Toyota’s been around long enough to build a deep catalog—some of it wildly popular, some of it barely known. Beyond the Supras, Celicas, and 4Runners, there’s a quieter group of Toyotas that came and went without much noise but still deserve a second look. These cars weren’t always mainstream hits, but they brought something interesting to the table—whether it was a strange design choice, a limited production run, or performance that slipped under the radar. Here are 12 Toyotas that even the most seasoned car folks tend to overlook.
Toyota Sera (1990–1995)
The Toyota Sera looks like something out of a concept garage, thanks to those butterfly doors. Built on the Starlet platform, it packed a 1.5L 5E-FHE inline-four pushing 104 hp to the front wheels. Nothing wild in performance, but it wasn’t trying to be. It was more about that glass canopy and lightweight frame. The cabin felt airy with all that glass, though in hot weather, it turned into a greenhouse. Toyota didn’t sell it outside Japan, so unless you’re deep into JDM imports, you probably haven’t seen one in the wild.
Toyota Century V12 (1997–2017)
Most people think Lexus is Toyota’s flagship. Technically, it’s the Century. The second-gen model quietly ran a 5.0L 1GZ-FE V12—Toyota’s only production V12—making 276 hp and 355 lb-ft of torque. It wasn’t fast, but that wasn’t the point. Built for high-ranking executives and royalty, the Century was about subtlety and silence. Rear passengers got massaging seats, lace curtains, and a ride so smooth it could make a Rolls-Royce rethink its priorities. The car stayed under the radar for two decades because Toyota never really advertised it.
Toyota Sport 800 (1965–1969)
Weighing under 1,300 pounds and powered by a 790cc air-cooled flat-twin, the Sport 800 wasn’t built to win races—it was built to enjoy backroads without burning a drop too many. It made just 44 hp, but with a drag coefficient of 0.35 and a removable targa top, it had some charm for its size. It was Japan’s first production sports car with a targa roof, years before Porsche picked up the idea. Toyota only made about 3,100 of them, and few left Japan, making it one of the most obscure cars they’ve ever built.
Toyota Crown Coupe (1971–1974)
Most people recognize the Crown as a sedate sedan, but the two-door hardtop version from the early ’70s brought a little style to that conservative badge. The MS75 model came with a 2.6L inline-six, rear-wheel drive, and a surprisingly cushy interior—complete with wood-grain trim and velour seating. It didn’t perform like a muscle car, but it had a more laid-back, executive grand tourer vibe. These are rarely seen outside Japan or New Zealand, and even in collector circles, the coupe often gets overlooked in favor of more popular JDM icons.
Toyota Mark II Blit (2002–2007)
The Mark II Blit was a rear-wheel-drive wagon with real punch under the hood—if you got the turbocharged 1JZ-GTE. That inline-six pushed 276 hp, backed by a 5-speed auto or manual depending on the trim. It shared a lot with the Supra and Chaser mechanically, but wore a longroof body that made it look more like a family hauler. It wasn’t flashy, and Toyota never officially exported it. Still, it’s one of those low-key wagons that could surprise you on the highway and still carry four adults with room to breathe.
Toyota Verossa (2001–2004)
The Verossa was a short-lived sedan that tried to blend luxury and sport, and somehow managed to confuse nearly everyone in the process. It had Supra DNA—sharing the 1JZ-GTE engine in the VR25 trim—but was wrapped in a body that never really found a fan base. The turbocharged inline-six made 276 hp and came with optional rear-wheel drive and manual transmission. Inside, it had leather, wood accents, and enough headroom to fit a tall driver without crouching. It’s strange, fast, and oddly comfortable—and that combo helped it disappear quickly.
Toyota Publica Convertible (1963–1968)
The Publica Convertible was built for Japan’s light car tax category but aimed at younger buyers who wanted a little flair without emptying their wallets. It used a 697cc two-cylinder boxer engine making around 28 hp—not fast by any stretch, but efficient and reliable. The folding roof and upright stance gave it an almost European roadster vibe, though the ride was far more utilitarian. It was never exported widely and rarely surfaces even in Japan anymore. It’s one of the more obscure Toyota models that even seasoned collectors tend to miss.
Toyota Soarer Aerocabin (1989)
Only 500 units of the Soarer Aerocabin were made, and it’s probably the most unusual version of the Z20 Soarer. It featured a power-retractable hardtop, not unlike the Mercedes SLK that came later. Power came from a 3.0L 7M-GTE turbo inline-six mated to a 4-speed auto. It wasn’t a corner carver—it was more of a cruiser with digital dash displays, plush seats, and a weirdly elegant presence. It weighed over 3,500 pounds, but that didn’t matter much. Most of these stayed in Japan, and the ones that left are collector oddities today.
Toyota Mega Cruiser (1995–2001)
Think of it as Toyota’s answer to the Hummer H1. The Mega Cruiser was originally designed for military use but saw a limited civilian run. It had a 4.1L turbodiesel inline-four making just 153 hp, but what it lacked in speed it made up for in capability—four-wheel steering, full-time 4WD, and locking diffs. It weighed nearly 6,300 pounds and could wade through serious water without flinching. Only around 3,000 were built, and barely a few hundred went to private owners. It’s massive, rare, and rarely seen outside Japan’s backcountry.
Toyota Carina ED (1985–1998)
While the Camry was doing family duty, the Carina ED was trying to offer something a little sleeker. It was a low-slung, pillarless hardtop sedan that shared platforms with more staid models but had better styling and a touch of performance. You could get it with a range of engines, including the 3S-GE, which was shared with the Celica and MR2. It wasn’t exactly fast, but it handled better than most front-drive sedans of its time. Toyota sold it only in Japan, and even among JDM imports, it doesn’t come up often.
Toyota WiLL VS (2001–2004)
The WiLL VS was part of a strange marketing experiment where Toyota teamed up with other companies to create design-forward products for younger buyers. The car looked sharp—almost like a concept Civic Type R—with angular bodywork and a fighter jet-style interior. Under the hood, you could get a 1.8L 2ZZ-GE engine making 180 hp, paired with a 6-speed manual in the Z trim. It drove better than it had any right to, but the branding was too offbeat to stick. Most people passed it by, and now it’s barely remembered outside Japan.
Toyota FX16 GT-S (1987–1988)
Before the Corolla GT-S and AE92 came into full swing, Toyota offered the FX16 GT-S—a hatchback version built in the U.S. with a real performance heart. It used the 1.6L 4A-GE twin-cam engine, delivering 108 hp and eager revs to the front wheels. Weighing in at just over 2,300 pounds, it was surprisingly quick and agile. The interior came with supportive sport seats, a leather-wrapped wheel, and a tight 5-speed. It was short-lived and easily overshadowed, but it helped lay the groundwork for Toyota’s compact performance efforts in the late ’80s.
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