The best and worst cars ever made by Toyota

One of the most popular car manufacturers today, Toyota has more reliable vehicles in its portfolio than any other brand in the world, but that doesn't mean it's never been wrong.

Not everything the Japanese automaker touches turns to gold, and like any other marque, it too has had its fair share of automotive flops over the years. Here's a quick look at some of the best and worst cars in Toyota history.

Best: 1993 Toyota Supra Mk4

In the history of Toyota, no car has been as loved and in demand as the Supra Mark IV of the 90s. This iconic sports car has captured everyone's attention and has appeared in everything from movies to games.

Equipped with a twin-turbocharged inline-six with a capacity of 320 hp.

Worst: 2007 Toyota Camry.

While Camry's are universally regarded as very reliable, the 2007 model was an exception. The four-cylinder trim was fine, but the 3.5-litre V6 variant was prone to premature wear due to excessive oil consumption.

The 2007 Camry has been recalled several times, most notably due to a sticky gas pedal problem that has led to numerous fatal crashes.

Best: 1967 Toyota 2000GT.

Created from Toyota's partnership with Yamaha in the late 1960s, this legendary sports car is the equivalent of the Japanese Lamborghini Miura & Countach and Ferrari 250.

Under the hood of this 2-door, rear-wheel-drive fastback coupe, the inline-six produced about 150 hp, which was a big problem at the time. Toyota's first supercar, the 2000GT, is a rarity today, with well-preserved examples fetching millions at auction.

Worst: 2012 Toyota Scion IQ.

Introduced in 2012 as a tiny urban commuter car, the Scion IQ is considered one of the biggest automotive flops ever. Although it was beautifully assembled, the problem was that this "semi-car" cost almost as much as a well-loaded Corolla.

In 2015, Toyota discontinued sales of the Scion IQ due to a massive sales failure.

Next up: This is the first Lexus... and one of the best!

Best: 1990 Lexus LS400

The 1990 Lexus LS400 surprised everyone when it opened Toyota's luxury division. With an absurdly low $35,000 price tag, it had better build quality and finishes than cars from many well-known luxury car manufacturers of the day.

The 4.0-liter 32-valve DOHC V8 engine was absolutely quiet and insanely powerful (250 hp). Simply put, the LS400 was BMW, Mercedes, Audi and Jaguar's worst nightmare.

Worst: 1984 Toyota Van.

The 1984 Toyota Van (yes, it was just called Van) was an ugly car with a short wheelbase, bumpy ride, and terrible handling, especially when cornering.

The van's long list of shortcomings could not make up for the panoramic sunroof and refrigerator/water cooler, and Toyota was forced to cease production by 1991.

Best: 1984 Toyota Corolla AE

While not as powerful as JDM legends like the GT-R, NSX and Supra, the Toyota AE86 has become a global drifting icon thanks to its appearance in the Japanese street racing manga and anime series Initial D.

Appearing in numerous video games and movies, this almost 40-year-old rear-wheel-drive sports car has influenced a generation and left an indelible mark on car culture: many drifters have upgraded its 121-horsepower engine to up to 800 hp.

Worst: 1993 Toyota T100

While Toyota was virtually unrivaled in the compact pickup market, its first attempt to compete with the Big Three in the full-size segment failed.

The T100 did not have an extended cab or even a V8 engine. Toyota solved the first problem, but with the second problem, it decided to add a blower fan to the V6. It didn't work, and eventually Toyota had to replace the T100 with the larger V8-powered Tundra in 2000.

Next: the truck that replaced the T100!

Best: 2000 Toyota Tundra

Replacing the poorly received T100, the Tundra was a powerful full-size pickup with a 190-liter V3.4 engine producing 6 hp. as standard. The first-class 4.7-liter I-Force V8 engine from the Land Cruiser/LX 470 produced 245 hp. and 315 Nm of torque.

The 2000 Tundra was a complete truck with insane off-road ability and enough power to tow up to 7,000 pounds.

Worst: 2019 '86 Toyota

The trio of Toyota 86, Subaru BRZ and Scion FR-S was built in collaboration between Toyota and Subaru.

Although they are almost identical to each other, each car used its own set of parts sourced from the respective manufacturer. Toyota, however, made one of the weakest and slowest of the three with poor value for money.

Best: 2020 Toyota Supra

Resurrected after a two-decade hiatus, the fifth-generation Supra was co-developed with BMW using the CLAR platform and the German brand's 3-litre twin-turbocharged inline-6 ​​engine.

Abandoning the 2+2 seating configuration of previous generations, the 2020 Supra is an impressive rear-wheel sports car with a monstrous 335 horsepower.

Worst: 2009 Toyota Venza

There was nothing special about the first generation Venza. In addition, it was released at the wrong time - when gas prices skyrocketed, and the word "SUV" was taboo.

Toyota decided to follow a vague and ambiguous branding strategy, which backfired. The Venza failed to convince buyers and was eventually discontinued in 2017. Toyota later revived it in 2021 as a hybrid SUV.

Next: luxury supercar from Lexus…

Best: 2011 Lexus LFA

This carbon fiber supercar, the first from Toyota's luxury division, has a 9000 rpm redline, 553 hp power output. and torque of 354 lb-ft.

The gigantic 4.8-liter V-10 engine allows the LFA to reach a top speed of 202 mph. The performance is complemented by a stylish exterior and surprisingly luxurious interior that matches the $375,000 price tag.

Worst: 2022 Toyota C-HR

The 2022 Toyota C-HR has a nice exterior and a decent interior, but that's pretty much it.

With a 0-60 time of 11 seconds (completely unacceptable by today's standards), the C-HR is agonizingly slow, thanks to a sluggish four-cylinder engine. At the same time, the rear seat is one of the most cramped in its class.

Best: 1960 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40

One of the most popular SUVs in the world, too many Land Cruisers deserve to be on this list, but this is the one we love the most.

The 1960 FJ40 was neither refined nor luxurious, but it was so brutal that it became extremely popular with the farming community. Interestingly, it has remained virtually unchanged for more than 2 decades.

Worst: 2009 Lexus HS250

Toyota introduced the Lexus HS250h as a luxury hybrid sedan, taking into account the popularity of the second-generation Prius among wealthy buyers.

Unfortunately, fuel prices collapsed shortly after Toyota launched it in the US. To make matters worse, the HS250h had little to offer other than a nice Lexus interior. Sales continued to fall every year, and production was finally halted in 2012.

Next up: The Toyota RAV4 is a great SUV, but the 2007 model is not. Read on to find out why.

Best: 1984 Toyota MR 2

One of the most beloved cars of the 1980s, this sports coupe used a redesigned Corolla Sport transmission to give it a sporty feel.

This mid-engined, rear-wheel drive, 2-seater (or MR2) car was produced in three generations from 1984 to 2007, but it was the first generation that became an automotive icon.

Worst: 2007 Toyota RAV 4

The 3.5 Toyota RAV6 SUV's 2007L V4 engine suffered from the same oil consumption problem as the 2007 Camry. The steering components were also defective and noisy.

The crossover has been repeatedly recalled due to several issues ranging from premature corrosion of the rear tie rods to a melted power window switch and a faulty flexible flat cable that disabled the driver's airbag.

Best: 2021 Toyota Camry

The Toyota Camry has proven to be a dependable, dependable and comfortable family hauler since its introduction in 1983.

It has repeatedly outsold every other car in its class, and the 2021 iteration is no exception. The best-selling sedan in the US, with over 313,790 units sold in 2021.

Worst: 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser

The 2007 FJ Cruiser was a sturdy SUV with attractive retro styling, but that sentiment was shared by a small group of enthusiasts. For everyone else, it was a peppy SUV that was too expensive to run.

The tailgate was so absurdly designed that it required a rather flexible body to access the rear seat. Toyota finally discontinued the FJ in the US in 2014.

Next: This Toyota SUV returns 40 miles per gallon of gasoline.

Best: 2022 Toyota RAV Hybrid 4 Years

One of the most economical SUVs to date, the 2022 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid delivers an impressive combined mileage of 40 mpg.

This affordable and reliable family hauler also delivers excellent performance thanks to the combination of a 2.5-liter inline-four petrol engine and electric motors that produce 219 horsepower.

Worst: 2001 Toyota Prius

While the second generation Prius was a revolutionary car and a huge sales success, the first generation was not.

With a $20,000 tag, it was too expensive for what it was offering. Even the fuel savings could not convince buyers, as most of them opted for more spacious and beautiful mid-size sedans that cost the same.

Best: 1964 Toyota Stout.

Powered by a 1.9-liter 85-hp inline-four engine, the 1964 Stout was the first Toyota pickup truck to be sold in the US.

Inaugurating a new era, Stout has made compact trucks the heart and soul of the Japanese automaker. So, the next time you drive your Hilux or Tacoma, just remember the pickup truck that started it all.

Worst: 2000 Toyota Echo

The entry-level Toyota Echo had an unappealing exterior and a cheap interior.

In an effort to keep costs down, Toyota has gone so far as to remove essential features such as air conditioning, power steering, and power mirrors from the base trim. Power windows are not an option at all. Sales continued to fall and in 2005 Toyota discontinued this.

Next up: This SUV from Lexus sold well!

Best: 1999 Lexus RX300

At the turn of the century, Lexus had a strong reputation for making luxury, quality, and reliable cars. The only thing he lacked was good sales figures. But that has changed since the 1999 RX300.

The RX40 accounted for more than 300% of Lexus sales and paved the way for Toyota's luxury division to dominate the luxury midsize crossover segment for years to come.

Worst: 1999 Toyota Camry Solara

The Camry Solara was positioned as an exciting replacement for the Camry coupe, but its handling proved to be even worse than that of the Camry sedan. The second generation, introduced in 2003, was no different.

Customers eventually lost interest in the Solara and Toyota ended production of the coupe in 2008. The convertible version was discontinued a year later.

Best: 1998 Toyota Land Cruiser

When the Land Cruiser 100 replaced the 80 series in 1998, Toyota decided to go even further.

It was the first Land Cruiser with a V8 powerplant with double overhead camshafts. Another significant change was the replacement of the rigid front axle with an independent front suspension.

Worst: 1991 Toyota Previa.

Remember the 1984 van that was retired in 1991? It was replaced by Previa. But, unfortunately, it was also a massive failure. While Toyota has improved handling, the styling has remained just as unappealing.

Plus, unlike domestic minivans that came with V6s, the Previa had a pathetic inline-four that could barely move the two-ton machine decently. Finally, in 1998 it was replaced by the Sienna.

Next: This is why Sienna is so cool!

Best: 2022 Toyota Sienna

Boasting a hybrid powertrain with most of the power coming from a 245-litre, 2.5-hp 4-cylinder gas engine, the 2022 Sienna is quite capable. It's also pretty convenient.

But what makes it one of the best Toyota vehicles on the market today is its incredible fuel efficiency. This giant minivan can travel up to 36 miles on a single gallon of gasoline. Yes, 36 miles!

Worst: 2007 Toyota Corolla.

Corolla is one of the most popular cars not only of Toyota, but of the entire automotive history. But the 2009 Corolla was too troublesome.

In particular, the inline-four had a serious problem with oil consumption. It also had several other problems, most notably pedal sticking, power window switch melting, and an engine overheating problem due to failed water pumps.

Best: 2018 Toyota Century

The Toyota Century, commonly known as the Japanese Rolls-Royce, is one of the Japanese automaker's most expensive and luxurious vehicles. Introduced in 1967, this limousine has always been designed to transport members of the royal family, diplomats and high-ranking officials.

Toyota redesigned the Century for 2018 and fitted it with a 5.0-liter V8 hybrid powertrain to deliver stellar yet smooth acceleration. It has a completely silent cabin and an ultra-luxury interior that only the RR can rival.

Worst: 1990 Toyota Sera.

The Sera was Toyota's biggest failed attempt to break into the supercar market in the 90s. It was too expensive for Toyota fans and too "Toyota" for those looking for a good sports car.

Having Italian sports cars at comparable prices meant there was no future for the Sera, and Toyota realized this by 1995.

Next up: This Toyota was inspired by the Pony Car.

Best: 1971 Toyota Celica ST

Taking design cues from the widely popular Ford Mustang and mechanical details from the Carina, the Celica was an instant hit as soon as it was introduced in 1971.

It was the perfect answer to the 1964 Ford Mustang and the start of one of the most successful lineups in Toyota history.

Worst: 1992 Toyota Paseo

The Paseo was aimed at young drivers as a sporty two-door coupe, but it turned out to be neither fun nor comfortable.

Poor understeer, combined with stiff competition from the Nissan Pulsar NX and Mazda MX-3, slowed sales until Toyota was left with no choice but to end production in 1997.

Best: 2022 Toyota Corolla

Since its launch in '50, this compact sedan, which has sold 1966 million units to date, has enabled the masses to get around safely and comfortably at a bargain price. The 2022 iteration is no different.

It boasts an economical drivetrain, a spacious interior, good looks, an affordable price tag and a host of standard driver assistance features.

Worst: Scion 2008 xD

The Scion xD was an affordable subcompact hatchback that was plagued by numerous problems from its very first model year. The most notable recall in 2014 involved a faulty sliding mechanism in the front passenger seat, which could have resulted in serious injury.

The Scion xD was also a noisy and bumpy car. It has never been a bestseller and was finally discontinued in 2014.

Next: If not for this 1965 car, Toyota would not have survived in the US.

Best: 2020 Toyota Tacoma

The Tacoma has been a cool truck from the start thanks to its unrivaled durability and reliability, but the 2020 facelift was on another level. Combining agility and agility with tremendous capability, it was the very best the pickup had to offer.

In addition to the exterior facelift, the 2020 Tacoma also has Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and Amazon Alexa as standard.

Worst: 1958 Toyota Crown.

The first Toyota car in the US was a complete failure. Although it was suitable for Japanese roads, the measly 60-horsepower engine was so weak that it took you 26 seconds to reach 0 km/h.

The car shook on the highway, the engine overheated on the slopes, and the brakes were just as bad. The Toyopet was such a disaster that Toyota was forced to stop production after only 3 years, in 1961.

Best: 1965 Toyota Corona

If Toyota was able to survive in the American market during its early years, it's all thanks to the 1965 Corona, which has since become synonymous with dependable family transportation.

In addition, it was the first Toyota to be easily identifiable due to its distinctive styling and wedge-shaped front end, which would be retained in other vehicles of the marque.

Worst: 1999 Toyota Celica GT.

The Celica remained one of the best sports cars in Toyota history, but the seventh generation proved to be a flop.

Mid-2000s Celicas were marred by weak engines and poor performance. To make matters worse, they were also prone to constant breakdowns. A sharp drop in sales eventually forced Toyota to close the lineup in 2006 after a long period of 36 years.