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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  Swagger Wagon Rocks! - 2011 Toyota Sienna
  By GatorKeithB - October 25 - 2:00 am

  We avoided the minivan like none other. But after going to the auto show we narrowed it down to either the Buick Enclave or the Sienna SE. This was as we wanted a car with three rows so as to be able to get back to the kids as well as take the grandparents. We test drove the Sienna SE Swagger Wagon the day after the show, and ending up buying the day after. This is the first minivan that actually turned my head due to styling, and you just cant beat Toyo reliability vs unknown GM reliability (imo). So far, only having it for a week, we are really enjoying it. I love the styling in and out, rides great on the 19" low profile tires, and has tight steering and feel.

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  06 LE, auto - 2006 Toyota Corolla
  By emmettrose1962 - October 23 - 7:23 pm

  Overall very happy. Great mileage; 35+mpg from the dealer on the first tank, 39.2 mpg on I95 to Myrtle Beach at 80mph all the way. 36+mpg at 85-90 mph on the way back. Only problem is squeaky rear dash panels (plastic vibrates against the metal underneath.

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  Wish my 99 Range Rover had been Cruiser - 2006 Toyota Land Cruiser
  By Joe - October 23 - 8:46 am

  Refined, quite, smooth and powerful. Supberb fit and finish. Excellent on interstate or pot holes. Confidence inspiring brakes and excelleration. I have owned 4-wheel Ford Exploirer and all-time-4 Range Rover. They were both older and both may be technically superior today, but I cannot imagine loving any vehicle like my Cruiser

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  Absolute Elegance - 2006 Toyota Camry Solara
  By ksanmart - October 23 - 5:13 am

  Car is luxurious both inside and out. Ride is very smooth and cushiony. Back seats are full sized and comfortable for passengers. Styling is beautiful and car has been extremely reliable so far. Automatic convertible room is a snap to open and close. Convertible boot (cover) is stylish although tedious to install. Gas mileage is good for such a large car - about 23 mpg average when doing city and highway driving combined. Acceleration is smooth and pick-up is more than adequate.

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  Great Car - wish the brakes were better - 2002 Toyota Camry
  By 02 Camry Owner - October 22 - 5:20 pm

  My 02 Camry LE 4cyl has been a great car. Fuel mileage is awesome, interior room is great, and the overall quality is tops. My big complaint is the brakes. They require a lot of pressure to operate them, and even though the stops, it feels weird. Ive heard that other owners have the same complaint.

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  2002 RAV4 5spd - 2002 Toyota RAV4
  By RB - October 22 - 10:23 am

  Bought new in 2002. 5spd Stick, original clutch still going strong at 100000+... oil changed regularly, front brakes once, tires once, wiper blades, a couple of light bulbs... THATs IT! Terrific little wagon!!! Best vehicle Ive ever owned. Check Engine Light came on after about a year, reprogramming of the module was done at no cost and has never come on since! Id definitely buy another!!!

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  Carol & Jeff - 2000 Toyota Tundra
  By sandra & Jeff - October 22 - 4:33 am

  Ive taken this vehicle to Tahoe many times. It handles great in the snow, takes the corners like a dream and its a smooth ride. I havent checked out the newer models. I plan to keep my 2000 for a long time. I have 134,000 miles on it. I have the oil and filter changed every 4000 miles. Ive had no problems at all.

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  Tundra 2004 - 2004 Toyota Tundra
  By teton0 - October 21 - 2:00 am

  Have had the truck for two months. It has a great ride and the quality is pure Toyota. It is very comfortable and quiet on the highway. The V6 is more than enough power for everyday driving and the truck gets up to speed for merging onto the freeway with no trouble. I like the throaty exhaust sound, too. The only thing Im still trying to adjust to is finding, without concentrating, the clutch friction point for that smooth, minimum rev startup. I still stall the truck occassionally or need to give it more gas (compared to the 89 Jeep Cherokee and 2003 Honda Civic we have in the family). Becoming one with the truck is only a matter of time.

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  They keep getting better - 2004 Toyota 4Runner
  By desmo - October 21 - 2:00 am

  This is my 4th (one of each generation). Cudos to the 4Runner engineers who find ways to improve upon this great vehicle. Not yet tested the offroad capabilities but if its anything like my 1999 Sport (at 10k+ feet ;), I will be happy.

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  An overall great vehicle - 2004 Toyota Sequoia
  By Rlerman - October 20 - 7:33 pm

  I have this car for two months now and after 1000 miles have few complaints. Smooth ride, solid construction, very quiet, good acceleration and tons of room. Turning ratio is good, but the vehicle can be a little tough to manuever in parking lots. Rear visibility is partially obscured by rear seat headrests. Gas mileage about 15, but thats expected for a V- 8. My biggest gripe is that auto-off headlamps were not on this vehicle, despite it being listed as standard equipment on Edmunds website. Seems Toyota builds some with it and some without.