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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  I just went out and bought one - 2003 Toyota Camry
  By mgcdrummer - September 26 - 10:00 am

  I was car shopping and had myself set to buy a Honda Accord EX. I knew that this was the car for me. Then one of my co-workers suggested that i check out the Toyota Camry. I did not want a toyota camry, but i would check it out anyway. I didnt find anything special about the car except that the price was lower (no big deal to me) and it came with more standard equipment...im starting to be swayed at this point. Then i went for a test drive, that did it...i was sold. The ride was both smoother and quiter than in the honda accord. I decided that the Toyota was the car for me, and i saved $6,000 and have a low apr.

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  CAMRY - 2003 Toyota Camry
  By HECTOR - September 26 - 10:00 am

  EXCELLENT ACCELLERATION AND FUEL ECONOMY FOR 4 CYLINDER.

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  MY FAVORITE CAR - 2003 Toyota Camry
  By CHRISTINE - September 26 - 10:00 am

  I OWNED A CAMRY PRIOR TO THE CURRENT ONE. I BOUGHT MY PREV.CAMRY IN 1994. IT WAS A CAMRY LE SEDAN 4CYCL. THE CAR IS BASICALLY PROBLEM FREE AND BUILT TO LAST-I USED AND ABUSED THAT CARE- INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO SKIPPING OIL CHANGE AND TUNE UPS-THE CAR JUST WOULDNT FAIL-IT HAD APPROX.200,00 MLS.+ WHEN I TRADED IT IN-FOR ANOTHER CAMRY LE

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  excelent and elegance - 2003 Toyota Camry
  By sylvia - September 26 - 10:00 am

  4 cyl drivelike v6 very comfort excelent in fuel

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  The Bes Quality For The Money - 2003 Toyota Camry
  By robtfp - September 26 - 10:00 am

  Ive always had good performance from the Toyota Camry, and my 2003 is no exception. Ive driven it almost 7,000 miles and do not have any complaints although I can be quite picky about cars.

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  TOyota Camry - 2003 Toyota Camry
  By mzellmer67 - September 26 - 10:00 am

  I LOVE my Toyota Camry. I can not believe the gas lilage I am getting. My last car used a full tank of gas each week. This one last almost two weeks. The only flaws I have found with the car are the low grade tires and the very dim AC light that is hard to see in bright sunlight. Otherwise it is a perfect car.

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  Car of my dreams - 2003 Toyota Camry
  By EV - September 26 - 10:00 am

  After being a driver for more than 40 years, this is one vehicle that just plain outshines anything I have driven. The comfort is outstanding to say the least! Reliability is flawless! I owned a Toyota in the early 70s that I thought was great, but this is a world class comfort car. Lots of great amenaties as well! Makes one feel that you are in a luxury car. So smooth and quiet.

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  Awesome car! - 2003 Toyota Camry
  By Nicoles02Cmry - September 26 - 10:00 am

  Ive had a lot of great luck with this car and plan on driving it until it stops running.

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  Excelle t - 2003 Toyota Camry
  By Walter - September 26 - 10:00 am

  This is the best Camry yet. I love the ride, handle, the new look. Everything.

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  GoO CAR - 2003 Toyota Camry
  By ESTOYPISTIADO - September 26 - 10:00 am

  THE TOYOTA CAMRY IS VERY SPACIOUS. IM A 6 FOOT TALL PERSON AND THE PERSON THAT WOULD SIT BEHIND ME IS STILL COMFORTABLE!! I TOTALLY RECOMMEND IT