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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  Good small car with huge trunk - 2006 Toyota RAV4
  By jim - January 6 - 8:00 am

  Have driven our base RAV4 for one year and 16000 miles. Drove it 1300 miles to Florida in fall and back again last week. Vehicle was fully loaded inside w/18 cu. ft. cargo carrier on roof. The 4 cyl was amazing in cruising, passing the big truck rigs on the interstate and just flattened the mountains of Virginia and Pennsylvania, very imressive power for a 4 cyl. Handling is crisp and nimble but not harsh. Driving between 70 and 80 fully loaded, we averaged 27.4 MPG. We get 28.7 around Florida . All in all its a decent small car with a huge trunk.

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  Awesome car - 1999 Toyota Camry
  By Duke Chowdhury - January 6 - 2:16 am

  I have driven many cars from BMW to Mercedes but this is the only car that ran flawlessly even though it was much older than BMW 3 2.8 and Mercedes E320. It is fun to drive, comfortable and gets great gas mileage while being immaculately reliable no wonder Toyota will become the largest car manufacturer in the world in few years. The Detroit boys have a lot of work to do. Recommend to anyone.

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  Great Car - Great Mileage - Happy Camper - 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By Rob - January 5 - 8:50 pm

  Love the car, the switch from battery to gas isnt noisy, but a little jerky at first, but as you drive you forget it. Rides well, and handles great. A little soft on power but its only a 4 banger. If driven right, the mileage will be 40 highway and 45 city. You cant beat that for the size of the vehicle. I love it.

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  1st Day - GREAT! - 2005 Toyota Prius
  By So-Cal Driver - January 5 - 7:50 pm

  My wife and I have only had our Prius for exactly 1 day! We did a TON of research and car shopping before we bought this car and I was skeptical at first, but it has definitely lived up to the hype. 46.7 mph on the first drive to work, clean, I love the silence when you stop at a light and during parking and backing up, acceleration is not a problem AT ALL! Coming from 93 Honda Accord this thing is a beauty. Enjoy your vehicle!

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  Fj - 2010 Toyota FJ Cruiser
  By Cliff Wheeler - January 5 - 4:32 pm

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  Wont buy another - 2007 Toyota Matrix
  By doberwoman - January 5 - 12:26 am

  I purchased my 2007 Matrix XR brand new, no one else even test drove it. I have 30,000 miles on it and so far at less than 20,000 miles they had to resurface the rotors, but the pads are just fine. They then replaced the belt. Then, they replaced the water pump and the belt again! Today I was driving down the road and it just died. Its in the shop right now. I dont know yet what this latest problem it, but of course it is out of warranty now. The car style is great for hauling stuff. Love the fold down back and passenger seats and love that the window in back opens without having to open the entire back.

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  its the car in pakistan - 2007 Toyota Corolla
  By zuhair - January 4 - 4:43 pm

  u can say that toyota corolla is the car in pakistan here every 4 person have toyota corolla

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  250,000 miles and going strong - 2000 Toyota Camry
  By Lauren - January 4 - 1:25 pm

  Great reliable car! I have had this car for 17 years and it has had minimal problems, besides the normal wear and tear. Cheap to maintain, but must be kept up to get a fantastic lifespan. The power is not the best, but if you are buying a Toyota sedan you are buying for durability not power. Only problem arising is that I am starting to smell a burnt oil smell. Overall, a great first car with a lot of storage!

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  Disappointing - 2007 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
  By D - January 4 - 7:30 am

  The best thing about this car is the drive train. Interior is awful starting with the electronics. No tire pressure monitor, no satellite radio, no backup camera. Nav system is primitive. Dash is out of the early 1990s. No two zone climate control and silly 3rd row seats. Toyota blew it, this could have been an awesome vehicle.

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  My Short Bus - 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser
  By Tegeras - January 4 - 2:26 am

  Handles a lot better than I expected. Acceleration is super nice for a SUV. Love the head room and the look of the interior. Gas mileage is nice and should not be an issue with anyone. You want good gas mileage then go buy a subcompact! I mean seriously, this is a 4300lb suv.