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 love my FJ - 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser
  By Laura - August 24 - 5:40 am

  Everywhere I go, people stop to ask me about my FJ Cruiser. Im the only one in my town to have one so far. I love driving it, as does my husband. Its very sturdy and comfortable.

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  So far So great - 2009 Toyota Highlander
  By Marc Lindstrom - August 23 - 10:20 pm

  Cant say enough about the Highlander. Handles great, rides better, and has great pickup speed.

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  silly rice burner! what? - 2012 Toyota FJ Cruiser
  By dakomaha - August 23 - 6:45 pm

  Im 36, I served in the military for 12 yrs. rough, tough and rugged reliable rigs at work, and jeep wranglers at home. Ive never even considered anything else. purchase a wrangler, smittybilt bumpers, black rims, and rugged mud tires for the snow, mud ect........... now, over a decade later 100% IU disabled vet with a bad back and no leg from my left knee down, I was devestated. no clutch lol.... so, i decided to open my options. in the entire car/suv/and 4x4 line up I was about to throw my hands up. then I saw a FJ extremely attractive from the outside. I dont want to say "boxy" but it wasnt all aero dynamic- It looked like a SUV built for a man. Then I saw the inside. WOW!

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  Great family car - 2007 Toyota Sequoia
  By Love it! - August 23 - 3:10 pm

  Love this car! What a great car for our long road trips and also all the in town day to day driving too. Nav and the DVD are great and a must have. The third seat comes in handy for extra family in town and can fold up or be taken out easily. The 2nd row bucket seats that recline with very large console is very nice and our teenager loves it. We will have this car for many years to come. We get 14.3 mpg in town.

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  2 Years & Going Strong - Prius Love! - 2008 Toyota Prius
  By bluegrass in Hogtown - August 23 - 11:23 am

  Well,hey, its now been 2 full years of ownership, and mighty good ones, at that. Its still toting my Kay upright bass, guitars, banjos, etc., and has even survived a pole smack, although not without my spending some time in a rental while body work was done (beautifully) and an EXPENSIVE little thermos-tank-container-thingy right behind the front bumper was installed TWICE (first replacement was defective, second one is on order). So - dont HIT anything (you would think plastic was cheap - nope!). Anyway, gas mileage & hauling capacity cant be beat. Pain at the pump? Nope! Smile on my face? Yep-you betcha!

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  Champagne on a beer budget - 2001 Toyota Avalon
  By TMINJ - August 23 - 4:33 am

  Bought it w/ 127K 5 months ago, 159K now, paid $9K (well maintained) it is really a flawless car. Sure, I had to replace the timing belt and brakes, but that is what is expected at 100K miles. The ride on this car is smooth and it takes to hard corners like a bucket of water, but it is not a sports car and that should be understood. Ride / build is Lexus quality. Even with 159K miles on it is solid over bumps and shows no sign of its age. Interior space is outstanding and power seats make good comfort and lumbar support. This is my second Avalon and looking forward to breaking 300K on this one like I did my last one. Then I will buy another 8-9 year old Avalon and start all over again!

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  Love My Sequoia - 2008 Toyota Sequoia
  By Serious Consumer - August 23 - 2:30 am

  I have had this SUV for over a year now and am just as pleased with it now as when I first bought it. The best vehicle purchase I have ever made. I love everything about this vehicle! I love the design, performance, comfort, everything.

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  The best bang for your buck - 2005 Toyota 4Runner
  By Abed - August 22 - 2:26 am

  I bought this car a bout a month ago and I love it, I fight with my wife for who is going to drive it. I came back through a bad snow storm and I could not believe how it handled, it was great and fun. It handles great and I feel very confident having my families in it. I would loved to have a comfy 3rd row seat in it.

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  Research resarch, drive it - 2008 Toyota Highlander
  By Dave - August 22 - 1:46 am

  Bought used with 33,000. Runs great no problem finding tires. Had to search a little but found 10 brands that make that size. Rides and handles like a car. My wife is disabled and has little to no trouble getting in and out. Only real grip is not having a hatch release up front.

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  Teaching Me How to Drive - 2008 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By Connie - August 22 - 12:50 am

  The beauty of the transition from gasoline to hybrid is the relationship between human and machine. Toyota engineers have created an intimate, auto-feedback system that reinforces "listening" to the car and reading the mpg rather than the speedometer. The Camrys gas pedal must be finest tuned gas pedal ever created. This car is designed to float, not drive. Accelerating up to speed as fast as possible and then backing off the gas pedal makes the mpg needle fall below 60 if youre in the 40-45 mph range. This is so satisfying! I love turning off the car and getting my props for having acheived 40 mpg! Camry hybrid is a wonderful ride and drive!