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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  Surprised - 2008 Toyota Yaris
  By sonja - March 20 - 6:16 am

  Ive had my car for 2 years and am extremely happy with it. I commute mostly on interstate 35 miles one way, and yes, it doesnt have the greatest punch on the gas, but its a great zippy little car. The off ramps are great! The trunk room is surprising and with the capability of dropping the back and front passenger seats down, it is amazing at what you can put in this car. Bottom line it is what it is- an economy car - wouldnt get rid of it for the world.

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  Still love it 6 years later - 2006 Toyota Highlander
  By mmaddage - March 20 - 4:34 am

  Purchased Jan. 2006 at the time my requirement was back seat size, trunk space, side curtain air bags and great than 20 MPG. This brought us to the Toyota Highlander. It has been FANTASTIC for our family. I travel an average of 25,000 miles a year and have NO real complaints. I still when I get in say "i love this car". No major mechanical issues at all! Just routine maintenance. Change the oil every 5-7,000 miles - it is perfect.

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  Awesome! - 1997 Toyota Avalon
  By Kalan - March 20 - 2:00 am

  A truly tremendous car. For a used car it cant be beat! I love it. I have owned 28 vehicles and this is great!

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  Owning a Toyota Sienna can really hurt!! - 1999 Toyota Sienna
  By still a Sienna Fan - March 20 - 2:00 am

  We bought our Sienna with 10 miles on the odometer. The transmission went out at 78,000 miles. A couple we play tennis with had to replace their Siennas Transmission at 72,000 miles!! The Toyota dealership wanted $4,100 to replace the transmission with a rebuilt one. OUCH! We had it rebuilt by some low-budget grease monkeys for $1600. Were now looking for a sucker to buy the van. Anyone interested????

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  Toyoto Corolla - 2000 Toyota Corolla
  By Susanta - March 20 - 2:00 am

  Very reliable and comfortable. Works great even in worst weather and road condition.

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  Typically Toyota - 2002 Toyota Tundra
  By kwjones - March 20 - 2:00 am

  This is a "Limosine in Trucks Clothing" The Tundra is typically Toyota in quality and reliability. It does everything you expect it to do, and does it very well. The Tundra has one of the highest crash ratings in the light truck industry, and that proved to be very important to me, when another driver passed out at the wheel and hit me nearly head on. I walked away from the almost totaled Tundra, and immediantly bought another one. Thanks Toyota for making it "one tough truck".

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  Great ALL AROUND CAR - 2000 Toyota Camry
  By tada - March 20 - 2:00 am

  I found this car to be great for an average joe. Yes it doesnt do 0-60 in 5 sec, and it doesnt cause head turns, but if you want something to get you from A to B, and have your proud, this is the car. Ergonomically it is ok as well, I have no complaints in that realm. Personally I would get the 6 cyc, the 4 has enough for a single person driver, but if you add on more than 1 more passenger things can feel sluggish.

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  Damm Near Perfect... Ill Keep It! - 2003 Toyota Highlander
  By JonHailey - March 20 - 2:00 am

  Solid feeling body. No rattles. Smooth, silent, drive-train. Ample power. Pleasurable engine/door closing sounds. Right size outside/inside dimensions. Handy in tight parallel parking situations. Excellent foul weather handling. Seats are long term comfortable. Running close to EPA’s mileage estimate. Well placed armrests. Few, if any blind spots. Good mirrors. Flat floors! Rear seats recline. Ivory interior hard to keep clean. No change holder. Center console storage awkwardly arranged. Wind rush at highway speeds with any window/sunroof open. No power passenger seat. Few manual seating adjustments. No memory settings. No shelf for cargo area.

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  From Ford to Toy - 2007 Toyota Tundra
  By Big G - March 19 - 3:56 pm

  I have never in my life drove anything but the blue oval. I have purchased 9 different ford trucks in the last few years, and now Im driving a new 07 Tundra Crewmax. I got tired of giving 30 some thousand for a truck only to find out it is worth 17 in only two years.

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  2002 Tundra SR5 - 2002 Toyota Tundra
  By Hardball - March 19 - 3:26 pm

  Very reliable truck. I have had problems with front brake rotors warping. Currently on my 4th set of rotors. Other than rotors warpping the build quality has been excellent. The truck is 5 years old and still is in excellent condition. Current mileage is 86,000.