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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  10 years old and still running strong... - 2000 Toyota Camry
  By Ben - September 4 - 12:16 am

  Ive been having my 2000 Camry since 2005, before that my aunt owned it. she had regularly scheduled maintenance ever 3,000 mi as have I with minimal maintenance. Its easy to work on and drives smoothly @ 148,000 mi. Added short ram to it and have only changed out the radiator plugs and wires, and replaced gasket seals on the valve head and oil pan and door handles. other than that its an Awesome responsive ride.

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  Outstanding Car - 2006 Toyota Avalon
  By John Darr - September 4 - 12:16 am

  I purchased the Avalon as a Christmas Present for my wife who is a Real Estate Agent. It has the quality and refinement of a Lexus. It has a huge reclining back seat perfect for showing real estate. We have had a lot of complements for clients. My wife says it is the best car she has ever owned. I can rest easy that it conveys style and refinement with out being overstated and I know reliability is not an issue.

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  Loooooove the FJ!! - 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser
  By Suomex - September 3 - 5:33 pm

  This is bound to become a cult vehicle! What a successful redesign of a legend! Not an easy feat. I am female, so I didnt get the masculine looking roof rack, and in the blue color it is just amazing.Dont call it a Hummer! Some people do that, and I tell them its an ADVENTURE vhicle, no a military vehicle. It feels very stable in turns, hs decent torque for its sie and weight.I love the inclinometer!

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  An excellent car needs some improvements - 2006 Toyota Avalon
  By Raymond Warren - September 3 - 5:16 pm

  I like the stye, driving and riding comfort. The roof trim over the doors pops when using an automatic car wash. The navigation system is difficult to program and operate and is signficantly overpriced for the performance obtained. I will buy another Toyota Avalon Limited, but without the navigation system, unless it is redisigned to make it more user friendly.

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  Sweetride - 2010 Toyota Tacoma
  By Sweet - September 3 - 2:25 pm

  Low cost maintenance. Good performance.

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  Solid overall truck - 2006 Toyota Tacoma
  By yotiss - September 3 - 12:26 pm

  This truck has performed exactly as I have needed it to. I have hauled and towed thousands of pounds over the past 2 years without a hint of power loss or suspention drop. The back seat is also perfect for driving my kids around. I have 3 other friends with this truck that feel the same way. Solid truck, solid buy!!

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  What a truck - 2015 Toyota Tacoma
  By skylinepro - September 3 - 11:33 am

  2015 TRD Sport - This is my first ever brand new vehicle. I looked at several vehicles and this truck was the best bang for the buck. It was the most expensive out of all the trucks I looked at, but I felt that this will last me as Toyotas have always been dependable and the resale is great.

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  awesome - 1996 Toyota Camry
  By petrie - September 3 - 10:00 am

  The car now has 151,000 miles on it and the thing runs like new. Ive changed fluids and plugs and timing belt, the brakes went until 130,000 miles before I had to change them! Ive also changed the shocks and thats it. The car looks like new in and out! It has never been to the dealer for anything besides the belt! I have driven the new (2004) camry and they are not even close to the build quality of the 96? The brakes suck and the 2004 had more wind noise and rattles than my 96? This was a 2004 car with 2,400 miles vs a 96 with 151,000! The highlander is my next purchase. Im keeping my camry forever, it might last that long!!!!

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  Love this car - 2004 Toyota Prius
  By Robert Coffman - September 3 - 10:00 am

  I ordered this car sight unseen. It has been everything I hoped and more. This is perhaps the best car I have ever owned.

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  BAD ASS!!!!! - 2004 Toyota Tacoma
  By michaelMAIL - September 3 - 10:00 am

  I LOVE THIS TRUCK