The Toyota Cressida was first introduced in November 1977 in South Africa, where it was equipped with a 2.0-liter 18R engine. It was initially available as a fully equipped L version, with a semi-deluxe version introduced in January 1978. A station wagon variant was also introduced in August 1978. The Cressida was sold in other countries as well, including Ireland, Australia, and France.
In the United States, the Toyota Cressida was sold from December 1976 to February 1993 through four generations. It served as the flagship sedan for Toyota in the U.S. market. The Cressida name was retired in 1992 (1993 in Australia), but the chassis and the names Mark II, Chaser, and Cresta continued production in Japan until the early 2000s. In total, Toyota sold 353,053 Cressidas in the United States.
The Toyota Cressida was known for its high quality and luxury features. It shared technology with the Toyota Supra, including the powertrain, brake system, and suspension technology. The Cressida also featured newer technologies such as anti-lock brakes and a “semi lock” transmission. However, falling sales, limited availability, and the success of the Lexus division led to the discontinuation of the Cressida in North America in 1992.
The Toyota Cressida played a significant role in Toyota’s history, as it inspired the creation of the Lexus brand. The success of the Cressida as a luxury car with a sporty powertrain influenced Toyota’s decision to develop the Lexus LS400, a high-end luxury vehicle. The Cressida and the LS400 were sold together for a few years before Toyota decided to focus on the luxury brand and discontinue the Cressida.
Overall, the Toyota Cressida was an iconic and underrated car that provided luxury and performance in a relatively small package. Its production spanned from the late 1970s to the early 1990s, leaving a lasting impact on Toyota’s lineup and paving the way for the development of the Lexus brand .
Contents
- Are Toyota Cressidas reliable?
- When was the Cressida discontinued?
- Why was Toyota Cressida discontinued?
- Was the Toyota Cressida sold in the US?
- What came after Toyota Cressida?
- What replaced the Toyota Cressida?
- Is Toyota Cressida a reliable car?
- What years did Toyota make the Cressida?
- What car replaced the Toyota Cressida?
- What is special about Toyota Cressida?
Are Toyota Cressidas reliable?
THE Cressida is a sturdy, well-built and reliable car with few problems. But it’s now an old car and old cars are more prone to break down, no matter how good they were when new. Most Cressidas will show more than 200,000km on the odo, so you’re taking on an old car in the last stages of its useable life.
When was the Cressida discontinued?
1992
The Cressida was known for its smooth ride, comfortable interior, and long list of standard features. It was also one of the first cars to offer an automatic motorized passive seat belt system. The Cressida was discontinued in 1992, when Toyota introduced the Lexus ES 300 as its replacement.
Why was Toyota Cressida discontinued?
Though the Cressida would continue to sell well for another few years, the shared concepts and other similarities between it and the LS400 is what eventually led to its demise. While the Cressida was one of Toyota’s best-selling flagship vehicles, its sales overlapped with vehicles under the Lexus marquis.
Was the Toyota Cressida sold in the US?
In 1975 Toyota passed Volkswagen to become America’s biggest auto importer. In 1977, it introduced the Cressida luxury sedan to the U.S. market. It had a 2.6-liter 6-cylinder engine and was available as a sedan or wagon.
What came after Toyota Cressida?
Toyota Avalon was a successor to Toyota Cressida. Introduced as a top-of-the-line replacement in 1994, the car achieved multiple recognitions as a ‘Best Buy’ soon after its launch. Representing the fine level of Toyota’s comfort, reliability and quality, Avalon featured all the properties of a full-sized sedan.
What replaced the Toyota Cressida?
Avalon
Prior to 1972, the model was marketed as the Toyota Corona Mark II. In some export markets, Toyota marketed the vehicle as the Toyota Cressida between 1976 and 1992 across four generations. Toyota replaced the rear-wheel-drive Cressida in North America with the front-wheel-drive Avalon.
Is Toyota Cressida a reliable car?
THE Cressida is a sturdy, well-built and reliable car with few problems. But it’s now an old car and old cars are more prone to break down, no matter how good they were when new. Most Cressidas will show more than 200,000km on the odo, so you’re taking on an old car in the last stages of its useable life.
What years did Toyota make the Cressida?
The Toyota Cressida is a business class passenger car produced by Toyota from 1976 to 1992. The model has a total of four generations. In Japan, the car was sold under the names Mark II, Chaser and Cross.
What car replaced the Toyota Cressida?
Avalon
Prior to 1972, the model was marketed as the Toyota Corona Mark II. In some export markets, Toyota marketed the vehicle as the Toyota Cressida between 1976 and 1992 across four generations. Toyota replaced the rear-wheel-drive Cressida in North America with the front-wheel-drive Avalon.
What is special about Toyota Cressida?
Available either as a four-door sedan or a station wagon, the new Cressida is Toyota’s most American car to date, a triumph of Japanese market research and technological cloning. It is a very good car. Its engine performs faultlessly and its automatic-overdrive transmission is smooth and sure.