Did Toyota make a muscle car?
In short: no. Toyota has never produced a traditional American “muscle car”—the kind of large-displacement, V8-powered, rear-wheel-drive machine that defined American performance in the 1960s and 1970s. The company, however, has built a long line of performance-oriented cars and today markets a dedicated Gazoo Racing (GR) lineup that emphasizes handling, balance, and modern turbocharged power rather than the classic muscle-car formula.
What counts as a muscle car and why Toyota doesn’t fit the label
Muscle cars are typically defined by their era, origin, and mechanical layout: mid-1960s to early-1970s American-made, affordable, two-door, rear-wheel-drive coupes built around a large V8 for straight-line speed. Toyota’s approach to performance has instead centered on lightweight chassis design, precise handling, smaller turbocharged engines, and collaboration with European partners for certain models. That combination yields sports cars and performance coupes rather than the mass-market V8 icon associated with muscle cars.
examples of Toyota’s performance lineage (not muscle cars)
The following Toyota vehicles are widely recognized for performance and driving dynamics, but they do not fit the classic muscle-car category.
- Toyota 2000GT (1967–1970) — a front-engine, rear-wheel-drive grand tourer that influenced future performance cars, not a muscle car.
- Toyota MR2 (1984–2007) — a mid-engine sports car emphasizing handling and balance over sheer power.
- Toyota Celica (1970–2006) — a sporty coupe with rally heritage, evolving through generations but not a muscle car.
- Toyota Supra (A70, A80, A90 generations) — a legendary performance car that evolved into the modern GR Supra through collaboration with BMW.
- Toyota GT86 / Toyota GR86 (2012–present in many markets) — a lightweight, rear-wheel-drive sports coupe focused on driving engagement.
- Toyota GR lineup (GR Yaris, GR Corolla, GR Supra, GR86) — modern, track-inspired performance models built for agility and speed, not the traditional muscle-car formula.
These examples show Toyota’s emphasis on engineering-driven performance rather than replicating the classic muscle-car archetype.
Has Toyota ever produced a “muscle” project or model?
No official Toyota model has been categorized as a traditional muscle car. Toyota has, however, pursued high-performance variants and a dedicated racing-bred division. In recent years, the Gazoo Racing (GR) brand has introduced a family of performance cars aimed at enthusiasts, focusing on handling, power delivery, and driver engagement rather than the historical American muscle-car recipe.
GR: a modern path to performance
Under the GR banner, Toyota has pursued a performance strategy that prioritizes lightweight design, turbocharged power, and advanced chassis tuning. This includes several high-profile models that appeal to performance fans worldwide, though none fit the “muscle car” label.
- GR Supra — a jointly developed, turbocharged performance coupe built with BMW that emphasizes straight-line and track capability.
- GR86 — a light, balanced sports coupe focused on steering feel and cornering grip.
- GR Yaris — a rally-inspired hot hatch with turbo power and all-wheel drive in many markets.
- GR Corolla — a hot hatch tune-focused on traction, power, and agility.
These models illustrate Toyota’s modern interpretation of performance: capable, engaging, and technologically advanced, but not the large, V8-powered muscle cars that defined a generation in the United States.
Bottom line
Toyota has never released a traditional muscle car. The brand’s history of performance centers on sports cars, rally-influenced designs, and modern GR models that emphasize agility, balance, and advanced engineering rather than the classic muscle-car blueprint.
Summary
In the classic sense of a muscle car, Toyota did not produce one. Instead, Toyota built a reputation for reliability and efficiency, complemented by a robust performance lineage that evolved into today’s Gazoo Racing lineup. For enthusiasts seeking raw American muscle, the options typically lie with Detroit brands; for those chasing precise handling, turbocharged power, and track-ready dynamics, Toyota offers a compelling alternative through its GR models.
Did Toyota ever make a sports car?
Yes, Toyota has multiple sports cars, with the most prominent being the GR Supra and the GR86. The GR Supra is a performance-focused coupe with a powerful turbocharged engine, while the GR86 is a more affordable, driver-focused car known for its agile handling and sporty design. Toyota also offers the GR Yaris, a high-performance hot hatch developed with motorsport expertise, notes Toyota UK.
Toyota sports car models
- GR Supra: A high-performance sports coupe with an available 382-horsepower turbocharged inline-six engine, a rear-wheel drive system, and a finely tuned suspension.
- GR86: An affordable, rear-wheel-drive sports coupe powered by a 2.4L engine that produces 228 horsepower. It's known for its engaging and agile driving experience.
- GR Yaris: A high-performance hot hatch that was developed with the Toyota Gazoo Racing World Rally Team.
Key features
- GR Supra:
- Engine: 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six
- Performance: Capable of reaching 0−600 minus 600−60 mph in approximately 4 seconds, depending on the model.
- GR86:
- Engine: 2.4L flat-four engine
- Performance: Reaches 0−600 minus 600−60 mph in about 6.1 seconds
- Features: Available with a six-speed manual or automatic transmission, comfortable seating for four, and a sporty interior design
- GR Yaris:
- Performance: Engineered with cutting-edge motorsport technology
- Drive: All-wheel drive
What Toyota has a V8?
Toyota currently offers V8 engines in the Lexus LC 500 and other high-performance Lexus models. For its Toyota-branded vehicles, the brand has phased out V8s in models like the Tundra and Sequoia, which now feature twin-turbo V6 engines, but a new twin-turbo V8 is in development for future performance and large SUVs, according to recent reports.
Current V8 Toyota/Lexus models
- Lexus LC 500: This sports coupe comes with a 5.0-liter V8 engine.
- Lexus RC F and GS F: These models also use the 5.0-liter V8 engine.
Previous V8 Toyota models
- Toyota Tundra: V8s were offered until 2021, replaced by a twin-turbo V6.
- Toyota Sequoia: The V8 was available until 2022, replaced by a twin-turbo V6 hybrid.
- Toyota Land Cruiser: Older generations offered a V8 engine.
Future V8 models
- Toyota has confirmed a new twin-turbo V8 hybrid engine is in development and will be featured in future high-performance cars and larger models, including potential new versions of the Land Cruiser, Tundra, Sequoia, and Lexus models like the GX and LX.
Did Toyota ever make a muscle car?
The Toyota Celica Was Japan's Answer To American Muscle Cars
The Toyota 2000GT, Japan's first supercar developed with help from Yamaha, was exquisite, but it wasn't exactly a practical offering like the American muscle cars of the era.
What is Toyota's sportiest car?
The sportiest Toyota is generally considered to be the GR Supra, but the GR Corolla and GR86 are also strong contenders for the title. All these models fall under the Toyota Gazoo Racing (GR) banner, which signifies they are engineered for performance.
- GR Supra: A pure sports car, it is often cited as the fastest and sportiest, with high performance and an iconic silhouette.
- GR Corolla: A high-performance hot hatch inspired by rally racing, it offers 300 horsepower and a versatile GR-FOUR all-wheel-drive system.
- GR86: A rear-wheel-drive sports coupe engineered for responsive handling, making every drive feel exciting.
