With Toyota having a diverse line-up not available in their home country, we shall discover what the rest of the world drives. This also includes their Lexus and Daihatsu subsidiaries, as they have a number of vehicles not for sale in Japan. Before we start, current model line-up vehicles will be counted here and since Japan does not anymore dig pick-up trucks, they would not be listed here.
First on our list is Toyota..
Toyota 4Runner
One of the original PPVs (pick-up passenger vehicle) around the market, the 4Runner (or the Hilux Surf for the Japanese market) is basically a Hilux pickup whose bed is substituted with an enclosed cargo space. Although built in Japan, you cannot buy this car brand new in the domestic market. Some markets in North and South America still have this on sale.
Toyota Agya/Wigo (Daihatsu Ayla)
Sold in several ASEAN markets such as Indonesia (both Daihatsu and Toyota names are used), Philippines, and Malaysia (using the Perodua name), the Toyota Agya is the Japanese brand's answer to Indonesia's Low Cost Green Car program which required entrant vehicles to meet a fuel consumption quota and a minimum engine displacement.
Toyota Avalon
You may not know that the first two generation models from 1995 to 1999 and 2000 were sold in Japan but as imports from Kentucky, USA. Poor sales caused to discontinue this vehicle as there are similar vehicles that filled that void in the home market. You can buy this full size sedan in certain markets such as the USA, Canada, Puerto Rico, Middle East, and South Korea.
Toyota Avanza (Daihatsu Xenia)
Developed as an entry level MPV to the Innova, the Avanza (also sold as a Daihatsu in Indonesia) comes cheap and unlike the larger models, it does not come with diesel engines. Currently, it is available in most of ASEAN, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Egypt, and certain Central American and African nations.
Toyota Aygo
Built alongside the similar Citroen C1 and Peugeot 107/108 in Czech Republic, this hatchback aimed primarily for the European market and with the two French carmakers producing this hatchback to share development costs. The trio had been sold since 2005 and has released its second generation model in 2014.
Toyota Calya (Daihatsu Sigra)
Based on the Wigo platform, this mini MPV is the cheapest one in Toyota's line-up to carry seven people and is slotted below the Avanza. It was a hit, but at the expense of the much larger brother vehicles. For now, only the Indonesian market has this forbidden fruit to the Japanese, similar to its rival the Daihatsu Go+.
Toyota Corolla (outside Japan)
If the Corolla catered to the Japanese markets are compact sized, outside of its hometown reveals a much larger one and is primarily driven by nearly everyone on the planet. Think of this: a JDM Corolla Axio (sedan version) is the equivalent of a Philippine market Vios in terms of overall package.
Toyota Etios
Introduced in several emerging automotive markets such as India, Brazil, South Africa, and Indonesia, the Etios is available in three body styles: sedan, hatchback, and crossover. It competes with the likes of the Suzuki Swift Dzire and Honda Brio Amaze in the Indian market.
Developed under the IMV program (alongside the Innova and Hilux) whose platforms are shared, the Fortuner replaced the Hilux Surf in several markets with some being sold alongside the latter vehicle. If the Surf has restricted itself in the Americas, the Fortuner is mostly sold in Asia, Australia, Africa, and oddly, certain South American markets.
One of the first crossover (car-based) SUVs to be sold in North America, the Highlander (or Kluger for Australia) became a success for Toyota but not in Japan, as the first generation model was treated a luxury model due to its size. The second generation models and beyond aren't offered in its home market ever since.
A member of the IMV platform that is intended for markets outside Japan, the Innova replaced the long running but popular Kijang MPV sold in most ASEAN markets. It would be to large and unfitting to be sold in its home country, whereas its developed for countries with poor road conditions.
Basically a Citroen Jumpy/Peugeot Expert but wearing a Japanese badge, this Europe exclusive vehicle is sold as a van. While it joined the family in 2013 (halfway its life cycle from 2007), it now received a third generation model in 2016. For the Japanese market, Daihatsu vans intended for commercial usage is present alongside the Hiace.
Interestingly enough, the fourth generation model (pictured above) isn't offered to the Japanese but it is assembled there for export. Rather, the third generation model (both available in short and long wheelbases, the latter called the Vanguard) is sold for ten years straight so we guess we are lucky to have the latest model.
Developed as a rival to the likes of the Ford Expedition and Chevrolet Tahoe, the Sequoia is based on the Tundra full size pick-up and slots below the Land Cruiser in terms of price. Currently, you can buy this SUV in North America and the Middle East.
Replacing the unloved Previa for the North American market, the Sienna shares its platform with the Camry and became a best seller there. Too large for the Japanese market, as the US wants more space inside.
Toyota Fortuner
Developed under the IMV program (alongside the Innova and Hilux) whose platforms are shared, the Fortuner replaced the Hilux Surf in several markets with some being sold alongside the latter vehicle. If the Surf has restricted itself in the Americas, the Fortuner is mostly sold in Asia, Australia, Africa, and oddly, certain South American markets.
Toyota Highlander
One of the first crossover (car-based) SUVs to be sold in North America, the Highlander (or Kluger for Australia) became a success for Toyota but not in Japan, as the first generation model was treated a luxury model due to its size. The second generation models and beyond aren't offered in its home market ever since.
Toyota Innova
A member of the IMV platform that is intended for markets outside Japan, the Innova replaced the long running but popular Kijang MPV sold in most ASEAN markets. It would be to large and unfitting to be sold in its home country, whereas its developed for countries with poor road conditions.
Toyota Proace
Toyota RAV4
Interestingly enough, the fourth generation model (pictured above) isn't offered to the Japanese but it is assembled there for export. Rather, the third generation model (both available in short and long wheelbases, the latter called the Vanguard) is sold for ten years straight so we guess we are lucky to have the latest model.
Toyota Sequoia
Developed as a rival to the likes of the Ford Expedition and Chevrolet Tahoe, the Sequoia is based on the Tundra full size pick-up and slots below the Land Cruiser in terms of price. Currently, you can buy this SUV in North America and the Middle East.
Toyota Sienna
Replacing the unloved Previa for the North American market, the Sienna shares its platform with the Camry and became a best seller there. Too large for the Japanese market, as the US wants more space inside.
Toyota Verso
This MPV which competes with the likes of the Opel Zafira is mostly sold in the European market although you can buy this in Israel, China, and South Africa. A Corolla platform underpins this vehicle.
Toyota Vios/Yaris
A best seller in certain ASEAN countries, the Vios now takes the place that the Corolla used to fill in certain locales. Bringing this to Japan makes it redundant as they get the similarly sized Corolla Axio there. Its hatchback counterpart, the Yaris, whose platform is shared is different from what the Japanese market has.
Toyota Yaris iA/Yaris R
The sedan derivative of the Mazda Demio (only the hatchback is sold in Japan), the Yaris IA is previously sold as a Scion before reverting as a Toyota in 2016 for the North American market.
A best seller in certain ASEAN countries, the Vios now takes the place that the Corolla used to fill in certain locales. Bringing this to Japan makes it redundant as they get the similarly sized Corolla Axio there.
PS: The Mazda equivalent model is a forbidden fruit in Japan, too.
PS: The Mazda equivalent model is a forbidden fruit in Japan, too.
Toyota Yaris Ativ
Based on the current Vios but sold a segment lower to fulfill Thailand's Eco Car Program, the recently launched Yaris Ativ has a 1.2 engine shared with its hatchback counterpart and has a wide range of safety kit regardless of price.
Let's go and discover Lexus models not available in Japan..
Lexus ES
From October 1991 until March 2006, the Lexus ES is sold in Japan as the Toyota Windom (the Lexus brand isn't available July 2005) and it is assembled there for export with the introduction of the fifth generation model in 2006.
Lexus GX
Basically a Land Cruiser Prado with a luxurious interior and a higher price tag, the GX is assembled in Japan but the Japanese market cannot have this one since they get the more pedestrian version.
And last on our list, Daihatsu models..
Daihatsu Luxio
A luxurious (the name says it all) version of the Hijet minivan only sold in Indonesia, it has an improved interior to distinguish itself from its commercial spec variants and has a taller and wider profile.
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