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Discontinued: 2002
The Toyota Supra (1978-2002) evolved from a Celica variant into a standalone sports car icon.
It was best known for its peak with the fourth-generation’s 320-horsepower twin-turbo engine.
Remarkably, in 1994, a stock Supra outperformed a Ferrari 355 at Willow Springs Raceway—challenging European supercars at a fraction of the cost.
Discontinued: 1970
The Toyota 2000GT (1967-1970) was Japan’s first genuine supercar. Designed in collaboration with Yamaha, it was produced in a limited run of just 351 units.
It offered a sleek, low-slung body, front mid-engine layout, and an impressive 150 hp straight-six engine.
While its $6,800 price tag (equivalent to over $60,000 today) made it Toyota’s most expensive model, its most remarkable distinction came when it appeared in the 1967 James Bond film “You Only Live Twice.” In filming the movie, Toyota had to create a special one-off convertible version because actor Sean Connery, at 6’2”, couldn’t fit comfortably in the cockpit.
Discontinued: 2014
The much-missed Toyota FJ Cruiser (2006-2014) was a retro-styled SUV designed as a modern homage to the classic FJ40 Land Cruiser.
The car featured round headlights, white roof options, and rugged off-road capabilities.
It was launched at the 2003 North American International Auto Show as a concept vehicle.
Soon after its official launch, the model gained a cult following among off-road enthusiasts. The adored its 4.0-liter V6 engine, body-on-frame construction, and impressive ground clearance.
Despite its popularity, Toyota discontinued the model due to declining sales, though it maintained production in select markets until 2022.
After its discontinuation, many FJ Cruisers actually appreciated in value on the used car market—with some late-models selling for more than their original sticker price.
Discontinued: 2006
The Toyota Celica (1970-2006) went through seven generations as a stylish, performance-oriented coupe that captured the hearts of motor enthusiasts worldwide.
In 1990, a Celica GT-Four driven by Carlos Sainz won the World Rally Championship, making it a motorsports legend overnight.
Discontinued: 1997
The Toyota Previa (1990-1997) was a minivan with a unique mid-engine layout tucked beneath the front seats. Despite its compact exterior dimensions, the design provided exceptional balance and interior space.
The minivan was Toyota’s answer to the popular Dodge Caravan, but with engineering that defied convention—including the “supercharged” option introduced in 1994 to boost its modest power output.
The Previa was also prized for its “ice maker” refrigeration system option in Japanese models, which could produce ice cubes while driving, making it the perfect option for an outing to the beach.
Discontinued: 1992
As Toyota’s flagship luxury sedan before Lexus, The Toyota Cressida (1976-1992) bridged the gap between mainstream models and premium vehicles.
It was a rear-wheel-drive sedan featuring inline-six engines shared with the Supra, which made it surprisingly popular among drift enthusiasts. Motorists appreciated its sturdy construction and tunable performance.
Discontinued: 2005
The Toyota Echo (1999-2005) was a super compact economy car that was a mix of the discontinued Tercel and the later Yaris models.
Known for its distinctive egg-shaped design and center-mounted instrument cluster, the Echo achieved an impressive fuel economy of up to 40 MPG on highways during an era of rising gas prices.
Despite its practical attributes, the Echo baffled consumers because of its unconventional styling and unusually tall, narrow proportions.
The car also had an interesting dashboard design that forced drivers to glance sideways to check their speed—an ergonomic quirk to Toyota’s experimental approach.
The Yaris later replaced the Echo.
Discontinued: 2001
Produced from 1957 to 2001, the Toyota Corona,served as Toyota’s reliable midsize family sedan that helped establish the company’s global reputation for dependability.
First designed for the Japanese market, it became one of Toyota’s first successful export models, particularly in the United States, where it preceded the now-ubiquitous Camry.
The Corona evolved through eleven generations, transitioning from a compact rear-wheel drive to a more spacious front-wheel-drive configuration in later years.
In the mid-1960s, Toyota promoted the Corona’s durability by having a driver continuously operate the car for 100,000 miles across harsh Australian Outback terrain. It completed the journey in just 72 days without a single mechanical failure—a feat that required the driver to sleep in brief shifts while the car continued moving nearly 24 hours daily.
Discontinued: 2007
Toyota’s first mid-engine production car, The Toyota MR2 (1984-2007).
The sports car offered thrills for three generations of speed lovers.
The car was loved for its balanced handling and affordable price.
It was also an engineering marvel due to its unusual transverse engine mounting—a design choice that enabled exceptional agility.\
Discontinued: 2005
The Toyota Soarer (1981-2005) was a luxury coupe that was Toyota’s flagship grand tourer.
It went through four generations before being marketed internationally as the Lexus SC.
The Soarer pioneered advanced technology in the Japanese market, featuring electronic air suspension, digital dash displays, and complex engine options, including twin-turbocharged inline-sixes.
However, its most surprising innovation came in the 1991 Z30 model, which included one of the world’s first automotive touchscreen systems—a color CRT display that controlled climate, audio, and vehicle diagnostics. This was almost a decade before other luxury vehicles had similar features.
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