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Toyota was met with open arms with the launch of the Toyoda Model AA passenger car on its native soil in Japan in 1936. Two decades later, that success was quickly overshadowed when Toyota made its way to California and debuted the Toyopet, an underpowered and overpriced sedan that failed to impress American drivers. This failure led Toyota back to the drawing board, and ultimately, led to many of the best-selling models you’ll find on our lot at Romeoville Toyota, your premier Toyota SUV dealer.
Toyota’s early years in America might be marked with failure, but the automaker quickly turned things around with the Land Cruiser, which set the benchmark for a capable and reliable SUV. The Land Cruiser’s success, along with that of sedans like the Corona and Corolla, made Toyota the top import brand in the United States by the 1970s. This success inspired even more innovation from the automaker, and American drivers have reaped the benefits ever since with stunning, efficient, and capable SUVs like the RAV4, Highlander, Venza, 4Runner, and Sequoia.
These SUVs are among the most reliable on American roads today and reflect Toyota’s ongoing dedication to delivering exceptional capability, versatility, and cutting-edge technology in every aspect of its lineup. If Toyota’s SUV lineup catches your eye, then it’s time to visit the team at Romeoville Toyota. Until then, here’s everything you need to know about Toyota’s SUVs.
The Land Cruiser set Toyota’s trajectory as an international leader in the automotive industry. Born of necessity, the Land Cruiser was originally known as the Jeep BJ and was developed when the United States, which occupied Japan in the early 1950s, encouraged Toyota to design a military truck to serve the war effort. The Jeep BJ was born, but its name earned Toyota a slap on the wrist from Jeep for infringing upon the Jeep name. Toyota responded by renaming the vehicle the Land Cruiser.
The Land Cruiser eventually made its way to American roads in the late 1950s and ultimately set the standard for the Toyota brand. The SUV delivered exceptional power and handling with its standard four-wheel drive that made it extremely capable both on and off the pavement. To prove as much, the Land Cruiser made history when it climbed to the sixth checkpoint of Mount Fuji, the first vehicle to accomplish such a feat.
Essentially, the Land Cruiser marked the debut of Toyota’s success in America, as well as its ability to deliver exceptional SUVs known for their longevity, reliability, and versatility. This is a trifecta rarely found in SUVs today, and that makes Toyota’s lineup even better. We see all these traits in past and present models, whether you’re looking at a longstanding favorite like the RAV4 or at more modern models like the Corolla Cross that’s inspired by Toyota’s best-selling sedan.
The millennial of the Toyota fleet, the “Recreational Active Vehicle with 4WD,” made its debut in 1989 as a concept car that combined the comforts of a sedan with the capability of an SUV. The RAV4 officially made its debut in America in 1996 and was instantly embraced for its uniqueness and versatility. Fast forward several generations, and the RAV4 is one of the most influential crossovers ever made and Toyota’s top-seller in America.
If the RAV4 is the millennial of the Toyota fleet, then the Corolla Cross is part of Generation Alpha. The Cross continues the legacy of the Corolla sedan with a modern twist. The crossover builds on the dependability, efficiency, and safety of the Corolla but extends its capability with front-wheel or all-wheel drive and more powerful engines. For Toyota, the Cross is the crossover you never knew you needed until now.
The Coupe High-Rider made its debut in 2018 as a sporty, stylish, and sleek subcompact crossover. It instantly caught the world’s attention thanks to its unique marketing campaign that put a modern spin on classic fairy tales like Cinderella and Rapunzel. The campaign slated the CH-R as an SUV for creatives with a mischievous side. Since then, the CH-R has been widely successful in the European market.
The Highlander debuted in 2000 as the 4Runner’s more comfortable and sophisticated sibling that offered a spacious interior and light off-road capability. Since its debut, the Highlander has dramatically morphed into a larger SUV that delivers more power and capability along with better handling and an exceptional ride. These characteristics made it Toyota’s best-selling SUV until 2006, when it was surpassed by the RAV4. Even so, the Highlander remains a staple in the Toyota fleet and a popular option for families and active individuals looking for an elegant and capable SUV.
Making its debut in 2009, the Venza is a five-door SUV that was in production until 2015 and took a brief hiatus before its return in 2021. The early Venza was available in one trim that you could customize with various packages and options like automatic headlights and leather seating. The Venza’s return in 2021 includes a multi-trim lineup, each of which delivers exceptional efficiency and loads of technology.
The purist in the Toyota fleet, the 4Runner is everything an SUV should be and shies away from the crossover moniker. Built to run long after the pavement ends, the 4Runner was first introduced in 1984 and has continued to impress drivers with its exceptional prowess both on and off the road. As a result, the 4Runner has attracted drivers of all ages and interests, from families to off-road enthusiasts who know that Toyota’s best-selling SUV will consistently perform wherever the road or trail leads.
Based on the Tundra pickup truck, the Sequoia is Toyota’s full-size SUV that was introduced in 2001. The first-generation Sequoia was produced until 2007, when the 2008 Sequoia ushered in the second generation. The Sequoia, which is still in its second generation, has enjoyed several refreshes over the years, as well as updates to the powertrain, performance, and technology suite that usher it into the modern era.
Romeoville Toyota is proud to be your Toyota SUV dealer, a role that our team takes to heart. You’ll discover that shopping with us isn’t like shopping with other dealerships where you’ll spend countless hours haggling over prices only to drive home unhappy with the price you paid and your experience. This isn’t how we do business, and it’s why thousands of customers choose us for all their vehicle needs.
Our dealership is founded on the principles of honesty and integrity. We believe in transparency not only in our business practices but also in our prices, which means the price you see is the lowest and most competitive rate in the area. We do this so that you don’t have to shop around at other dealerships for a great deal. You know that you’re always getting the best price and the best value Toyota right here on our lot.
While our transparent pricing is a great selling point, our unmatched selection of new and pre-owned models is another great perk of shopping with us. We know that our customers have a variety of needs in terms of budget, size, and capability. To satisfy these needs and give you the best choices available, we take great care in selecting our inventory so that the Toyota or pre-owned vehicle that best suits your needs is right here on the lot. That’s just another way we’re here to make the car-buying process more convenient for you.
We frequently ask ourselves how we can better serve our customers, and that's led to a new and intuitive website that’s home to our virtual showroom. It’s also led to our Express Store, which takes the entire car-buying process online. That’s right; you never have to leave the comfort of your home when you shop at Romeoville's Express Store.
Shopping from our Express Store is easy and starts by browsing our inventory or building the Toyota of your dreams. During this process, a personal concierge is available to answer your questions and guide you through the process as needed. Once you find or build the perfect Toyota, you’ll then unlock the price of the model. This step shows you our transparent pricing, gives you the option to value your trade-in and presents the best lease or finance terms.
We’ll send you a detailed sheet of your options that outlines everything from the model to your finance, lease, and cash options. In the next step, we’ll focus on your trade-in as you submit all the required information for us to value your vehicle. You’ll have a firm offer in three business hours, and we’ll update the purchase details for you to review. What’s even better is that the offer is good even if you decide not to purchase a vehicle from us!
The last two steps finalize the process. You’ll complete the credit application and upload the required documents, all of which are needed to complete the final purchase. Once we receive the documents, we’ll send over a final deal sheet that reflects your approved credit or finance terms. You’ll review and accept the sheet before scheduling delivery to your home or office, at which time we’ll collect your trade-in and have you sign the final papers. It’s that easy!
We believe that our customers deserve to drive newer Toyotas without being financially overwhelmed. That’s the inspiration behind our Vehicle Upgrade Program, which allows you to replace your current vehicle with a newer Toyota without increasing your monthly payments. We’ll offer you above market value on your current vehicle, which means you’ll get behind the wheel of a newer vehicle for the same or lower monthly payment. In turn, you’ll enjoy a suite of new technology and convenience features, better fuel economy, and ongoing warranty coverage that saves you even more money long term.
Which Toyota SUV is your favorite? Are you enamored by the Corolla Cross and the CH-R, or are you a fan of proven SUVs like the 4Runner? Whatever you choose, the team here at Romeoville Toyota is excited to help you get behind the wheel of the best Toyota SUV for your needs.
Making Romeoville Toyota your dealer of choice is the best decision you can make for your future on the road. We believe in transparency, honesty, and teamwork, all of which you’ll experience the moment you visit our dealership. Our team will walk you through our extensive inventory and explain how our upfront pricing gets you the best deal in town. From there, we’ll ride along for test drives and answer all your questions as we help you navigate the buying process.
What’s truly remarkable is that our work isn’t done when you drive off the lot in your new Toyota. We’re only just getting started and are here for all your transportation needs for many years to come. Our certified service technicians will oversee all your routine maintenance and repairs, while our sales team will always be ready to help you find your next Toyota.
