Though Americans love to think we’re the center of the universe, that’s far from the case, especially when we’re talking about cars. The global automotive world is packed with “forbidden fruit” vehicles that automakers sell in other countries but not here. Despite being one of the most visible and popular automakers in the U.S., Japanese auto giant Toyota has a whole universe of vehicles it doesn’t offer to Americans. The iconic Century sedan is one of them, acting as the transport vehicle of choice for Japan’s royals and dignitaries. Now, Toyota’s got an SUV version, but it looks like the larger Century vehicle won’t come here, either. 

Toyota’s manufacturing processes are the stuff of legend, as the automaker’s focus on quality and efficiency is unmatched in the industry. It relies on a production philosophy known as just in time, which means its raw materials flow into factories “just in time” to be used for production. The methodology reduces costs and waste, but it leaves the automaker susceptible to disruptions if one or more parts of its supply chain or operations have issues.

The Big T is adding new trims and options to its Tundra half-ton pickup truck for the 2024 model year, including an expansion of the TRD Off-Road package to its snazzy Platinum-grade 4x4 and extending the availability of the murdered-out Nightshade trim. Of greater interest to this author? A new TRD 3-inch suspension lift kit can now be installed at the factory.

In a bit of serendipitous timing, we saw earlier this week that a lot of 2023 Toyota Supra buyers are opting for the manual.

Having tested one earlier this year, I can see why.

Toyota wasn’t the first to market a hybrid car here in the U.S. Despite that, the Prius has become the defining hybrid car of the past two decades or so, with the model name occasionally outshining the marque itself. Hybridization has metastasized throughout the Toyota lineup, punctuating nearly every model and segment with electrification. 

It only stands to reason that the largest vehicles in a lineup, those vehicles for which fuel economy has never been the sole focus, should be among the last to see battery power. Within full-sized trucks and SUVs, however, there are plenty of gains to be made and plenty of room to stow extra batteries for additional economy and performance.

While the full-sized Tundra offers the choice between a standard turbo V-6 and hybridization, this 2023 Toyota Sequoia is hybrid only. How does it stack up in the real world? Is it a revelation in fuel efficiency, or does it keep you from seeing the redwood forest for the trees?

The calls for a manual transmission option began almost as soon as people got past the fact that the new Toyota Supra is essentially a BMW Z4 underneath. Toyota obliged, releasing a six-speed manual version of the inline-six-powered variant, and we’re now learning that buyers have rewarded that decision.

When it comes to reviews, the 2023 Toyota bZ4X has taken it on its oddly-shaped chin. And, as I found out, for good reason.

That’s a shame because had this car been done right, it could’ve easily worked as affordable EV transport.

Bet you never thought you'd see a 2010 Toyota Sequoia that was rolling on 35s.

Toyota’s got a lot going on, from the shockingly good-looking new Prius in 2023 to a fresh Tacoma pickup and Land Cruiser SUV next year. On top of that, Automotive News recently reported that the automaker has several other new models on the way, starting with a Crown Crossover and an electric three-row family hauler.

It's Toyota madness this week, thanks to the 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser unveiling last night.

Today's UCOTD is a tough mudder. A 13-inch "bob" and a 5:29 Detroit rear locker, along with a 5:29 front axle are just the tip of the off-road iceberg for this 1981 Toyota Pickup Crawler.

Toyota and Subaru have partnered on a few vehicles in recent times, including the BRZ/GR 86 and bZ4X/Solterra twins. The brotherly love is expected to continue with a new three-row SUV in 2025. Toyota will build the vehicle in its Kentucky factory, where its own electric three-row will be produced.

Toyota's Land Cruiser is back after three years. And it will have a base price in the mid-$50,000s.

The covers come off the next Toyota Land Cruiser later today.

Today's UCOTD is, uh, interesting. This 2002 Toyota Tacoma Prerunner TRD has more than 283K miles on the clock, it's 21 years old, and the price is $15,000.

The slow drip of information about the upcoming square-as-a-box Toyota Land Cruiser continues with the teaser photo you see above. 

Toyota is a sleeping giant. They’ve been building solid-but-boring cars, trucks, and crossovers for several decades, succeeding due to a legacy of anvil-like reliability. Of late, they’ve outsourced their sporty cars to other automakers or stuck the TRD badge on things like the Camry to which no sane mind would think to look for sportiness.

Disclaimer - I kinda dig the TRD Camry. 

But in the background, somewhere beyond the company that builds pickup trucks, SUVs, and even forklifts, you simply had to know there lingered a cadre of enthusiasts. A merry band of gearheads who would not rest until they had something they could build and enjoy by themselves. While it started with the rally-inspired GR Yaris overseas, we husky Yanks couldn’t be trusted to squeeze ourselves into such a wee hatch. Instead, we see this 2023 Toyota GR Corolla Morizo Edition. From what I can deduce using online translators and my butt dyno, Morizo roughly translates as batshit insane.

The Subaru BRZ and Toyota GR86 recently got makeovers that finally gave them more power and the spirited driving dynamics they needed. New rumors point to the Toyota half of the duo getting even more power in the future via the GR Corolla’s turbocharged 1.6-liter three-cylinder.

Minivans are better than crossovers. Period. In a roughly similar package, a minivan gives a family more space for both people and cargo than a three-row crossover, as the floor is lower. And yet there are but four automakers building minivans these days, whereas just about every company has something to fit the Biggie-sized tall wagon envelope.

Toyota is one of the few with both. They’ve recently brought us the Grand Highlander and the Sienna minivan is a shining monument to soccer parents past and future. This 2023 Toyota Highlander may not be as grand as either, but can it Goldilocks its way into your garage?

It’s an open secret that the Big T is on the cusp of returning this storied nameplate to North American showrooms, meaning the release of a shadowy teaser image isn’t a huge surprise. Still, it’s neat to see what’s in the hopper for this off-road brute.

Today's UCOTD is a project vehicle, no doubt. That said, someone who snags this non-running 1988 Toyota 4Runner V6 could end up with a delightful off-road rig if he or she has the time and money to get it all fixed up.

Chrysler revolutionized the American family-hauler world in the 1984 model year when the Plymouth Voyager and Dodge Caravan minivans first appeared. That same year, Toyota began selling Americanized versions of its LiteAce/ TownAce/ MasterAce Surf vans over here, attracting less attention but moving enough of them that I still see them during my junkyard travels. Here's an '87 that received the camper-conversion treatment, now residing in a Northern California car graveyard.

It's another 1985 Toyota Celica Supra -- I guess I am drawn to these cars. Maybe because I grew up in the '80s and '90s myself.

Large, family-hauling SUVs prioritize comfort for obvious reasons. With the 2023 Toyota Sequoia, the brand also tried to be stylish. One mission accomplished, one not so much.

Toyota has released the second generation of the C-HR subcompact crossover and looks to have made numerous improvements to the vehicle. But it doesn’t sound like we’ll be seeing it on our market after the original model failed to resonate with North American consumers.

We also have the Toyota Corolla Cross available for purchase, resulting in some troublesome overlap. While still extremely slow in its base configuration, the Cross ended up being significantly quicker than the C-HR and offered improved utility for a little less money. However, with the new generation having addressed some of the discontinued model’s shortcomings, one wonders if the new C-HR would have a better chance were it to be shipped stateside.

Eager to continue showcasing its performance products sold under the Gazoo Racing banner, Toyota has introduced special editions of the GR Corolla, GR86, and GR Supra. Sadly, this makes them limited in nature and subject to dealer markups you might not want to deal with. However, if you’re looking for a collectible Toyota to keep in your garage for a few decades, these models are probably worth looking into.

Today's UCOTD is a cool little off-roader that comes to us by way of Utah: A 1971 Toyota FJ Land Cruiser.

Toyota chairman Akio Toyoda recently discussed a sporting EV prototype the company has been working on, noting that the model has the simulated manual transmission that’s been the subject of much controversy. Many have claimed a stick-shift electric wouldn’t happen, as it would add cost and needless amounts of complexity for a brand that’s traditionally been averse to both concepts.

However, the brand seems to be running with the concept. Lexus had already toyed with the idea and Akio is now praising the unit that’s been equipped with the Toyota-branded prototype.

While Toyota Motor Corp is known for casting a wide net and acting cautiously, it recently made some fairly lofty statements about its strategy regarding all-electric vehicles. Despite the brand offering the humble bZ4X as its singular EV on the North American market, Toyota is suggesting subsequent models driving ranges that model would envy. 

Rumors don’t often end up coming true, but the recent whispers about a new Toyota Land Cruiser coming back to America have become a reality. The automaker recently announced that the SUV would return, ending a short period of intense speculation over the iconic off-road vehicle.

We reported yesterday that the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado might come to the United States.

So, naturally, the question is ... should it?

We haven't featured a Toyota MR2 in this space very often -- maybe ever. This one is based in Florida, and sadly not a stick.

The Toyota Land Cruiser took a bow after the 2021 model year, ending a decades-long run of near-bulletproof off-road SUVs on the U.S. market. We got a new Lexus LX, but it’s even more expensive than the already-pricey Toyota. However, a new report from Automotive News suggests a new Land Cruiser variant is coming. 

On Wednesday, Toyota Motor Corp. confirmed that its first U.S.-made all-electric vehicle will be assembled in Kentucky starting in 2025. The Georgetown facility is the automaker’s largest in the world and will be incorporating a three-row EV into its production lines once Toyota’s battery plant in North Carolina is completed.

The Toyota Corolla Cross is a relatively new entry to the automaker’s lineup, having debuted last year for the American market. It’s received positive reviews from critics and owners, but it’s not immune to the long arm of the NHTSA. The new crossover is the subject of a recent recall for an issue that could cause its airbags not to deploy.

On Tuesday, Toyota Motor Corp. confirmed plans to merge its truck-making subsidiary Hino Motors with the rival Mitsubishi Fuso that’s owned by Daimler AG.

If you’re confused by the news, Mitsubishi only has a minority stake in the Fuso brand with Germany’s Daimler having owned 89 percent of the whole since the early 2000s. Meanwhile, Hino Motors has been wholly owned by Toyota Motor Corp. since 2001 and enjoyed a working partnership with Japan’s largest automaker since the 1960s.

We told you the other day about a Toyota owner who is upset a damaged engine won't be covered under warranty after he drove his car on the track.

We've also covered an issue in which Ford Bronco owners complain that a factory feature has damaged their vehicles after off-road use -- and that Ford is denying warranty claims.

When you buy a new car, the warranty is one of those things that is just a given, but a Toyota GR86 owner recently found the limits of his coverage, despite appearing to use his car in a way sanctioned by Toyota.

Toyota sold new Camry station wagons in North America from the 1987 through 1996 model years. I've found a couple of examples of the first-year longroof Camry during my junkyard travels, but the final-year cars remained elusive… until I spotted this one in a Silicon Valley car graveyard in April.

A chief scientist at Toyota has said that forcing people to buy EVs could actually make them want to keep their internal-combustion engine vehicles longer.

Why are we asking you to pay attention? Because thanks to Toyota’s glacier-like design cycle, it is entirely possible this is an event that will happen infrequently in our lifetimes. Hot on the heels of a new Colorado/Canyon and fresh Ranger, the Big T has unleashed a new Tacoma.

Toyota’s outgoing CEO, Akio Toyoda, is a legitimate car guy, racing and driving vehicles harder than any executive probably should. A report from the Japanese site Best Car Web states that the automaker’s new CEO, Tsuneji Sato, expressed a fondness for the Celica, saying he’d like to see a new version of the defunct coupe in Toyota’s catalog.

Toyota was far behind the times when it came to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with some at the company citing concerns around owners’ privacy as a significant speedbump to implementing the tech. Now, it seems those concerns didn’t completely extend to other areas of the automaker’s business. It recently apologized for leaving millions of owners’ data on the internet for several years.

Stylists at the Big T have re-upped the Nightshade trim for their Corolla. Set to appear as an option on the sedan, hatchback, and hybrid models, the package will bring some visual interest to the brand’s popular compact car.

The 2024 Toyota Tacoma is coming soon, but the internet has been abuzz with rumors and leaked images. The latest comes from a Reddit user who claims the image above came from navigating Toyota’s website.

After what seems like a lifetime of being strung along, Toyota has finally dropped a firm date on which they will introduce the new Tacoma. And, true to form, they also published some photos from which we can parse some detail.

While some may be perturbed by the premise that Toyota is adding complexity to the next-generation Tacoma via hybridization, the current model has been around since 2015 and is arguably due for an update. To pave the way for the new truck, the manufacturer recently sought to assuage fears that there will be no manual option by issuing a press release vowing be-clutched variants would remain available.

Cheap speed is almost always welcome, even if there are sacrifices made.

Such is the case with the 2022 Toyota GR86 – it’s a blast to drive, but you make sacrifices for the sake of fun.

Though it’s long been known for building sensible, reliable cars, Toyota has emerged as an enthusiasts’ ally in recent years. The brand created the GR Yaris for other countries, but here in the States, we’ve got the GR 86, GR Corolla, and GR Supra, making Toyota one of our more performance-forward automakers. That could continue, as incoming CEO Koji Sato recently said the company’s former CEO and well-known gearhead might have more time to develop fast cars. 

We’ve spilled innumerable gallons of digital ink on the forthcoming Tacoma, partly thanks to an incessant stream of teaser photos but mainly because it is a hugely important product in a hot segment. But still – Toyota, if you’re listening, hurry up with the real thing, will ya?

This time around, we learn of a neat option ripped straight from the Book of Wrangler.

The Toyota Prius has pretty much always been focused solely on fuel economy. The design was driven by the desire to maximize MPGs. Driving dynamics took a back seat to fuel economy. If you bought a Prius (or leased one) you likely bought it for fuel economy – or maybe because it was affordable.

The redesigned 2023 Toyota Prius is supposed to change all that without sacrificing all that fuel-economy stuff.

Does it? Well, for the most part, yes. But is that good enough to lure in those who have long disdained the car as a wedge-shaped penalty box that existed only to lengthen the time between fill-ups?

The Toyota Crown may wear a well-known nameplate, but we haven’t seen it in the U.S. since the early 1970s. Now it’s back, replacing the venerable Avalon as the brand's full-size sedan.

And it’s … well, the 2023 Toyota Crown experience is just a bit different than what the Avalon offered.

Some of you didn't like the Supra from last week. Well, you might not like this 1989 Toyota MR2 either.

I am going back to the well because the pickings are slim in our forum database today -- but also, the point of this feature isn't to feature the nicest cars. It's to feature the most interesting. And given when I grew up, I find cars like this one interesting -- even if they need help.

When I worked as a service writer, an upset customer threatened to kick my ass right then and there in the service drive. If I recall correctly, he was upset because there was a language barrier and the price for the service came in higher than he'd expected.

Today's UCOTD is a straight-up project car.

There's no doubt from the ad that this 1982 Toyota Supra MKII needs help. Hence the low price of just $4,500.

This feature was Toyota FJ-heavy for a bit, but we haven't had one for a while. So today we're featuring a 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser TRD.

In a story coming to you out of your author's hometown, we have a teacher who rented a Toyota Supra on Turo ... to set a land-speed record.

We know catalytic converter theft is a problem and that thefts have risen since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic.

A report out of Los Angeles shows just how much of a pain it can be to have your converter swiped, especially if you drive a Toyota Prius.

Toyota Motor Corp has announced it will be partnering with Exxon to develop a low-carbon fuel that can be used in gasoline engines. Considering that governments around the world are introducing stringent carbon emission standards, this seems like a worthwhile endeavor. However, Toyota also likes to throw spaghetti at the wall to see what sticks, and previous attempts to deliver on similar concepts have fallen flat.

Today's used car of the day is a 1985 Toyota Mk2 Celica Supra that has a lot of miles on the clock.