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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  Prius - the only car to buy - 2004 Toyota Prius
  By paccpa2830 - August 18 - 10:00 am

  This car handles the freeway, city and everything in between with ease - a great car.

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  TOYOTA SOLARA - 2004 Toyota Camry Solara
  By SULLY - August 18 - 10:00 am

  I RECENTLY TOOK DELIVERY OF THE NEWLY DESIGNED TOYOTA SOLARA CONVERTIBLE. MY WIFE AND I COULD NOT BE HAPPIER WITH THIS NEW CAR. THIS IS THE FIRST CONVERTIBLE THAT WE HAVE EVER OWNED AND SO FAR WE ARE REALLY ENJOYING. I WOULD HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS CAR TO ANY0NE LOOK ING FOR THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE,

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  Damn a Good car for the price!!! - 2004 Toyota Corolla
  By Europina - August 18 - 10:00 am

  I gotta damn its a fun to drive car, very reliable , basically a good purchase for the price, its awesome to own one. Yes i would recommend this car to anyone. Expect what i dont really like is the parts for customization are little expensive... But overall 10/10 rating for everything....

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  pure toyota quality - 2004 Toyota Sienna
  By crhfish - August 18 - 10:00 am

  I waited only 2 weeks for my Sienna le and I love it! drives like a luxury car and handles great, pure toyota quality

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  Buy It !!! - 2004 Toyota Sienna
  By joan byrnes - August 18 - 10:00 am

  My 7th mini van in 8 years and by far the best. The purchasing experience was pleasant. I like it enough to keep for 2 years rather than hold it for just one year.

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  First a Previa, now a Sienna - 2004 Toyota Sienna
  By Tabriz42 - August 18 - 10:00 am

  We have only had our Sienna for a month. We still have our 1992 Previa, which weve been really happy with. My sister purchased a 2000 Sienna, but we have held off since the last-generation Sienna was (at least subjectively) smaller than the Previa. The new (2003/2004) Sienna feels larger than either the old Sienna or Previa. The power of the 240 hp Sienna feels much more adequate than the 140 Previa. It seems to be built with the expected Toyota quality. Overall, were very pleased.

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  Love the Yaris - 2008 Toyota Yaris
  By Robert - August 18 - 8:03 am

  I bought the absolutely red hatchback. I love the car. Great gas mileage, fun to drive. Everyone asks me if its a hybrid. Great for city driving.

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  The Rolex of SUVs - 2001 Toyota Land Cruiser
  By MFT - August 17 - 3:33 pm

  The TLC is the standard by which all SUVs are judged. Reliability, comfort, safety and durability for the long haul are superior to any other vehicle Ive owned. The overall integrity of the TLC outweighs others in its class. We moved out of the minivan market into a large SUV to satisfy our family needs - performance & safety were tops on our list. After initial sticker shock, cost comparisons revealed the reasons behind the price tag. Driving confirms the value everytime we travel the Autobahn or Autostrada.

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  Love the car - 2006 Toyota Avalon
  By Babe - August 17 - 2:50 pm

  Love the Avalon. Fun to drive, very comfortable, and reliable. The car has lots of leg room, front and back.

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  Best truck Ive ever had - 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser
  By GreatforDogs - August 16 - 6:33 pm

  This is by far the best UV out there for the price. I have driven full size pickups and other SUVs that cant compare for the fun of it. I have 3 dogs and the interior is superior for carting them around and clean up is fast. Put the back seats down and the cargo room is equal to my last short bed pick up. My Dad is a Cadillac man and he is even impressed with the FJ. Getting used to the lack of visibility took some time, but I wouldnt trade my Toyota for anything. It far surpasses the overpriced Tahoe I had. I love it.