10 Times Toyota Cars Made Iconic Movie Appearances

Before Toyota's Gazoo Racing started spraying its magic all over the Japanese carmaker's model lineup, Toyota cars were mostly unremarkable. Sure, they are dependable and more often than now, well-built, but most Toyotas aren't what you would call thrilling.

That said, the company has certainly had its epic moments and lately, Toyota is giving us some of the more exciting performance cars on the market. The Toyota Supra's GRMN variant is around the corner and the GR Yaris’ punchy, three-cylinder turbo is about to motivate even more Toyota models.  

The cinematic appearances of Toyota vehicles are too many to count. It comes with being the largest vehicle manufacturer in the world. That said, I went and gathered the 10 most iconic appearances of Toyota vehicles in cinema.  

Toyota Supra Mk4 – Fast and Furious (Multiple movies) 



The Toyota Supra Mk4 is one of the most iconic JDM sports cars. The combination of exceptional chassis and overengineered straight-six engine made a true icon. However, it was pop culture that solidified the Supra as an automotive icon, and it was thanks to the Fast and Furious movies.

Toyota Supra made a couple of appearances in the F&F movies, with the orange 1994 model being owned by F&F technical advisor, Craig Lieberman. The same car was featured in the second movie while the seventh installment saw a white 1993 hardtop model. 

Toyota Hilux SR-5 Xtra Cab – Back To The Future 

When talking about the cars from Back to the Future movies, most people's mind immediately goes to the DeLorean DMC-12. However, for me, the real star is Marty McFly's 1985 Toyota Hilux SR5. The black pickup truck is lifted, looks menacing and unlike the DeLorean, it is dependable.

The KC Daylighter spotlights mounted on top, the bull bar, and steel wheels with locking center hubs at the front give the Toyota truck a mean attitude. To add to the truck's charm, it also has a five-speed manual. 

Toyota Corolla AE86 – Initial D 

 

A lot of car enthusiasts are emfatuated with Japanese anime series like Initial D. Sme among them also know there is also a live action movie, revolving around the same characters. Inspired and directed by Keiichi Tsuchiya – the Drift King – the movie is a classic story of an underdog.

The underdog being the Toyota Corolla AE86, also known as an Apex-spec, Panda Trueno. The movie accurately portrays how the little Toyota and its talented driver push the little car and its 4A-GE engine to the absolute limit, defeating much more powerful cars. Since, this previously overlooked, JDM vehicle has become an icon, and prices are reflecting it.  

Toyota Tundra – Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines 

Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines saw young Kyle Reese driving a Toyota Tundra pickup truck while running from the T-X model Terminator. While the scene was epic, no one knows the exact spec of the Toyota Tundra used in it.

That said, in 2003, Toyota used the opportunity to cash in on that fame and bring out a limited-edition Toyota Tundra T3 edition. The blacked-out truck had a menacing look and was motivated by a 4.7-liter V-8, pumping out 255 horsepower at 4,800 RPM and 325 pound-feet at 3,400 RPM. It also featured a four-speed automatic and part-time four-wheel-drive system. 

Toyota GT86: Fast and Furious (Multiple movies) 



In another genius move, Toyota came up with a spiritual successor to the AE86 Corolla. The GT86, 86, or more recently, the GR86, brought a worthy alternative to the Mazda MX-5 Miata. Like other Toyota sports cars, the 86 was extensively featured in different cinema productions.

To no surprise, the Fast and Furious franchise is among them, and the GT86 was featured in at least three of the iconic movies, in both stock and modified form.

Toyota GT-One – Cars 2 

One of the more subtle entrances is Shu Todoroki. That's the name of one of the characters in Pixar's Cars 2. He was portrayed as a Toyota GT-One, which Lightning McQueen raced in Italy.

The Toyota GT-one scored a white paint job with red accents and started from fourth position on the grid. In real life, the Toyota GT-One is motivated by a 3.6-liter, twin-turbo V-8, producing 600 horsepower and 479 pound-feet. 

Toyota GR Supra – Fast 9 



After the Mk4 Toyota Supra's consistent appearance in the Fast and Furious franchise, the GR Supra was bound to appear as well. It did so in the ninth installment of the movie franchise, as Sung Kang's character ride of choice.

It even scored a similar orange and black color theme, mimicking the character's Mazda RX-7 FD. There are no detailed specs on the movie car, so we have to assume it was not modified. Even so, the GR Supra is capable enough and a more powerful, track-focused Supra GRMN is on the way. 

Toyota Land Cruiser 80 Series – Moon Knight 



Moon Knight is one of the more recent TV series and while it doesn't have anything to do with cars, there are a few notable vehicles featured. In episode 6, we can spot an 80 Series Toyota Land Cruiser. Long before the 2024 Land Cruiser's hybrid powertrain, the J80 model was widely regarded as one of the most iconic and rugged generations of the Japanese SUV. No details are available on the exact vehicle used in the series, but it was reportedly a cheap, worse-for-wear example.  

Toyota 2000GT – James Bond: You Only Live Twice 

Toyota 2000GT is one of the most iconic Japanese sports cars from the 1960s and 1970s. It was also one of the first cars to combine the efforts of Toyota and Yamaha – a tradition that still continues. Like its more contemporary counterparts, the 2000GT was also made famous through pop culture. Which actor is the best James Bond is a debate that still stands, but Sean Connery is a strong candidate no doubt.

The 1967, You Only Live Twice was filmed in Japan, and while none of the 351 examples of Toyota 2000GT were convertibles, Toyota produced an additional two, specially for the movie. Neither of them had functional convertible tops, instead featuring tonneau covers that mimicked a folded soft top. 

Toyota SR-5 (Pizza Planet Truck) – Toy Story 

The Toyota SR-5 is a popular platform not just in real life, but also in animated movies. It was portrayed as a 1978 Gyoza Mk VIII Lite Hauler, Pizza Planet delivery truck in various Disney and Pixar productions, including Monsters.inc, Finding Nemo, Toy Story, and Cars (as Todd). Interestingly enough, people are enjoying replicating this truck, with its signature yellow paint, white bed cover, and roof-mounted rocket.  

Which one was your favorite?  

About the author

 Dimitar Angelov's automotive interests made him an expert in a wide variety of vehicles. Japanese brands like Toyota are closest to his heart, although performance cars in general are his favorite segment, which is why he is constantly on the lookout for the best deals on the market. Dimitar Angelov's car passion and knack for the written word led him to complete a Master of Arts in Media and Communications, and classic car restoration. Dim is happy to get behind the wheel of any car and share his impressions. You can follow Dimitar on X, Linked-in, Instagram, and Facebook.

Image source:

Toyota Supra Fast & Furious: János Tamás on commons.wikimedia.org / Creative commons

Toyota Corolla AE86: 2igata on commons.wikimedia.org / Creative commons