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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  Ill Buy 4Runners Again...and Again... - 2003 Toyota 4Runner
  By Tom Fox - August 25 - 10:00 am

  Owned 94 4Runner; sold in 99 @ 125k miles w/ NO unsched maintenance. Bought 03 SR5 4wd V8. HUGE improvement. $24k for loaded SR5 4wd in 94; $29k for 03. Now have full-time 4wd, SR5 appearance package (no UGLY plastic clad fenders), no sway, more room, better ride, quiet, center locking differential, rear seat audio w/wireless headphones and remote (kids listen to their station while you listen to yours on the 10 speakers), 17" wheels, alarm system, fog lamps, daytime running lights, moonroof, auto off head/fog lights, auto closing tailgate, hill hold, downhill assist, V8. $1,000 BELOW invoice in northern Virginia! Not "truck-like" (RE: Durango).

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  so long BMW X-5 Hello Highlander - 2003 Toyota Highlander
  By pb - August 25 - 10:00 am

  Bought Limited edition for my wife and traded in her 2001 BMW X-5 (poor reliability). Test drove XC90 Volvo, Honda Pilot, Acura MDX and Lexus RX330. We both agreed that the Highlander won hands down. Didnt like new drivetrain, 5 speed auto, of Lexus; could feel down shifting and slight whine on deceleration; too lond a wait for Pilot; MDX and XC90 to pricey vs. Highlander.

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  Impressive - 2003 Toyota Corolla
  By ILuvUMan - August 25 - 10:00 am

  My wife wanted the car and in $14k range (after bargaining them down) who was going to argue, especially after owning Accura and Accords before? Am Totally Impressed.

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  Great starter car - 2001 Toyota Celica
  By Tracy - August 25 - 5:30 am

  This was my first car. Bought it when I was 19. Affordable, easy to drive and sporty looking. Small car could easily fit in small parking spaces. Great for commuting since it is excellent on gas. Great for me and my dog!

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  Very Nice Minivan! - 2010 Toyota Sienna
  By Joe - August 25 - 4:33 am

  Ive put 1500 mi my 1st 2 weeks of ownership. I love to drive this Van. It gets great gas mileage 25 mpg hwy. This van has plenty of power off the line and plenty of passing power. It rides more like a luxury car than a van. Its smooth and stable over bumps. Its really been a joy to drive so far. I like the shifter location over all competitor models, it is low and I can rest my hand on shifter like my car. All competitors have shifter way up high on the dash. As for style the sliding door track is located just below the window and is pretty much unnoticeable, where the Odyssey has their door track in the middle of the rear quarter panel. Sienna looks more like a car than a minivan.

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  Its a Camry. - 2016 Toyota Camry
  By Nick Eckhardt - August 24 - 4:36 pm

  Its the perfect family sedan. End of story.

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  Finally, a Hybrid sedan - 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By Muadib84 - August 24 - 3:33 pm

  The TCH finally fills a market segment badly needed... the hybrid sedan! I love the idea of hybrids, but the existing choices did not fit - the Prius too small, the Highlander too large. This is perfect! It drives wonderfully, comfortable, smooth and refined. And despite discussions in the press of less than EPA milwage MPG -- the averages are great! This is a hybrid for the average person!

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  Oh what a wonderful Toyota Highlander! - 2017 Toyota Highlander
  By Chip Glidden - August 24 - 12:28 pm

  This everything I had hoped for and more. The Highlander is very comfortable and stylish. The safety features are an added reason to pick this great vehicle.

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  Awesome power - 2008 Toyota Tundra
  By John - August 24 - 10:23 am

  What a great truck this is! We have had trucks from all the majors, just recently had an 03 F250 diesel. Then come our Tundra and all I can say is WOW. The powertrain in this thing is great, sleek styling lines, tow capabilities and Toyota quality is what sold us. The interior plastics could be better, ride can get a little funky over expansion joints at high speeds. In 6 months been into dealer for squealing belt twice, under warranty. We live in a GM town, and have always tried to drive something different. All the Chevys and Gmcs tend to all look alike and there are lots of them around. Cant wait to tow our camper this year.

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  Gotta love it! - 2005 Toyota Tacoma
  By Vu - August 24 - 5:40 am

  Only put 200 miles on the truck so far but had loads of fun doing it. I opted for the TRD Offroad Package and have had a great time running over and thru anything I can find. It has everything you can want - the power, looks, performance, and driveability!