Toyota has built its reputation on reliability and practicality, but throughout its history it has also produced some of the most iconic and character filled cars on the road. The brand was never afraid to experiment, and many of those experiments turned into fan favorites. Unfortunately, shifting consumer tastes, stricter regulations, and Toyota’s focus on global strategy meant that some of its most interesting and beloved models were cut from the lineup. While some of these vehicles live on as collector’s items, others have been largely forgotten outside enthusiast circles. What they all share is the sense that Toyota ended them too soon, leaving holes in the lineup that still feel empty today.
Toyota Supra Mk4
The fourth generation Supra, built through the 1990s, has become one of the most desirable Japanese sports cars in history. Its 2JZ GTE twin turbo inline six was so overbuilt that tuners pushed it to well over 1,000 horsepower, creating a legend on drag strips and in street racing scenes around the world. When it was new, however, the Supra faced slowing sales and pressure from rising insurance premiums and emissions rules. Toyota discontinued it in the late 1990s, just before its cult status took off. Today, collector values in the United States and Canada have skyrocketed, with clean examples regularly bringing six figures. Ending production left Toyota without a true flagship performance car for nearly two decades, which is why so many enthusiasts believe the Mk4 Supra should never have disappeared in the first place.
Toyota MR2
The MR2 was Toyota’s accessible mid engine sports car that gave ordinary buyers the thrill of exotic handling. The first generation was feather light and fun, the second generation looked like a baby Ferrari, and the third generation offered open top affordability. Yet by the mid 2000s, sales had slowed and Toyota shifted away from small sports cars. Its discontinuation left Toyota without an affordable performance option, a gap it has yet to truly fill even with the reborn GR86. Today, second generation MR2 Turbos in particular are climbing in value, often reaching thirty to forty thousand dollars for clean cars. The MR2’s mix of affordability, simplicity, and character made it unique, and its absence is still felt strongly among enthusiasts.
Toyota Celica
The Celica carried Toyota’s performance image for decades, evolving from a compact coupe in the 1970s to a World Rally Championship icon in the 1980s and 1990s. The GT Four versions with turbocharged engines and all wheel drive remain especially beloved, thanks to their rally pedigree. The final generation Celica, sold in the early 2000s, still offered sharp styling and rev happy engines but struggled against cheaper, faster rivals. Toyota pulled the plug in 2006, ending a nameplate that had been part of the lineup for over thirty years. In today’s collector market, early Celicas and GT Fours are climbing in value, particularly in Canada where rally heritage cars are cherished. Killing off the Celica erased one of Toyota’s most direct connections to motorsport.
Toyota Cressida
The Cressida was Toyota’s luxury sedan before Lexus existed. Rear wheel drive and powered by smooth inline six engines, it gave buyers a Japanese alternative to a BMW 5 Series at a fraction of the cost. It was discontinued in the early 1990s as Toyota moved luxury buyers toward Lexus, but the Cressida had its own devoted following. Many saw it as the perfect blend of understated style and bulletproof reliability. Today, clean Cressidas are rare but sought after, with enthusiasts swapping in Supra engines to create sleeper performance sedans. The car’s discontinuation left Toyota without a premium sport sedan under its own badge, and many argue it could have coexisted with Lexus rather than disappearing.
Toyota FJ Cruiser
The FJ Cruiser arrived in the mid 2000s as a retro throwback to the classic FJ40 Land Cruiser. With bold styling, a tough 4.0 liter V6, and genuine off road capability, it immediately gained a cult following. However, as gas prices spiked and crossover sales surged, Toyota discontinued it in the 2010s. Just a few years later, the off road SUV market boomed with the rise of vehicles like the Jeep Wrangler and Ford Bronco, making Toyota’s decision seem premature. Today, used FJ Cruisers often sell for more than their original sticker prices in both the United States and Canada, proof that demand never truly went away.
Toyota Land Cruiser (North America)
Globally, the Land Cruiser continues as Toyota’s flagship off roader, but in North America it was discontinued after the 2021 model year. Rising prices and shrinking sales numbers led Toyota to withdraw it, leaving only the Lexus LX as its luxury counterpart. The Land Cruiser name, however, carried decades of heritage, trusted by everyone from farmers to diplomats to adventurers across the world. Its loss from American and Canadian showrooms was felt immediately, as loyal owners had no direct replacement. While the new 250 series is returning, the gap left by the classic full size Land Cruiser has cemented the feeling that it should never have left in the first place.
Toyota Corona
The Corona was one of Toyota’s earliest exports to North America, helping establish the brand’s reputation for affordable, dependable cars. For years it sat between the Crown and the Corolla, offering more refinement than the entry level models without moving into luxury territory. By the mid 1980s, Toyota streamlined its lineup and dropped the Corona in favor of other nameplates. Many enthusiasts feel that was a mistake, as the Corona had a distinct identity and was popular among buyers who wanted something practical yet more upscale than a Corolla. In vintage Toyota circles, surviving Coronas are prized as symbols of the brand’s early rise in North America.
Toyota Paseo
The Toyota Paseo of the 1990s is often overlooked, but it filled an important niche. Based on the Tercel, it was an affordable entry level coupe aimed at younger buyers who wanted something sporty without breaking the bank. Its light weight and simple mechanics made it reliable and cheap to run, but it never gained the popularity of the Celica. Discontinued due to slow sales, it left Toyota without a true budget sports coupe. Today, Paseos remain one of the most affordable ways to get into a vintage Toyota, with clean examples selling for under ten thousand dollars. Enthusiasts argue that had Toyota kept refining it, the Paseo could have grown into a strong rival to Honda’s Civic coupe.
Toyota Previa
The Toyota Previa was one of the quirkiest and most innovative minivans ever sold. With its futuristic egg shaped design and unusual mid engine layout, it stood out from the competition. It was reliable, durable, and packed with clever features, making it a favorite among families who wanted something different. Toyota replaced it with the more conventional Sienna in North America during the late 1990s, but the Previa’s unique character was lost in the process. Today, enthusiasts and collectors appreciate it for its eccentricity, and in Canada especially, imported Japanese market Previa models with superchargers are sought after for their rarity.
Toyota Soarer
The Toyota Soarer was one of the brand’s most stylish luxury coupes, sold in Japan but often recognized in North America through its Lexus twin, the SC. With smooth inline six engines and later V8s, the Soarer blended performance with refinement in a way that few other Toyotas ever did. Discontinued in the early 2000s, it left Toyota without a true grand touring coupe. Enthusiasts in Canada frequently import Japanese market Soarers, particularly the twin turbo 1JZ models, which are highly prized today. The Soarer’s absence robbed Toyota of one of its most charismatic and sophisticated models.
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