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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  Great Car but... - 2008 Toyota Prius
  By Paul in VT - November 1 - 12:03 am

  I have owned my 2008 Prius for 3 months and for the most part I love the car. I purchased a fully loaded model and I am shocked at some of the basic features that are sub-standard. The seats are terrible - very uncomfortable. Headlights are not auto! The DVD navigation systems many features are locked out while vehicle is in motion - even if a passenger is onboard. Makes the system really unusable. You cant view MP3 files, song listings on CDs, dial phone numbers on the screen, input destinations (like gas stations) in the navigation, all while the vehicle is moving. Better bet to not purchase the factory installed nav system and purchase aftermarket.

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  finally own a real car - 2005 Toyota Highlander
  By tfk - October 31 - 7:16 pm

  Have only had vehicle 2 months but it has been great. Handling is excellent and, its great to know Im driving what other evaluators consider the best mid-size SUV on the road. It rides as well or better than any car Ive ever owned. I wish the engineers had lowered the gear lever a bit to afford clearer access to radio controls; and the sun roof should have a buzzer to alert the driver that its still open when leaving the vehicle. The cargo area is ample and the seats very comfortable. I have friends who also own this vehicle and they are very pleased as well.

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  Fun car!!! - 2005 Toyota Celica
  By ez - October 31 - 1:33 pm

  This is a fun car! I have had so much fun driving this car up and down Californias famous Highway 1 (aka the Pacific Coast Highway) I cant begin to tell you. I also use it as a daily commuter, with a manual transmission, and it is a head-turner, even after having it for some time. The design is distinctive and cohesive; some sporty cars look like they have been pieced together from a lot of different designs. The Celica looks like one car, front to back. If you love to drive, youll love this car!

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  AVALON - 2002 Toyota Avalon
  By Dianne - October 31 - 10:00 am

  VERY COMFORABLE RIDE,COULD USE MORE POWER ON ACCELERATION.GOOD SELECTION COLORS

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  So Far So Good - 2002 Toyota Avalon
  By LaoZheng - October 31 - 10:00 am

  Never liked to deal with the Toyota Dealers. But for the sake of getting this car, I still needed to go there. The interior room, quietness, and comfort make it a great family car, as long my three teenage children remain peaceful in the backseat.

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  Great car - 2002 Toyota Avalon
  By Geo Baca - October 31 - 10:00 am

  The car is super, feels great on the interstate and around the city. The car has many confort features that come in handy on a long trip. It handles far better then any other car I have ever had, which includes a 2000 Camry with all the options you can get. Its fun to drive. I love it.

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  AVALON - 2002 Toyota Avalon
  By DIANNE - October 31 - 10:00 am

  VERY COMFORABLE RIDE,COULD USE MORE POWER ON ACCELERATION.GOOD SELECTION COLORS

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  Corolla - 2002 Toyota Corolla
  By Marge - October 31 - 10:00 am

  This is my 3rd Toyota Corolla - This is a reliable car!

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  corolla 2003 - 2003 Toyota Corolla
  By lincoln - October 31 - 10:00 am

  it`s my best buy ever

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  Best Heavy 1/2 ton ever! - 2007 Toyota Tundra
  By john - October 31 - 9:16 am

  If you wanna turn heads with the trucks sharp looks and impress passengers with its raw power, buy a tundra withthe 5.7L V8. This truck has ridiculous power but should really have a Lexus badge on it because the ride quality is second to none.