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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  LTD 4WD 4RUNNER - 2005 Toyota 4Runner
  By Mike Kanzer - October 29 - 6:43 pm

  I traded in a Lexus ES 300 for my new 4Runner and I get almost as good gas mileage with the SUV (16-16.5 city) as I did with the lexus (17). The 4 runner drives beautifully and is well made.

• 

  Fun in the Sun - 2002 Toyota Camry Solara
  By CMA - October 29 - 7:16 am

  We bought the Solara as a Certified Used Toyota. The car gives a Lexus like ride. The V6 accelarates well and the transmission is smooth. The car is very comfortable on long trips.

• 

  First new Toyota - 2007 Toyota Camry
  By John - October 29 - 3:16 am

  After 2,000 miles, the car is a pleasure to drive, does all the things I expected a Toyota to do. This car has hand controls and a braun chairtopper on the roof for my wifes wheelchair. The back seat has adequate room for my chair. The trunk is large. The controls were installed without a problem no cutting of interior plastic, the knee airbag was bypassed. The chairtopper creates a lot of drag and a fuel economy penalty. I get 18.5 mpg city and 22 highway with this setup with midgrade fuel, which got rid of the knocking problem and improved performance. If you need a lot of passing power on the highway or plan to modify the car in any legal way spend the extra money and buy the V6.

• 

  Great investment - 1999 Toyota Sienna
  By inkman 1 - October 29 - 2:10 am

  My 2 sons both competitive Van in 1999 and 2000. Comparing ride, comfort and problems , The Toyota is head and Shoulders above Ford and Chevy Vans. Comfort and ease a driving along with its, NOT TOO BIG SIZE, is the key to all around use. Toyota gets a 10 in my book. In fact we also have a Lexus RX300 and We enjoy the Van equally.

• 

  the best - 2000 Toyota Echo
  By zaatsy - October 28 - 11:13 pm

  My Echo is best car I have ever owned. Totally reliable. 6 years and 192000 miles driven & all I have had to replace is a thermostat. I do keep on top of the maintenance. The inside is so roomy I dont feel I am in a small car until I see another Echo. The sound system is excellent. I would have preferred a little more body style and would have loved it if I could ever have achieved the milage of 43 mpg mentioned on the sticker. Small cars usually have no "get up and go" but the peppiness of the Echo is incredibly impressive. I love my car so much I wanted to purchase another. I was devastated when I found them dropped from the line.

• 

  Love to own it - 2004 Toyota Camry
  By Charlotte Branch - October 28 - 5:56 pm

  I have never owned a toyota before, but had heard how reliable it was, so I bought one. Not only is it reliable, it is beautiful, and a vehicle proud to own. I only wish it got better gas mileage, but everything else tends to balance that out. I do love it.

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  Great little car! - 2005 Toyota Prius
  By Lonnie B - October 28 - 4:30 pm

  This was absolutely an impulse purchase, but we are loving this terrific little car. In fact, my husband now chooses to drive it to work in place of his big Lexus! Were still getting to know it, but what we see so far we like: design, comfort, size (fits five adults easily with plenty of leg room in back), and of course gas mileage.

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  Superb !!! Except for the JBL Premium sound. - 2016 Toyota Camry
  By Andy - October 28 - 9:29 am

  The XSE V6 is an excellent car. Super impressive Engine, performance and handling. I cannot fault anything on the car EXCEPT the JBL "Premium" Audio. It is utterly unacceptable and poor. The rear speaker has barely anything going to it, almost no bass, (or any sound at all) comes from the lower door speakers, I would say upwards of 90% of the sound, (bass included) is directed to the high in-dash speakers. Volume? With volume set at Max, you can hold a normal conversation in the front seats without raising voices. It is utterly pitiful. No power, no volume, no bass. During preparation for production, one person, somewhere in the Toyota organization, would have probably been responsible for making the decision to go ahead and include this system, and to label it as "Premium Sound". This person should be fired. Then the fact that somebody in Quality didnt listen to it and check it afterwards, baffles me. EVERYTHING about this car is excellent, except the music. Absolutely, buy the car (XSE V6), but be prepared to immediately get a stereo shop to rip out the pitiful, impotent sound system, and replace it with something louder than your average bedside clock/radio alarm clock. Premium sound? Really, Toyota? Premium?? Not even on the same map.

• 

  Superb !!! Except for the JBL Premium sound. - 2016 Toyota Camry
  By Andy - October 28 - 9:29 am

  The XSE V6 is an excellent car. Super impressive Engine, performance and handling. I cannot fault anything on the car EXCEPT the JBL "Premium" Audio. It is utterly unacceptable and poor. The rear speaker has barely anything going to it, almost no bass, (or any sound at all) comes from the lower door speakers, I would say upwards of 90% of the sound, (bass included) is directed to the high in-dash speakers. Volume? With volume set at Max, you can hold a normal conversation in the front seats without raising voices. It is utterly pitiful. No power, no volume, no bass. During preparation for production, one person, somewhere in the Toyota organization, would have probably been responsible for making the decision to go ahead and include this system, and to label it as "Premium Sound". This person should be fired. Then the fact that somebody in Quality didnt listen to it and check it afterwards, baffles me. EVERYTHING about this car is excellent, except the music. Absolutely, buy the car (XSE V6), but be prepared to immediately get a stereo shop to rip out the pitiful, impotent sound system, and replace it with something louder than your average bedside clock/radio alarm clock. Premium sound? Really, Toyota? Premium?? Not even on the same map.

• 

  Superb !!! Except for the JBL Premium sound. - 2016 Toyota Camry
  By Andy - October 28 - 9:29 am

  The XSE V6 is an excellent car. Super impressive Engine, performance and handling. I cannot fault anything on the car EXCEPT the JBL "Premium" Audio. It is utterly unacceptable and poor. The rear speaker has barely anything going to it, almost no bass, (or any sound at all) comes from the lower door speakers, I would say upwards of 90% of the sound, (bass included) is directed to the high in-dash speakers. Volume? With volume set at Max, you can hold a normal conversation in the front seats without raising voices. It is utterly pitiful. No power, no volume, no bass. During preparation for production, one person, somewhere in the Toyota organization, would have probably been responsible for making the decision to go ahead and include this system, and to label it as "Premium Sound". This person should be fired. Then the fact that somebody in Quality didnt listen to it and check it afterwards, baffles me. EVERYTHING about this car is excellent, except the music. Absolutely, buy the car (XSE V6), but be prepared to immediately get a stereo shop to rip out the pitiful, impotent sound system, and replace it with something louder than your average bedside clock/radio alarm clock. Premium sound? Really, Toyota? Premium?? Not even on the same map.