Throughout automotive history, Toyota has been renowned for producing reliable and practical vehicles. However, beneath some of these unassuming badges lies performance that defies expectations. Models like the Toyota 2000GT, a limited-production sports car from the late 1960s, showcased engineering prowess that rivaled European competitors. (en.wikipedia.org) Similarly, the GR Supra, developed in collaboration with BMW, has demonstrated acceleration and top speeds that challenge its modest exterior. (keithpiersontoyota.com) These examples highlight Toyota’s ability to blend everyday usability with unexpected performance, proving that appearances can be deceiving.
The 1980s and 1990s were pivotal decades for Toyota, producing a range of vehicles that achieved legendary status, particularly in markets outside the United States. Regional regulations, unique enthusiast communities, and exclusive versions contributed to the allure of these models. For instance, the Toyota Chaser JZX90/JZX100, a four-door sedan with Supra power, became a cult favorite among Japanese car enthusiasts. (rushexperts.com) Similarly, the Toyota Soarer, known as the Lexus SC in other markets, combined luxury with performance, making it a sought-after model in Japan. (motorvibez.com) These vehicles, among others, highlight how regional factors and unique versions enhanced their appeal beyond the U.S. market.
Scion, Toyota’s youth-focused sub-brand launched in 2003, was renowned for its bold experimentation and distinctive designs. Embracing a “pure price” sales model, Scion offered vehicles that stood out in the automotive world. Their concept cars, such as the Scion Fuse and Scion Hako Coupe, showcased innovative features and unique aesthetics, generating significant buzz among enthusiasts. Despite this, the brand was discontinued in 2016, leaving behind a legacy of missed opportunities and unfulfilled potential. (en.wikipedia.org)
Launched in 2003, Scion was Toyota’s bold experiment to captivate younger, trend-conscious drivers with distinctive designs and a no-haggle pricing model. Despite its innovative approach, the brand faced challenges and was discontinued in 2016. However, many of its models have experienced a resurgence in popularity, gaining a cult following and becoming symbols of automotive individuality. This article explores ten Scion vehicles that have become cooler since the brand’s demise.
Toyota has long been synonymous with reliability and practicality, often overshadowing its performance-oriented engineering. However, beneath this mainstream image, certain models have been crafted with features that appeal to driving enthusiasts. These vehicles offer uniquely sporty dynamics, engineering quirks, and tuning potential, showcasing Toyota’s commitment to performance. In this article, we explore ten such models that reveal Toyota’s hidden legacy in the realm of automotive excitement.
Remember when Nissan applied the Pathfinder name to a unibody crossover for 2013? It was like Nissan was watching Dodge introduce a four-door Charger and thought, “Let’s also do something that makes no sense!” So, will Nissan exhibit more common sense with the reintroduction of the Xterra for 2028?
Yup, you’re reading that right—according to Bloomberg, Nissan Americas chairman Christian Meunier has confirmed that the Xterra will be returning for 2028 and will be built at Nissan’s Canton, Mississippi plant. “The dealers are super excited about it because it’s going to be a great example of Nissan coming back,” Meunier told Bloomberg. Wasn’t the Z supposed to do that?
Nonetheless, the rumors have been around for several months already. Automotive News reported this past August that a supposed 2028 Xterra vehicle would rely on a hybrid V6 powertrain.
Car and Driver approached Nissan for a statement and received this: “We are considering the revival of the Xterra nameplate as a hybrid SUV, with a potential launch in 2028. Production is being evaluated for our Canton, Mississippi facility. The return of Xterra would represent a strategic move to strengthen our position in the mid-size off-road SUV segment.” Car and Driver adds that the Xterra has been substituted in the place of a planned EV SUV.
Nissan has already commenced with plans to release 20 new and updated models for America and its northern neighbor through the spring of 2027—now we can say at least 21 models through 2028. If you look at Nissan’s current SUV portfolio, note that it leans heavily towards crossovers, so we’re betting that the Xterra will most certainly be the “Comeback Kid” that Nissan fans are hoping for.
Lexus isn’t the only luxury automaker creating lifestyle-focused custom builds. Bentley recently partnered with Danish food and beverage brand Joe & The Juice to create a custom Bentayga with an onboard coffee shop.
Bentley says the one-off was “designed for intimate events that bring communities together” and “can serve espressos in urban and cultural settings before swiftly moving on to its next destination. It transforms the Bentayga into the world’s most luxurious coffee experience, where cutting-edge design meets the perfect brew.”
The Bentley x Joe & The Juice Bentayga’s barista uniform is Bentley Green and Joe’s Signature Pink, accented with a combination of the two companies’ logos. In the cargo area, Bentley’s Mulliner bespoke division installed a setup with green leather panels and pink details that includes a grinder, espresso machine, and fridge. The whole station can be slid out to sling coffee and espresso at community events, then retracted so the Bentayga can move on to the next gathering.
People who attended the Bentley x Joe & The Juice Bentayga’s launch event at Duke of London in late September got the first taste of its caffeinated creations, but you may get a chance to try them in the future. The partnership between the two companies will fully launch next year, and the custom Bentayga will go on “an international tour of cultural, lifestyle and design events.” Where exactly will those be? Ask someone at Bentley after they’ve had coffee.
Right now on AutoHunter, you can find this 1955 Mercury Custom Station Wagon, which is powered by a Super-Torque 292ci V8 mated to a Merc-O-Matic three-speed automatic transmission. Finished in light and dark blue over a black plaid cloth and gray vinyl interior, this six-passenger wagon is now offered by the selling dealer in Oregon with a clear title.
The body and roof are finished in light blue, while the pillars are finished in dark blue. Exterior features include chrome bumpers, hood ornament, Full-Scope wrap-around windshield, bright trim, dual side mirrors, sliding rear side windows, lift-up rear window, tailgate, and dual exhaust outlets.
A set of 15-inch steel wheels with covers and 225/75 whitewall radials get passengers and/or cargo to their destinations.
Black plaid cloth and gray vinyl cover the first-row bench and second-row split bench seats, as well as the door panels. Cabin features include manual windows, power steering, AM radio, clock, under-dash Vintage Air Mark IV air conditioning system running R-134a, lap belts, under-seat storage areas and fold-down seatbacks in the second row, and spare tire under the rear cargo area floor.
Instrumentation consists of a 120-mph speedometer and amperage, fuel, oil pressure, and temperature gauges. The odometer shows 92,662 miles, but this vehicle is mileage-exempt, according to its title.
Under the hood is a Super-Torque 292ci V8 equipped with a four-barrel carburetor and paired with a Merc-O-Matic three-speed automatic transmission. Power drum brakes provide peace of mind on the way to family outings, car shows, and the hardware store.
If you want peace of mind knowing this 1955 Mercury Custom Station Wagon will be your next car, you need to place the winning bid on it. Do that now because the auction ends on Thursday, October 9, 2025, at 12:30 p.m. (PDT).
Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and a photo gallery
Toyota’s skillset in building reliable, capable trucks gained a lot of notoriety in the late 1990s and early 2000s. The Tacoma, first launched 30 years ago in 1995 to replace a truck that was simply named “pickup,” has since matured to become the best-selling midsize pickup in the country today. The Pick of the Day is a 2002 Toyota Tacoma 4×4 extended-cab pickup listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a dealer in Pittsburgh.
Marketing materials for the first-generation Tacoma were playful and fun: one magazine advertisement said, “That feeling of freedom, that feeling of power, that feeling of stupidity after, a spontaneous jungle scream.” It went on to say, “When you’re behind the wheel of a Tacoma 4×4, you can’t help but feel primal.” Toyota boasted about the truck’s V6 engine, its “shift-on-the-move” 4WD system, and its class-leading ground clearance.
This Tacoma is a 79,330-mile, highly original example in beige that is said to be unmodified and rust-free. The listing says, “MaxMotive is pleased to offer this really clean Tacoma. For the year and age of the truck, you can tell it is very well maintained.”
Equipment includes chrome bumpers, side steps, Bridgestone Dueler tires, mud flaps, a sliding rear window, black fender flares, and a spray-in bed liner. The cab is well-appointed, too with bucket seats, a center console, power windows, air conditioning, and AM/FM/CD audio system. Under the hood is a 3.4-liter four-cam V6 that was known under the code name “5VZ-FE.” It was rated at 190 horsepower and 220 lb-ft of torque. A four-speed automatic transmission and dual-range transfer case deliver power to all four corners. The dealer has provided a walk-around video showcasing the exterior and interior.
For those seeking proven reliability, off-road capability, and durability, the Tacoma is a no-brainer. It’s a no-frills truck that some would say is spartan in features, but it has a strong, utilitarian design, strong replacement parts support, and class-leading value retention.
Regarding the price tag: One thing about older Toyota pickups is that they are insanely good at retaining—and even gaining—value. An extended-cab 4×4 V6 Tacoma started out at round $21,000 in base trim when it was new in 2002.
The asking price for this lightly used example today is $27,000.
Click here to view this Pick of the Day on ClassicCars.com
The Rolls-Royce Phantom flagship sedan turns 100 this year. To commemorate the occasion, Rolls-Royce is creating a Private Collection that incorporates three new woodworking techniques that the company’s artisans have never used before.
Rolls-Royce has been pushing the limits of its creativity and craftsmanship, which explains why 2024 was its busiest year for Bespoke builds. The 1-of-1 Phantom Goldfinger honored the 1964 James Bond movie with several custom elements and references. The Phantom Extended Cherry Blossom featured the company’s first use of 3D sculptural embroidery. Most recently, Rolls-Royce created its first-ever hand-painted Starlight Headliner for the space-themed Cullinan Cosmos one-off.
For the Private Collection, Rolls-Royce’s craftspeople spent a year developing wood interior panels made with three firsts for the company: 3D marquetry, 3D ink layering, and gold leafing. They selected sheets of Blackwood veneer, then laser-etched design elements such as maps, landscapes, flowers, trees, and locations significant to the Phantom’s history at three different depths. The lower levels appear darker, producing contrasts in light and color. Instead of cutting holes for the metal speaker grilles, the woodworkers milled the openings directly into the veneer.
The 3D marquetry goes in the opposite direction, adding raised designs to the main surface of the wood so that they can be felt as well as seen. Layers of ink accent the veneers with three-dimensional textures and patterns.
To learn the art of gold leafing, also known as gilding, five people from Rolls-Royce’s Interior Surface Centre took a special course at West Dean College in South East England. Starting with hand-laid sheets of high-gloss 24-carat gold leaf approximately 0.1 micrometers thick, they precisely cut “roads” for the map sections, then set them in the wood veneers.
Speaking of roads, this glimpse at the Private Collection’s interior takes us closer to its official reveal. We have a feeling Rolls-Royce clients will be coming out of the woodwork to get their own pieces of it.