There’s a reason why Japanese cars do so well in the US, and its called JDM, aka the Japanese Domestic Market. There always have been firm JDM fans since the start of the automotive industry and the craze grew after the patriotic fervor subsided post-WWII. But its movies like The Fast & Furious franchise and actors like Paul Walker that have created a much bigger JDM fanbase today by showcasing the cars.

Other than the Toyota Supra and Nissan GT-Rs, one car that has been doing rounds in the JDM car circuit in recent times is the Toyota Cresta, a mid-sized luxury car that offered both luxury and performance for buyers in Japan, minus major taxes because of its smaller size.

It was introduced in 1980 and production ceased in 2001, meaning that the 25-year-old waiting period on all JDM cars is over even for the ‘90s models, so they can be imported now, making for an awesome sporty drive even with a 25-year-old engine…

The Origin Of The Cresta

Other Than The Toyota Supra Sans Nissan GT-Rs, One Car That Has Been Doing Rounds In JDM Car Circuit In Recent Times Is The Toyota Cresta
via Car.Info

Launched in 1980 in Japan, the Cresta shared its chassis with the already existing Toyota Mark II. The Mark II was sold in some markets as the Toyota Corona Mark II (which sounds like a very unfortunate name for 2020) and also as the Toyota Cressida. While the Cressida was sold in North American markets and more, the Cresta always remained a domestic Japanese car. Many in the US still believe that the Cressida should make a comeback, and ergo, so should the Cresta.

The Cresta was a Cressida or a Mark II only, but with far more luxury added in, almost like a luxurious trim. Another of its siblings was the Toyota Chaser and as the name suggests, the latter was a performance-oriented version of the Mark II, as a Japanese muscle car.

All these trims of the same car let the Toyota Crown develop into a far more premium vehicle, while the Cressida, Cresta, and the Chaser's smaller size let them exist as cheaper, mid-market cars.

When it comes to nomenclature, Cresta means crest in Italian and Spanish, and a crest is an ornament in the center or top of helmets. In the world of the Mark II, the Cresta was the crowning glory.

RELATED: 20 JDM Cars Everyone Should Drive At Least Once

The Years Of Toyota Cresta

The Toyota Cresta Was A Step Below Toyota’s Flagship Luxury Sedan, The Crown
via OutstandingCars

The first Cresta generation was dubbed the X50-X60 series and existed from 1989 to 1984. Both the Cresta and the Chaser were only sold via the Toyota Vista stores in Japan. The Cresta was a step below Toyota’s flagship luxury sedan, the Crown, and was targeted towards buyers who wanted a luxury sedan but did not want to pay taxes through their nose for it. The engine was limited to a 2.0-liter displacement and so was the car body’s size: under 4.7m long, 1.7m wide, and 2m high. It came with halogen headlamps for a more sporty and European feel and the SOHC 2.0-liter engine came with an automatic transmission.

It was marketed with luxurious trim names as well and the top trims boasted a two-tone paint to appeal to a younger crowd.

The Cresta entered its second generation in 1984 as the X70 and underwent body and engine changes to keep up with the times. By 1988, the X80, the third generation Cresta, boasted its top trim with a supercharger, and the hardtop body was gone too. The Cresta truly looked sporty now.

By 1992, the Cresta was in its fourth generation as the X90 and no longer a compact car under Japanese car dimension regulations. Trims were made differently and there were several updates made to the engines as well to continue keeping the Cresta as a viable sedan.

RELATED: 10 Car Models That Toyota No Longer Makes

Lexus & The End Of The Cresta

From The Sheer Success Of The Toyota Cresta, Toyota Created Another Wildly Successful Marque, The Lexus With Its Flagship Car, The Lexus LS
via WheelsAge

When the Cresta was launched in 1980, as a more luxury version of the Cressida, buyers lapped it all up. This made Toyota sit up and think about diversification into the global luxury car market. In 1983, Toyota launched the clandestine project called F1, as in flagship Number 1, to develop a luxury vehicle targeted towards international markets.

So from the sheer success of the Toyota Cresta, Toyota created another wildly successful marque, the Lexus that it launched with its flagship car, the Lexus LS.

In 1996, Cresta entered its third and final generation, the X100 series. By now, the car had lived its life and sales weren’t all that hot anymore, so the Cresta and the Chaser were merged as one car, the Toyota Verossa, in 2001 but by 2004, this too had been retired in favor of the Toyota Mark X.

That said; it makes for a wonderful JDM today, with enough engine power, looks, and luxury to appeal to even someone who is not particularly into importing Japanese classics. Plus, at under $10,000 for one, it won't even cost you an arm and a leg like some JDMs can.

Sources: Road And Track, JDM Sports Classics, Hemmings, Lexus, Toyota

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