New Toyota models the Drive team wants to see in Australia

Toyota is by far and away a powerhouse in Australia, having recently secured another year as the nation's most-popular car brand – a position it has enjoyed for 23 consecutive years.

Why is Toyota so popular in Australia? The wide assortment of models in all shapes and sizes, and across various price points, coupled with its reliable reputation, pioneering hybrid powertrains, and the biggest dealer footprint of any brand simply means its easy to recommend a Toyota product.

But that doesn't mean the Japanese marque is perfect, at least here in Australia, where it is missing some key products that could make it even better.

So here are the models the Drive team would like to see in Toyota Australia showrooms, and why it would make sense.

The huge success of the Kia Carnival is no doubt built atop the back of the original big-family staple: the Toyota Tarago.

While the Tarago died in Australia in 2019, it continues to live on as the Estima in its local Japanese market.

And now powered by a proven and frugal hybrid powertrain, what's not to like? It's packaging is excellent (like a Carnival), giving huge levels of comfort and practicality across all three rows.

The fact you see so many on the road still, both through direct and 'grey' import channels, speaks to the market heritage and no doubt success of this model, if it ever returned to Australia. 

Give the almighty Kia Carnival some serious competition, at least.

It may have pioneered hybrid technology for the masses, but Toyota Prius styling over the years has ranged from bland to downright unattractive. Until now.

Yet it's the latest-generation car that is the first not to be sold here. It's a decision I'd like to think was made before Toyota Australia saw the design of the new car, because – in the photos and in the metal – it's sleek, sporty and, dare I say it, cool.

Sales of small passenger cars aren't what they used to be, but I could see a four-model Prius line-up working well – two conventional hybrids, a rideshare-focused 1.8-litre base Ascent and a private buyer-oriented 2.0-litre ZR, alongside plug-in hybrid versions of each, as Toyota's stepping stone into PHEV tech.

The UK has already backflipped on its decision not to sell the new Prius. Given the way hybrid sales are going in Australia, why can't we follow suit?

There are so many options here, it’s hard to pick one. Prius, Crown, Tacoma, Sequoia, 4Runner, Grand Highlander, Alphard, Vellfire, Sienta… the list goes on! Out of them all, I’d love to see the Crown Sport mid-size SUV sold in Australia. 

Toyota Australia would likely argue the Crown Sport is too close to the platform-sharing Lexus NX – and considering it sold more than 50,000 RAV4 Hybrids in 2024, it already has the segment well and truly covered. 

However, the Crown Sport could be an excellent test-bed for Toyota to launch its first plug-in hybrid vehicle in Australia – with its attractive design as a bonus selling point. 

There have even been comparisons between the styling of the Crown Sport and Ferrari Purosangue – with one Japanese tuner, Aero Over, recently launching a body kit to make the Toyota look even more like a Ferrari.

(The Crown Sport was unveiled in July 2022, while the Purosangue appeared two months later, so the similarities are merely coincidental – but the Toyota did come first…)

The five-seat Crown Estate – also called Crown Signia – is a close runner-up to give Toyota a Subaru Outback rival in Australia, along with one of the Alphard/Vellfire hybrid twins to replace the slow-selling HiAce-based Granvia. 

4Runner

Ignoring the LHD-exclusive build, the large size, lifestyle focus and off-road capability of the US-market Toyota 4Runner would no doubt be a winner for Australian drivers. Blend that with a strong enthusiast and aftermarket following, and the 4Runner almost feels like it belongs here.

Grand Highlander (Kluger)

A bigger version of the top-selling family seven-seater with a hybrid option? Sign up Australian suburban driveways up and down the east-coast! The Grand Highlander would give the Hyundai Palisade a run for its money in terms of large-format practicality, and would no-doubt find a winning secondary market as a silver-service / black-car premium taxi platform.

Land Cruiser 70-Series SWB

Jimny who? Bring in the three-door 70 – ideally with an FRP style removable top – and mark a return to the fun-loving Bundera badge! Bright colours, cool decals, and that 4.0-litre petrol V6 – what's not to love!

There's no doubt the move from Tarago to Granvia has impacted Toyota's popularity in the people mover segment, given the latter is based on the agricultural HiAce and starts from $68,306 before on-road costs.

Sure, the Alphard might be even more expensive, given its more upmarket appeal and more modern underpinnings, but with petrol-electric hybrid powertrain options, a plush interior, and futuristic styling, it might be a quiet achiever.

With Kia Carnival finding 10,000-plus buyers last year, it's not like there wouldn't be a buyer base.

Tung Nguyen has been in the automotive journalism industry for over a decade, cutting his teeth at various publications before finding himself at Drive in 2024. With experience in news, feature, review, and advice writing, as well as video presentation skills, Tung is a do-it-all content creator. Tung’s love of cars first started as a child watching Transformers on Saturday mornings, as well as countless hours on PlayStation’s Gran Turismo, meaning his dream car is a Nissan GT-R, with a Liberty Walk widebody kit, of course.

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