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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  great car!!! - 2004 Toyota Camry Solara
  By mikeL - May 20 - 10:00 am

  i just got my solara couple of days gao and im loving it already...what a smooth ride..however, ive experienced a tiny problem with my tire pressure warning light...its always on and i checked my tire pressure and its fine...also my car keeps on pulling to the left = / does anybody experience the same problems?

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  Awesome! - 2003 Toyota 4Runner
  By msanta - May 20 - 10:00 am

  I bought my 4Runner in July and I am in love with it! Its a pleasure to drive it, very comfortable, smooth ride, and well built. It has a sleek and sporty look that cant be beat and handles the road like a champ.

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  LUV this 4Runner - 2003 Toyota 4Runner
  By carmaldondo - May 20 - 10:00 am

  Best SUV I have ever owned, Great Vehicle. Cannot go wrong with a 4Runner!

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  wife loves it - 2003 Toyota Highlander
  By fastest - May 20 - 10:00 am

  i tried the subaru outbacks, forrester, passat wagons. This one made my wife happiest because of the ride, height, capacity, and safety ratings.

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  GREAT RIDE! - 2003 Toyota Camry
  By MELISSA ARNOLD - May 20 - 10:00 am

  I LOVE THIS CAR! VERY SMOOTH RIDE. WOULDNT CHANGE MUCH. YOULL BE GOING 80 MPH THINK YOUR ONLY GOING 50 MPH. I HAVE TO WATCH THAT!

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  love it - 2000 Toyota Camry Solara
  By ae - May 20 - 9:20 am

  This car is loaded with nice features. The quality of this particular toyota is comparable to their lexus line. It is really smooth, and has plenty of power.

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  WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!! - 2001 Toyota Corolla
  By 12345678910111213141 - May 20 - 2:56 am

  This car is great...a larger interior...a sportier exterior...you cant go wrong with this car!!!

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  TERRIFIC CAR!! - 2005 Toyota Prius
  By KATHYD - May 20 - 2:33 am

  We love our Prius!! Weve had it almost 9 months and are thrilled with the gas mileage. In warmer weather, (45-50 degrees or above) we have averaged 50 MPG. Now that it is cold we are averaging about 40-42 MPG. We have changed the way we drive, with no "Jack- rabbit" starts or stops, and we saw a big difference in mileage from when we got the car originally to several months after we got it. it was a definite learning process. It is a wonderful car!! We highly recommend it!!

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  Miss My Camry :( - 1998 Toyota Camry
  By 2.2 Camry LE Sedan - May 19 - 10:06 pm

  This was my second car; first was a 91 Civic LE. After it died suddenly, I had 2 days to buy a new car. I needed something really reliable so I looked at Camrys. I had the car a little over a year when someone pulled out in front of me and i totaled it. When I bought the car it had 85k and it had 93k when I lost it. This car was amazing. I had intended on keeping it until I ran it into the ground, which I figured would be around 250-300k. Car had 1 owner b/f me. I took meticulous care of it. It was an amazing car. W/ snow tires, it safely took me over Snoq. Pass (WA) in the snow several times, and around snowy Sea and Spo. This is one of best cars out there, better than brand new Am sedans.

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  Prius - 2007 Toyota Prius
  By tom - May 19 - 2:03 pm

  With gas approaching $3.00, this was an excellent investment. I am getting over 48 mpg combined city/highway driving. The ride quality is excellent.