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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  love it - 2003 Toyota Corolla
  By sylvie - January 12 - 2:00 am

  love the vehicle

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  Great Car, Decent MPG - 2007 Toyota Prius
  By rwb9900 - January 12 - 12:43 am

  I really like it. I would not buy from Sun Toyota though. MPG are good but a far cry from what they tell you it will be.

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  Do not buy it - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By alex - January 11 - 11:13 pm

  I replaced my 2003 Camry with this one and I am deeply dissapointed. First of all the engine is too weak for the mass of the new car. Second the internal comfort id awful. The previous soft seats were replaced with hard cheap ones which are very very uncomfortable and give me back pain. Third the visibility is much worse than on 2003 model. Indeed the engine is slightly quiter, but overal impression is the same as on old model. Inside there is a lot of CHEAP plastic and designer who made the design is obviously does not hold diploma and is amateur. In sum - bad car for the money. I have been Toyota owner for more than 20 years but latest Camry put a break of my loyality to the company.

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  bjwcamry06 - 2006 Toyota Camry
  By bw06camry - January 11 - 9:53 pm

  I traded in my tacoma for the camry due to rising fuel prices, and I got 24+ on first tank and been getting the same since, and in the tacoma got 17- 18, has good acceleration for a 4 cylinder. I am 6 ft tall and fit perfectly in it, I have yet to take it on a long haul but feel I would be comfortable in it for the long trips. Interior is made with good quality material. Rear seat has plenty of room even with front seat all the way back.

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  2008 Camry - 2008 Toyota Camry
  By Allen - January 11 - 6:33 pm

  Great commuter car for the wife. Good value for the price, with nice looks and fine (so far) fit and finish.

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  My little blue beast!! - 2007 Toyota Yaris
  By Meredith - January 11 - 3:16 pm

  i recently purchased my 07 yaris hatchback and i LOVE IT! it is extremely spacious on the inside and i love all of the available features, the armrest(very comfortable), the aux jack which is even better because it is accesible with i-pods, keyless entry, power windows, etc.. this car is a dream. Lots of pickup, this car really likes to go even though it only has 109 hp. The digital gauges are a fun new feature that i havent yet seen in a toyota(my family owns only toyotas).

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  90,000 miles and just getting broken in - 2012 Toyota Camry
  By Gandolf - January 11 - 2:42 pm

  I purchased my 2012 Camry SE last November with 90,000 miles on it. The car is tight, fast, handles fantastic and is beautiful to look at inside and out. They say a Camry is an old persons car. Well this old person is a spirited driver and the SE is hiding its true identity. It is an SE with all the XLE options.

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  I love this car - 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By Microe - January 11 - 2:30 pm

  I am really suprised how much I love this car. Blue ribbon metallic is a great color. The handling is smooth and responsive. Very comfortable and quite. Yes, the truck is small but that is the sacrifice for the hybrid. I am getting 37 mpg now and hope to improve that in the future with better driving habits.

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  Conmuter car - 2016 Toyota Prius
  By Henry Chin - January 11 - 12:48 pm

  Super mph

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  Never imagined - 2009 Toyota Prius
  By JC - January 11 - 11:23 am

  Not the typical hybrid owner, but, I love intricate gadgets that make sense and do exactly what is expected and then some and that, is the Prius. You wonder how it can go from so many different modes so seamlessly. I have the Touring which is a little too spirited for a green car, yet, with all that it does on its own, this car very quickly gains its own personality and becomes an object of affection... just cant quite explain it. The bottom line here, out of all the sport/fast/trendy cars I have owned, this Prius is by far the most intuitive machine of them all.