Do You Trust Toyota?
Toyota has a reputation as one of the most reliable and long-lasting brands around. However, even they’ve had their failures, and big ones at that! To help you differentiate the good cars from the duds, this list breaks down the worst and best of Toyota. Do you agree with our picks?
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1. 2019 Toyota 86
The 2019 Toyota 86 is a sporty, rear-wheel-drive vehicle that does not provide a particularly true-to-life performance thrill. It was the most unfavored car of the group despite its purpose for handling a challenging street course, not a powerful straightaway route. The 86 was the least-favorite model from the Scion FR-S, Subaru BRZ, and Toyota 86 lineup.
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2. 2012 Toyota Venza
The 2012 Toyota Venza was a failure due to a lack of acceleration, even with the six-cylinder engine. Some owners felt it was more the transmission's fault than the engine, but regardless, the Venza just couldn't keep up with the traffic. Buyers quickly moved to other brands, creating one of Toyota's duds.
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3. 2001 Toyota Camry Solara
The 2001 Toyota Camry Solara was intended to spice up the family Camry line by being a convertible. Unfortunately, the removable top wasn't reinforced well at all, so it flopped all over the place while being driven. Driving over bumps, the loose roof made noise and gave the driver a feeling of insecurity. Solara is one of the greatest flops in Toyota history.
4. 1992 Toyota Paseo
In 1992, Toyota updated the Paseo with a sleek, streamlined design intended to appeal to youth markets. However, the Paseo was no match for sportier imports like the Geo Storm and Nissan Pulsar. The updated car still did not perform as well, and the Paseo faded into oblivion and was discontinued in 1997.
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5. 2015 Toyota Scion xD
The Scion xD was a small, boxy economy car aimed at young buyers that came out in 2015. The vehicle did not fare particularly well because it couldn't find a competitive edge. The xD had a lightweight body and a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine that gave it good acceleration, but it got less than 30 mpg.
6. 2012 Toyota Scion iQ
Toyota's 2012 Scion iQ flopped largely because it was minuscule and impractical. Parking was a headache that came with a tinny echo. The automatic transmission regularly took away power at the worst times.
7. 1991 Toyota Previa
The 1991 Toyota Previa was a minivan with a carlike driving feel. The design let it down because of performance issues. The small four-cylinder engine offered very little power and torque to get it moving. The strange engine positioning also made maintenance awkward. All this added up to the car's general dislike in the American market.
8. 2008 Toyota Yaris
The ultra-low base price couldn't overcome the incredibly low-quality base materials. Optional extras were available but at the cost of rising price and losing the base value advantage. Very brittle and flimsy plastics used throughout the interior made it feel cheap even with optional upgrades.
9. Toyopet Crown
The 1958 Toyopet Crown was Toyota's first attempt at the American market. Performance was a disappointment. A top speed of 40 mph (64 km/h) and 0–60 time of 26 seconds made passing on highways difficult. The slow acceleration and low top speed served well in city streets, but its performance was a commercial failure in the US and Canada.
10. 2001 Toyota Echo
The 2001 Toyota Echo tried to be cheap by trimming production costs. The base model had no power windows, no air conditioning, no power steering, and no power mirrors. The result was that the car felt barebones and old. So the car was a bad value for the money.
Now that we talked about the worst Toyotas around, here are 10 trustworthy ones you can rely on!
1. Toyota Prius
Arguably the best Toyota to buy is the Toyota Prius. After getting a 2023 refresh, the Prius’s styling and stance got much better. With either a standard hybrid or plug-in hybrid powertrain, a 2.0L four-cylinder hybrid engine will propel you forward while getting stellar fuel efficiency.
2. Toyota Grand Highlander
The Toyota Grand Highlander is a larger, more family-oriented model of the Highlander. It has more cargo room and three rows of seating. Three engines are offered, including two hybrids. The most powerful one can make 362 hp and tow up to 5,000 lbs. It's not as capable off-road as the Land Cruiser, but it is well-equipped, spacious, and has a starting price of $40,860.
3. Toyota Camry
The ninth-gen Camry has a luxurious interior, fresh design, and it's one of the most fuel-efficient sedans around, with a maximum combined EPA mpg of 51. The 2.5L four-cylinder hybrid engine, which can power the front wheels or all wheels, is mated to a seamless CVT and offers practical and dependable performance. At up to 232 hp, the AWD version is confident on curvy roads and strides effortlessly in brisk highway traffic.
4. Toyota Land Cruiser
The Toyota Land Cruiser is a capable, off-road SUV. Equipped with a 2.4L turbo hybrid engine, it's not the quickest SUV around, but the drive modes will conquer anything you throw at it. Snow, mud, and rock crawling—the Land Cruiser can handle it all. Together with the 4Runner, the Land Cruiser is Toyota’s answer for hardcore off-roading.
5. Toyota GR Corolla
The Toyota GR Corolla is a sporty variant of the Corolla built for driving enthusiasts. It is equipped with a 1.6L turbo three-cylinder engine making 300 hp sent to all four wheels, combined with a six-speed manual transmission. Based on the company's WRC program, it brings the same high performance as the European GR Yaris to the US.
6. Toyota RAV4
The Toyota RAV4 is a safe, reliable, and stylish SUV. It’s America’s bestselling model of 2024 for good reason. This compact crossover is available with a standard 2.5L four-cylinder engine. Hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains add fuel efficiency and performance.
7. Toyota Corolla Hatchback
The Corolla Hatchback is a no-nonsense small car intended for running around town. The 169-hp 2.0L four-cylinder has a drivetrain optimized for fuel economy and low operating costs, but it's also a smooth, solid performer. It's a very practical car with decent power, sporty looks, and excellent reliability.
8. Toyota Highlander
The Toyota Highlander is a midsize SUV offered with either a 2.4L turbo four-cylinder or 2.5L hybrid powertrain. The hybrid version is rated 35 mpg combined. Prices start at $39,820 for the base model and $46,320 for higher trims with the hybrid powertrain.
9. Toyota GR Supra
The Toyota Supra is a front-engine, rear-drive sports car. It's fast and fun to drive. It is available with a BMW-sourced 3.0L turbocharged six-cylinder, which can be paired with a six-speed manual transmission as an optional upgrade for a three-pedal driving experience. It is often lauded for its styling and strong power.
10. Toyota Tundra
Toyota's Tundra pickup truck is a capable and powerful vehicle. After an all-new redesign in 2022, with all components new, Tundra owners appreciate the powerful powertrain, comfortable interior appointments, and well-thought-out storage. Despite having more recalls than most Toyotas, this versatile full-size pickup is known to be reliable.
