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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  2011 Highlander Hybrid - 2011 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
  By tdmiller - October 27 - 2:56 am

  We previously owned a 2003 Honda Ody and were happy with it. Downside was that 90% of the time we only needed 4 seats- and half the time just the drivers! Nice to be able to haul stuff, great for vacations, but rising fuel costs a concern. We wanted to keep the 3 row flexibility in our next vehicle, improve fuel economy, and perhaps get something that was not over 200+ inches, making it a tight squeeze in the garage. The Highlander Hybrid hit these major features and more.

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  I love my Corolla S - 2010 Toyota Corolla
  By Jaime - October 26 - 8:26 pm

  This car is fun to drive, I love being inside it because the seats are so cozy!... I had a 2007 scion tc (lease) and I was thinking of reduce my expenses so I leased this corrolla, so far (almost a month) I have no complains.

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  A Great Choice!! - 2006 Toyota 4Runner
  By Vinny Turner - October 26 - 3:40 pm

  After driving this for three weeks, Im am soooo happy that I purchased this vehicle. Smooth and comfortable ride for an SUV. The V6 provides plenty of power and the gas mileage is better than I expected. Plenty of leg room for both the front and back seats (Im 65"), though the headroom could be a tiny bit higher. Quiet ride and responsive steering. Easy access to all instrument controls. This is the first imported car Ive ever owned and I should have gone import many years sooner. My 2000 Ford Explorer was a headache from day one! Other than buying a Corvette in the future, Ill never buy American again. Toyota will have a customer for life!

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  Great around town, so-so on the road - 2002 Toyota Echo
  By PetRock235 - October 26 - 2:03 am

  Economical car, 30mpg avg, easily fits in tight parking spaces, pretty good around town. The ride is a little bumpy, and its noisy at highway speed. Acceleration is OK for on ramps but a little underpowered for climbing hills.

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  Very Happy - So Far ! - 2009 Toyota Camry
  By John M - October 25 - 8:56 pm

  I returned my G35X after the lease expired. For a lot less money I got a very good car. The V6 is quite powerful. The cabin is quiet. The MPG is better than the G 35X. Fit and finish are also very good. The fact that the car was built in the USA is an extra bonus.

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  Best Truck Ive ever owned - 2005 Toyota Tacoma
  By KC - October 25 - 6:03 pm

  I purchased my truck as a demo model in 2006. It has been flawless. I have always owned domestic trucks in the past, mostly Fords. The build quality of the domestics pale in comparison to my Tacoma. I have 45,000 miles and every panel is as tight as the day I bought it. No squeaks, rattles, or faulty interior pieces. I absolutely love my truck, and cant imagine parting with it, unless I was replacing it with a new Tacoma.

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  Very versatile vehicle - 2010 Toyota Matrix
  By Special Ed - October 25 - 5:16 pm

  Have driven over 2500 miles, and averaged between 29-32 mpg. Relatively quiet ride under 70 mph. Very roomy interior with comfortable front and rear seats with good visibility. Easy for older people to enter both the front and rear seating area. Plenty of cargo space and with the rear seats folded flat to the floor, will accommodate large objects. The basic 1.8 engine has enough power up hills and passing on highways along with better fuel economy.

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  Thoroughly Impressed - 2006 Toyota Camry Solara
  By Adavis - October 25 - 1:43 am

  I wasnt even looking for a Toyota because I alreadly had an 06 Camry Sedan, but when I saw the Solara on the lot and then got inside I was floored. Everything else I was looking at was running at or above 30k. This car is incredible and it was under 25k. I love it. Buttery soft leather, sunroof, 6 disc CD changer in the dash, top quality stereo system, velvety smooth ride (its like it talks to the road),and a huge trunk! I should have known Id eventually end up with a Toyota. This is my 3rd in 6 years. Can beat the quality for the money!

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  2008 Sequoia - 2008 Toyota Sequoia
  By snugabug - October 24 - 8:20 pm

  We absolutely love our new Sequoia! We had a 2005 4Runner that was fine, but we now have 2 1/2 year old twins along with a 65 pound lab and definitely wanted more space everywhere within a new vehicle. My husband and I are truly die-hard Toyota fans, and were waiting for the new Sequoias to arrive. We are extremely pleased with the way it rides, the comfort of all the seats and were really impressed with how easy it was to actually drive. We both thought it may, for the lack of a better description, "float" as you drove it. However, it is very easy and fun to drive. It provides tons of space and just enough gadgets to keep everyone happy.

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  Its a Toyota - 2007 Toyota Corolla
  By don - October 24 - 11:23 am

  We bought this car for our daughter to learn on and for us to use later at a retirement home in Arizona. Wanted something dependable, safe and easy. Good price but not especially sporty. Our daughter thought it was "cute" and loves it. We love the gas mileage at 38 hwy on first tank.