Try our newest merchandise
I rock a Toyota Corolla as my day by day commuter — we’re at about 150K so it’s nonetheless a child. I point out this to say that I’ve numerous hands-on expertise with certainly one of Toyota’s hottest commuter four-door sedans. Fairly cool flex, huh? The factor is, Toyota isn’t just about dependable dailies anymore.
Should you really trouble to look previous their base-model, soul-crushing day by day drivers, you’ll uncover a secret. Toyota, the identical firm that makes your grandma’s grocery-getter, has quietly (and generally not so quietly) constructed some significantly thrilling, smile-inducing, and infrequently completely bonkers automobiles through the years. They’ve acquired extra layers than a wonderfully tuned carburetor.
The 13 Toyota fashions listed below are removed from boring, proving that the carmaker is greater than its secure picks. Since their conception, they’ve been placing authentic smiles on our faces — and we need to present some like to their progress and modifications all through every era. We’re speaking mid-engined sports activities automobiles, rally homologation specials that might make a WRC driver blush, wonderful grand tourers that eat miles for breakfast, and heavy-duty off-roaders that giggle within the face of impassable terrain. Get able to have your preconceived notions about Toyota completely shattered.
How We Went Past the Primary
Toyota’s historical past is filled with shocking gems. Whereas they constructed their empire on bomb-proof sedans and SUVs, they’ve constantly thrown wrenches into the “boring automobile” stereotype by unleashing machines that begged to be pushed laborious. To rejoice these automobiles, we weren’t actually taking a look at particular numbers, we simply wished autos which can be purely enjoyable to drive.
Boards, remark sections, buddy teams, we’re taking everybody’s opinion into consideration right here. However let’s be actual, all of us have completely different concepts of “enjoyable” and “pleasure.” I’m going to share my very own definition with these 13 examples — some I’ve pushed and a few I dream of driving. Let me know should you agree or if there are different Toyotas which have made you smile nonstop.
Toyota 86 / Scion FR-S
Should you’ve ever dreamt of perfecting your drift expertise with out instantly wrapping your automobile round a lamppost, the Toyota GT86 (and its siblings, the Scion FR-S and even the Subaru BRZ) is your religious information. These are the modern-day successors to the legendary AE86 Corolla, the automobile that principally invented drifting for the plenty.
Toyota launched the first-gen in 2012 as an entry-level sports activities automobile, a clean canvas for sideways shenanigans. Positive, its 2.0-liter boxer engine solely had 200 horsepower, which some web trolls would roast for being “sluggish.” However guess what? It was tons of enjoyable to drive as a result of it was gentle, balanced, and completely keen to wag its tail. Horsepower isn’t every little thing whenever you’re busy counter-steering.
Then, in 2021, the second era rolled out, the Scion was gone, so Toyota now bought it completely because the GR86. The engine grew to 2.4 liters and 230 hp, lastly giving it that further kick. Plus, they began shedding weight with aluminum hoods, roofs, and entrance fenders to decrease the middle of gravity. It’s nonetheless not a drag racer, but it surely’s a elegant dealing with machine that begs you to seek out the boundaries of adhesion.
Should you can’t have enjoyable in certainly one of these, you may must test your pulse.
Toyota Supra
The identify Supra alone makes sure automobile guys’ eyes glaze over and begin reciting 2JZ details. Initially, it was only a fancy trim stage of the Celica. However within the Nineteen Eighties, the Supra turned a standalone mannequin, and the automotive world is undeniably a greater, louder, and extra mod-friendly place due to it. The boxy Mk3 Supra from the ’80s is the place Toyota launched the now legendary turbocharged lineage.
Then got here the Mk4 Supra. Neglect simply “fascinating”; it’s an icon, a tuner’s naughty dream, a automobile that wants no introduction because of popular culture and the sheer brute power of its 2JZ-GTE engine (famously underrated from the manufacturing unit 320 hp). Whereas the newest Mk5 may technically be based mostly on a BMW platform (don’t even get us began on that argument), it’s nonetheless a implausible sports activities automobile in its personal proper, providing fashionable efficiency and dealing with that might disgrace many full-on exotics.
Like it or hate its origins, the Supra identify nonetheless means enterprise.
Toyota GR Yaris
Toyota has constructed some enjoyable hatchbacks and a few legendary rally homologation specials. Within the case of the GR Yaris, they didn’t simply mix the 2; they principally took a Yaris, gave it a health club membership, a steroid routine, and taught it how one can swear in a number of languages. This factor is a complete riot.
Exterior-wise, the GR model is ridiculously wider than a base Yaris and, crucially, has solely three doorways, not 5 — as a result of race automobile, clearly. Underneath the hood, we discover a turbocharged 1.6-liter three-cylinder engine that produces a mind-bending 270 hp. And each single a kind of ponies is shipped to all 4 wheels through a correct 6-speed handbook transmission. This isn’t only a sizzling hatch; it’s a homologation particular for the street, a rally automobile in disguise.
Should you don’t immediately need one after watching it hoon round a observe, you’re both mendacity otherwise you drive a minivan. Disgrace it’s not accessible within the US, however don’t fear, we’ll get to our model… Till then, we are able to watch rally races and simply think about.
Toyota MR2
Within the Nineteen Eighties, Toyota did one thing genuinely revolutionary: they created the MR2, a enjoyable, reasonably priced, and surprisingly frugal mid-engined sports activities automobile. It was like they determined to present everybody an opportunity to really feel like a System 1 driver, with out the million-dollar price range or the crash helmet made from unobtanium. First-generation automobiles have been powered by both a naturally aspirated or supercharged 1.6-liter engine, producing between 112 and 145 hp. These have been razor-sharp, go-kart-like machines.
When the second era (typically known as the “Ferrari-killer” by its homeowners, a lot to Ferrari homeowners’ amusement) rolled off the meeting line, it had a rounder, extra unique physique, and the engine was now a 2.0-liter unit, with top-spec variations fitted with a turbocharger (hi there, 200+ hp and snap oversteer!). The third era was solely accessible as a convertible and had a smaller 1.8-liter engine, but it surely’s virtually a poor man’s Lotus Elise — gentle, nimble, and pure driving pleasure.
It doesn’t matter which MR2 you purchase; they’re all nice enjoyable in their very own distinctive, generally terrifying, method. Simply keep in mind, mid-engine means don’t carry off within the corners except you want going through the flawed method.
Toyota Celica
The Toyota Celica has extra lives than a cat on a sizzling tin roof, lasting for seven generations from 1970 till its discontinuation in 2006. Early fashions appeared like scaled-down American muscle automobiles, providing that basic long-hood, short-deck profile. Their wonderful dealing with and surprisingly frugal engines greater than made up for his or her relative “lack of energy” in comparison with their V8-breathing cousins throughout the pond.
However the Celica’s true calling got here within the mid-Nineteen Eighties when Toyota launched the Celica GT-4 (or All-Trac Turbo within the States). This was a collection of rally homologation specials that includes turbocharged engines and wonderful AWD. These have been the automobiles that took Toyota to a number of World Rally Championship titles, proving that somewhat Japanese coupe may completely humble the European elite.
Neglect your bland Celica; the GT-4 was a mud-slinging, gravel-spitting beast that earned its stripes.
Toyota Hilux
Alright, High Gear followers, you already know the deal. The Toyota Hilux is a worldwide icon of indestructibility. Jeremy Clarkson actually did every little thing he may to kill one — dropped it from a crane, set it on hearth, sank it within the ocean, put it on prime of a demolishing constructing — and with just some primary repairs, it all the time fired up. No surprise they determined to make use of the Hilux for his or her expeditions to the North Pole and even an energetic volcano. It’s principally a post-apocalyptic escape pod.
In addition to being probably the most dependable autos ever made, the Hilux can also be completely up for any off-road journey you’ll be able to throw at it. Sadly, it’s about as accessible within the States as an sincere politician, however in the remainder of the world, it’s the favored selection for overlanding, UN convoys, and doubtless no matter shadowy organizations must traverse essentially the most inhospitable terrains.
Should you can’t kill it, you may as properly drive it.
Toyota Yaris GRMN
Earlier than the GR Yaris blew everybody’s minds, Toyota’s racing division, Gazoo Racing (GR), quietly cooked up the limited-edition Yaris GRMN. This was their first true efficiency Toyota constructed and bought in Europe beneath the GRMN badge, and solely a mere 400 items have been made. Should you noticed one, you most likely thought it was only a common Yaris with some fancy stickers. You’d be very flawed.
Underneath the hood, this tiny hatchback had a supercharged 1.8-liter Twin VVT-i engine that produced round 210 hp. Take into consideration that: a supercharged Yaris! It was a real sleeper, able to shock unsuspecting sizzling hatch homeowners. It proved that Toyota was severe about efficiency, even when they began small and saved it a little bit of a secret. It’s the type of automobile that’s so uncommon, most individuals wouldn’t even know what simply smoked them on the gentle.
Toyota Corolla AE86
After all, we needed to embrace the legendary AE86 Toyota Corolla. Generally known as the “Hachi Roku” (Japanese for “eight-six”), it’s not only a automobile; it’s one of many Nineteen Eighties machines that completely outline JDM tradition. Because of its starring function within the anime Preliminary D, its limitless appearances in Gran Turismo, and being Drift King Keiichi Tsuchiya’s weapon of selection for perfecting the artwork of sideways driving, AE86 costs have skyrocketed quicker than a turbo spooling up.
The Hachi Roku boasts a light-weight building, a basic front-engine, rear-drive structure, and an ideal 50/50 weight distribution. Its 4A-GE 1.6-liter twin-cam engine was by no means highly effective in inventory kind (round 112-130 hp), but it surely nonetheless made it a real momentum automobile for driving lovers. It taught you how one can drive, how one can carry velocity, and how one can slide with precision.
Should you can deal with an AE86, you’ll be able to deal with something. It’s not about brute power; it’s about finesse, and an entire lot of tire smoke.
Toyota GR Corolla
Toyota heard our cries, our pleas, our indignant tweets relating to the US’s lack of a GR Yaris and the corporate, endlessly dependable, delivered: the GR Corolla. And let me let you know, it’s virtually nearly as good as its smaller, forbidden fruit sibling, and arguably much more sensible. Aside from the vaguely related exterior, the GR mannequin is nothing like the usual Corolla, which generally will get roasted for being a bland equipment. I really like my Corolla however after all I’d change to certainly one of these in a second’s discover.
Underneath the hood, it has the identical ridiculously potent three-cylinder 1.6-liter engine because the GR Yaris, however tuned as much as a wonderful 300 hp! And sure, the GR Corolla sends each single a kind of horses to all 4 wheels through a correct, partaking handbook transmission. It truly is a automobile that may do all of it. The GR Corolla is comfy sufficient to deal with all of your day by day driving wants (like choosing up Chinese language takeout) but able to lightning-fast lap occasions straight from the showroom flooring. It’s a riot on wheels.
Toyota Tacoma X-Runner
Again in 2005, Toyota did one thing surprising: they made a high-performance, street-focused model of the second-gen Tacoma, generally known as the X-Runner. This wasn’t your lifted, mud-slinging off-roader; this was a sport truck constructed to carve corners and shock muscle automobiles on the gentle.
Its 4.6-liter V6 engine produced a decent 236 horsepower in inventory kind, however with the accessible TRD supercharger equipment, it churned out a whopping 300 horses! That energy was despatched to the street via a six-speed short-throw handbook transmission and a correct limited-slip differential. It additionally acquired varied different enhancements to enhance dealing with, comparable to upgraded suspension, a stiffer chassis, and grippy 18-inch wheels.
The X-Runner was a very distinctive truck, a pavement pounder that proved Toyota may construct one thing quick and enjoyable even with a mattress. It’s the truck equal of a well-behaved pit bull that secretly is aware of Krav Maga.
Tacoma TRD Professional
Whereas the X-Runner was for the road, the Tacoma TRD Professional is for many who imagine one of the best roads are not any roads in any respect. Toyota has given its newest Tacoma a severe, high-performance overhaul with out sacrificing its on a regular basis usability. It’s constructed to go up towards off-road-focused vans just like the Chevy Colorado ZR2 and is obtainable with a 278 hp 3.5-liter V6 engine (and now a brand new hybrid powertrain within the newest era!).
It comes loaded with severe off-road goodies: fats, gnarly tires wrapped round 16-inch TRD Professional wheels, a beefy TRD skid plate to guard its underbelly, Fox suspension (now with extra journey), and loads of different options that’ll hold you shifting when venturing far off the overwhelmed path. This isn’t only a truck with a carry equipment; it’s a meticulously engineered off-road beast, able to deal with something you’ll be able to throw at it.
Your buddy’s lifted F-150 may look robust, however the TRD Professional can really do issues.
4Runner TRD Professional
Those that love the rugged capabilities of the Tacoma TRD Professional however want an SUV, not a pickup truck, might be joyful to know that the Toyota 4Runner TRD Professional is precisely what they’re searching for. That is the SUV that claims, “Sure, we are able to convey the entire household, and sure, we’ll climb that mountain safely.”
The 4Runner has earned its status as an old-school, analog off-road SUV, largely as a result of it’s been constructed on an getting older, however extremely sturdy, platform for what looks like endlessly. However it’s additionally been up to date with all the trendy tech you want, providing one of the best of each worlds: unkillable reliability and fashionable creature comforts. It’s principally a tank that comes with cup holders.
Toyota FJ Cruiser
When Toyota stopped making the legendary FJ40 Land Cruiser in 1984, somewhat piece of our off-roading souls died. However then, in 2006, they introduced again the spirit with the retro-styled FJ Cruiser, which was closely impressed by its iconic ancestor. It has many superior throwback design cues, together with the daring “TOYOTA” spelled out throughout the grille, the quirky grille-headlight association, and that near-vertical windshield with triple wipers (that are nonetheless tremendous cool).
However there’s extra to the Toyota FJ Cruiser than simply fancy retro styling. Beneath, it makes use of the 1GR-FE V6, probably the most dependable Toyota engines ever to grace a chassis. And it’s not only a fairly face; this factor can genuinely deal with steep method and departure angles, and wade via 30 inches of water with out breaking a sweat (or a gasket). It’s a correct off-roader wrapped in a singular, head-turning package deal.
It’s proof that generally, wanting backward is the easiest way to maneuver ahead.
When Toyota Will get It Proper
Toyota’s acquired a deep bench of autos that show they’re not nearly boring commuting. From tire-shredding sports activities automobiles to mountain-climbing beasts, they’ve repeatedly constructed machines that stir one thing within the soul of any true automobile fanatic. These are the Toyotas that ship an expertise, a way of life, and a real promise of excellent occasions simply across the subsequent nook. They show that “dependable” doesn’t must imply “repressed.”
So, whether or not you’re a lifelong Toyota loyalist or simply now admitting {that a} beige Camry isn’t your solely choice, there’s a Toyota on this listing that’ll name your identify. Which of those autos would provide the journey you’re craving?
