Toyota
Japan · Founded 1937
Reliability as religion. Toyota built vehicles so dependable they became the default choice for anyone who just wanted their car to work.
Heritage
Toyota started as a loom manufacturer, then built their first car as a copy of a Chevrolet. They learned fast. By the '80s, Toyota quality embarrassed Detroit. The Land Cruiser became the vehicle of choice for aid workers in war zones. The Hilux pickup earned a reputation for being literally indestructible. Even the humble Corolla became a global phenomenon. Toyota isn't exciting, but that's the point. When you need a vehicle that starts every time, forever, you buy a Toyota.
Toyota Vehicles (3)
1974 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40
The FJ40 is the off-road equivalent of a Rolex Submariner: an icon that transcends its original purpose. Toyota built these trucks to work in the harshest conditions on earth, and they delivered. Aid workers, safari guides, and military forces worldwide trusted their lives to FJ40s. The formula was simple: bulletproof inline-six, solid axles front and rear, and body-on-frame construction tough enough to survive anything. This isn't a lifestyle accessory — it's a working tool that happens to be beautiful.
1994 Toyota 4x4 Pickup
This is the truck that built Toyota's American reputation. The one that survives neglect, abuse, and decades of use. It's not fast, not luxurious, not particularly capable by modern standards. But it starts every time, runs forever, and does exactly what a truck should do without drama. The 22R-E engine has a cult following for good reason: it may be the most reliable engine ever mass-produced. These trucks just refuse to die.
1994 Toyota Supra Turbo
The A80 Supra was Toyota's grand touring flagship, but the tuning community turned it into legend. The 2JZ-GTE inline-six is perhaps the most overbuilt engine ever put in a production car. The factory bottom end can handle 700+ horsepower without modification. Tuners discovered this, and 1,000 hp street Supras became almost common. The Fast & Furious franchise made the orange Supra iconic, and prices went stratospheric. But even stock, the Supra Turbo was a sophisticated GT car with genuine performance. The sequential turbos eliminated lag. The Getrag 6-speed was nearly indestructible. It was the last of Toyota's great sports cars before they went conservative.