am

  It handles with the conditions of the roads. When it was icy and slippery it holds the road great. Performance over all is excellent.

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  Gas mileage WOW!! 54-60 MPG - 2013 Toyota Camry
  By metaz123@yahoo.com - March 26 - 3:18 am

  I love my vehicle, I am a lead footer and the more you push her the better the gas mileage :) I am completely in LOVE!! story of how awesome Toyotas are I had a 1994 Toyota Corolla DX 4 dr sedan, it had 310,000 on it, I checked with dealer ship and found out the tow capacity it could haul, I bought a pop up camper that if it would have been 2 more LBS would have been over for the vehicle, the Seller on the lot told me that I would not make it home with it since was hauling it with my vehicle oops I did and took it anywhere and everywhere I wanted I traded my Corolla in it had 455,000 miles on it and the lady that bought it traded in her 1997 Ford Focus on it. TOYOTA Awesome Vehicles :)

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  Never thought Id get one... - 2011 Toyota Prius
  By peterfletcher - March 26 - 1:09 am

  Honestly, Ive had over 70+ vehicles since I was 16 years old and never thought Id get a Prius of all things! Leased it for work and already its paying for itself. Pay half at the pump and going twice as far. At the gas station is where this car makes the most sense. I also realize why Prius drivers are so annoying to be behind.. its because they are trying to keep in ECO mode all the time! I just drive it like a regular car and Im still getting 44 mpg with mixed driving. I am 62" and 238 lbs., so the seat was not made for me. I had to go to an upholstery shop to build up the seat bottom foam and side bolsters. Much much better afterward and no more neck pain. Crummy seats, but great car.

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  Thanks Toyota! - 1994 Toyota Camry
  By Jade1149 - March 26 - 1:03 am

  I bought my wagon used from a private party and am extremely happy I did. With 5 kids its hard to find something to fit our family, but this does, love the mileage it gets. I also love the fact that as long as you change the oil and tune it up when needed itll last forever! I will be sad the day it finally dies, but for now Id take this car across the country if I had to, I trust it more than our other car thats a 99, other than the usual brakes and exaust work occasionally, I havent had to do anything major. If I could find another one Id buy it again.