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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  4Runner - 2005 Toyota 4Runner
  By Yota - May 19 - 12:00 pm

  this vehicle is awesome, it is the best SUV on the market. For those people who have never tried a 4Runner you better hurry up and go try one. It may be more expensive than other auto maker, but it is definitely worth the money you spend.

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  Extremely reliable, quiet ride - 1999 Toyota Camry Solara
  By KY - May 19 - 10:00 am

  Love this car! It drives likes a Lexus. I have owned the 1999 Solara SLE V6 since it was new. I have had few problems with it in the 11 years. Get the leather in this car! It is unbelievably comfortable. I would love to drive a Prius for the gas mileage but Im keeping my classic as long as I can.

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  Very Happy with my 2001 Sienna. - 2001 Toyota Sienna
  By DaveB - May 19 - 10:00 am

  Bought new.Now have over 300k km and it just keeps going and going. Never had a major repair. Firm believer in preventative maintenance. Did all recommended maintenance exactly as prescribed in manual and have not had any problems. Lost rear wheel bearings at 260K km but fronts still in good condition. It has survived two teenage drivers and is a favorite for group road trips. Always had part of a sports team on-board going somewhere. Very comfortable to drive. I have since purchased 2 used 2001 corollas in 2004 and 2008 for my kids attending university and they just keep going and going. My non Toyota mechanic cant believe the condition of all 3 cars. 2001 was a very good year for Toyotas.

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  Camry - 2010 Toyota Camry
  By Toyota camry - May 19 - 10:00 am

  Excellent vehicle with a reliability, very durable and a affordable sedan for the masses.

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  10 months later - 2010 Toyota Camry
  By petras52 - May 19 - 10:00 am

  Still happy with my 4 cylinder le 10 months later. No reliability issues, observed mileage as high as 39 mpg in mostly hwy driving, decent performance from the smooth 4 cylinder 6 spd a/t does act differently from the 4 spds Im used to in that when coasting, car decelerates quicker but Im told this is normal, optional jbl stereo sounds good but display "washes out" in bright sunlight, very comfortable, quiet ride, maybe at the expense of better handling but thats ok considering my driving style. Absolutely no regrets buying this fine car.

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  Made in Japan, and it shows! - 2010 Toyota Prius
  By Jim - May 19 - 10:00 am

  Love my Prius so far, I am averaging 54 MPG. Solid feel, good handling. Previously owned 2010 Camry and was VERY disappointed with many technical problems. Prius is my 4th car, and I must say I am very happy with my investment. I plan to keep it for a long while.

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  Good Car - 2008 Toyota Prius
  By jt - May 19 - 8:46 am

  Bought the 2008 Toyota Prius with package 3. I love the Prius. Its so fun to play with and so easy to drive. Its a little slow from a dead stop, but it will really get up and go on the highway. The display screen is fun to play with. The seats are comfy for being a car. If youre over 60" you will fit just fine. I am 64" and i fit perfect. I can fit in the back comfortably with the front seats all the way back as well. I spent $30 to fill up. I used to have a cummins diesel and it took me $100 to fill up and I could only get about 400 miles off a 35 gallon tank. Now I am getting 500 miles off only 10 gallons!

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  Its awesome !! I LOVE my car - 1996 Toyota Avalon
  By ilovesai - May 18 - 2:00 pm

  Its very funny that before buying this car I did not hear of it !! I wanted something midsize and the delear showed me Avalon XLS. I test run it and i fell in love.It was big though for me but than when I got it home and started drivining it its like dream come true.Its the most amazing car Ive ever driven. I really feel lucky to have this car as when I went out to buy I did not have this car in my mind..All my friends love it and I really really am in love with my car. It hit 100K today so I felt like writing about it. If you are considering buying a midsize car plz do check avalon and I bet you would not go anywhere else.

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  solid car - 2010 Toyota Corolla
  By justink - May 18 - 7:10 am

  This car is a solid, dependable car. I bought this car coming from 2 bad experiences with Pontiac and Lincoln. I am hoping that this car is as reliable as corollas of the past. So far, i am getting 36 mpg on average. On the highway i am getting close to 38, which is great. The ride is smooth and relatively quiet. The stereo system could be better, but I may upgrade that myself. The seats are comfortable, and I love using the auxiliary part of the stereo for my IPOD.

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  The best vehicle a guy could ever own ! - 2004 Toyota Tundra
  By taz779 - May 18 - 6:05 am

  Bought this truck right off the lot in 2004. It was my DREAM truck. For years I watched waited and prayed that one day it would happen and it DID ! I think one of the sleekest design moves that Toyota did with Tubdra that year is the rear window that amazingly to this day I am still getting comments about. Goes all the way down !!! I love the way ppl are freaked out by this, in addition to this day ppl are still wanting to buy my truck. My final word I have had a very hard time coming to the decision untill this year which my mechanic helped me with I going to KEEP HER !!! My next DREAM VEHICLE is Toyota ( LAND CRUSIER) ...YES Go drive one today !