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:

• 

  Almost bought a Sonata - 2011 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By tobyone - February 11 - 9:01 pm

  I almost bought a 2011 Sonata after comparing to Accord and Fusion, but the Limited Sonata gas mileage on the car i ordered only got 28MPG highway on the test drive. the computer said 36 mpg. so decided to test drive Camry- and then the hybrid. so very quiet and the idea of higher gas mileage interested both me and my wife. Dealer made me an offer i could not refuse on a 2011 loaded except for Nav. $28,000 before tax and license. included leather, sunroof, spoiler, tinted windows, backup sensors, upgraded sound system and wheels, fog lights love the car so far - first tank was 37MPG- using the calculator method - just filled up 41.2 mpg wife is doing 1/2 driving and she is not a hyper miler

• 

  Shame On Toyota - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By Chris - February 11 - 5:36 pm

  Toyota has just given American car manufacturers a leg up by putting out this inferior car. This car has a serious/dangerous hesitation problem. Unpredictable acceleration including hesitation when pressing on the gas while moving for up to 3 seconds. When making a left turn, feeding onto a highway or giving it gas while moving the car hesitates for up to 3 seconds before moving! It goes nowhere! When it finally gets moving the acceleration is sluggish. Have almost been reaer ended twice because of this defect. This is a lawsuit waiting to happen. SHAME ON TOYOTA!

• 

  Why we own two of them! - 2003 Toyota Corolla
  By sstv - February 11 - 5:23 pm

  I bought my corolla after driving my son around in his for 3 months (broken leg). It was so easy to handle and to park.

• 

  Got YARIS? - 2007 Toyota Yaris
  By Joanna - February 11 - 4:00 pm

  I just got the car today straight from Japan, and loved it so much inside and outside that I was not able to part from it and went without food for 7 hours. I was chosing between Chevy Aveo, Nissan Versa and Honda Fit. After long and careful research, Ive decided that Toyota Yaris is the most economical and best looking option. I got my Yaris absolutely red, with power package, all weather guard package, keyless entry, ABS, automatic transmission, 60/40 split. I originally ordered blue, but aparently those are harder to get, but once I saw the red I never looked back. I am looking forward to the excelent gas mileage!!

• 

  What good are safety signals they cant be heard - 2016 Toyota RAV4
  By Arlene - February 11 - 1:42 pm

  What good are safety signals if they cant be heard above a radio. or even road noise if the windows or moon roof is open. The lane drift would never be heard if a person falls to sleep. I asked about making them louder but was told it was impossible

• 

  07 FJ Cruiser - 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser
  By DAsper - February 11 - 1:10 pm

  This thing feels like a big truck. It feels very solid and well built. There are more traction options than you can shake a stick at on our 6 spd stick 4x4. The seats are waterproof, which is nice because of the floor mat, you can actually hose the truck out. The add on gauge pods in the center are cool too. Its a real pleasure to drive like I said, and plenty of leg room and cargo room if you need it. It has 3 wipers for the front windshield, and a rear wiper, plus household current outlets in the front and back. Also a real parking assist system that beeps when you get close to something. A great CDROM came with it too, way better than reading the owners manual, tons of videos.

• 

  Best Car Ive driven and owned - 2009 Toyota Camry
  By mike_inmid5 - February 11 - 9:54 am

  First off, I have been in sales for 25 years. Many of those years were company supplied vehicles. Ford Taurus, Explorer. Have also owned Dodge Pickup, etc. All typical American vehicles. This Camry is just so much more refined than all those vehicles. Despite it being a 4 cylinder, the vehicle is plenty fast, and can pass at will (unless someone is doing 90 mph, then I wont pass them).Interior is great, I get a lot of compliments believe it or not, with SE the Ice Blue color. I have had zero maintenance problems. NADA ! Just change oil. At 46,000 miles now, and love every minute of it. The engine is bulletproof, and the ride is very comfortable. Ill likely keep it until 250,000 miles.

• 

  Good car for long trips, definitely not a race horse! - 2011 Toyota Camry
  By delmarva5 - February 10 - 6:18 pm

  I bought 2011 Camry LE (4 cyl.) with alloy wheels, sunroof, bluetooth, carpeted floor mats for about $24000 with 0% financing in late Oct. 2010. I have about 6000 miles on it and feel confident enough to write a review now. Overall: Comfortable car with good gas mileage, but definitely not for someone who wants a sporty ride or good accleration (ZERO sportiness and accleration). The car struggled while going uphill, however driving on flat roads was very comfortable. Almost noiseless cabin. Easy to use features that seem to have not been upgraded since 2005. Have a buyers remorse of overpaying the price.

• 

  My 4-runner - 2013 Toyota 4Runner
  By dusmmike - February 10 - 3:06 pm

  Very dependable SUV. Very neat body design. Larger size vehicle then the past 4-runners.

• 

  Great 4Runner - 2014 Toyota 4Runner
  By bevobob - February 10 - 1:28 am

  I purchased a new 2014 4Runner SR5 Premium because of the reduced interest rates for this model. I previously had a 2006 4Runner Limited and a 2000 Limited, which I was pleased with. I chose the SR5 Premium because it had everything except fancy wheels and the leather seats and I felt the Limited would not hold up well on my ranch with its smaller tires/larger wheels. The engine is efficient and the vehicle has more ground clearance than the 2006 4x4 Limited I had.