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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  You get what you need! - 2013 Toyota Highlander
  By Neil Marwan - November 5 - 5:32 pm

  I bought this certified 2013 based on our need for an affordable yet very reliable vehicle. The mpg is a little under what I was looking for but filling it up at $2.80 a gallon certainly doesnt break the bank .

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  does very well - 2003 Toyota Tacoma
  By Larry - November 5 - 2:09 am

  It has served me very well

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  Very Reliable! - 1996 Toyota Avalon
  By DL - November 4 - 8:33 pm

  Great running car. Roomy and very good visibility all around. This Toyota has been the family "work horse" for those everyday short trips to school and shopping. Comfortable, and quiet ride. Good gas mileage all around. I run 87 octane with no problems. Reasonable maintenance cost. Original owner... this is a keeper!

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  Almost Perfect - 2001 Toyota Sienna
  By timmym - November 3 - 10:00 am

  Our 2nd Sienna traded in 1998 with bad rattles and engine with sludge. Happy to say to say no sludge or rattles. A little small in the back. paint quality is so so on ours. Service has been good No unexpected shop visits wow ! over 2 years know

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  my car - 2004 Toyota Sequoia
  By jason324 - November 3 - 10:00 am

  this car is fun to drive its not very fast but it is smooth it can also go off road wel

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  Good, cheap fun - 2010 Toyota Yaris
  By Steve - November 1 - 10:00 am

  I bought the Yaris strictly as a commuter car, for a 100 mile a day round trip commute, on the basis of the fuel economy and the expectation that I wouldnt feel bad about putting so many miles on a cheap car. As it turns out, its actually fun to drive. With the five speed manual, this light car gives all of the acceleration I need in town and on the freeway. Im also impressed with the "feel" of the materials. The doors close with that "thud" that you expect from a luxury sedan, rather than flimsy feel of a traditional subcompact. With its smooth ride, I have difficulty keeping my speed down on the freeway. After getting my first ticket in 20 years, I installed aftermarket cruise control

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  Smooth - 2011 Toyota Prius
  By hondageek1 - November 1 - 12:11 am

  I read and heard alot about the prius mainly negative. The wife and i took a test drive and bought on the spot. It is quiet smooth and feels sturdy. The gas milage is heaven espicially with rising prices. Quite a techno machine but if two regular people over 50 can figure the car out anyone can.

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  GOOD - 2004 Toyota 4Runner
  By Jim Kunkle - October 31 - 3:33 am

  A little over priced when I bought it. Fuel Economy is not one of it long suits! It is fun to drive.

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  Best of the Best - 2000 Toyota Land Cruiser
  By Land Cruiser #1 - October 31 - 1:53 am

  Ive had two Land Cruisers a 1997 and 2000, and with out any doubt, the Toyota Land Cruiser is the overall best SUV made today. I sold the vehicles when they had around 100k miles on them. However, I could have kept them for another 100k. Both vehicles were dealer maintained and they never had to do anything other than the routine scheduled maintenance. Everything about the vehicles was quality not a cheap part to be found inside or out. It is no wonder why the UN uses these vehicles around the world for relief efforts rather than the cruddy Land Rover Discovery anymore. By the way, I had a 96 Discovery SE7 and the damed thing started costing me $2000 per repair twice a year after 50k miles.

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  A reliable car - 2000 Toyota Camry
  By SA - October 30 - 7:30 pm

  ive had this 2000 Camry LE 4 cyl, for about 19 months. So far, it has served me faithfully without any problems (22,000 mi). It is a very easy car to drive and live with, but can get boring sometimes due to lack of character. I drove it to Florida from New York, and back, and it performed exceptionally well. However, the car does feel underpowered at times (135 HP), especially during passing on the highway. Note: this is not the car for someone who likes to drive hard.