Toyota is the largest manufacturer in the Japanese domestic market by volume, which means it also produces the widest range of JDM-only vehicles that the UK never officially received. The UK gets the Yaris, Corolla, RAV4, and Land Cruiser. Japan gets those, plus an MPV lineup that ranges from the compact Sienta to the flagship Alphard, a luxury saloon range that includes the Crown and the Century, a turbo rear-drive sports saloon in the Mark X, and a micro MPV in the JPN Taxi. The depth of the JDM Toyota range is staggering.
This list covers five Toyota imports that represent the best of what the UK market is missing. The selection is deliberately broad: a family MPV, a luxury saloon, a hybrid, a performance car, and a practical estate. All are available in 2026 at reasonable prices.
1. Toyota Alphard Hybrid (AH20 / AH30)
The MPV that no UK manufacturer can match.
The Alphard has appeared on multiple lists in this content series, and it deserves to lead this one too. No UK-market vehicle offers the combination of seven-seat space, hybrid economy, interior quality, and passenger comfort that the Alphard delivers. The AH20 hybrid (2011-2015) starts at approximately £12,000 delivered; the AH30 hybrid (2015-2023) typically lands at £22,000-30,000 delivered, with condition the key variable.
The Alphard is the Toyota import that converts the most sceptics. People who arrive at a viewing thinking ‘it is just an MPV’ leave understanding why the Alphard commands a cult following.
- Best buy: 2012-2015 AH20 Hybrid G facelift, £12,000-16,000 delivered.
- ULEZ: Compliant.
- Economy: 35-48mpg depending on generation.
2. Toyota Crown Athlete (S210)
The rear-drive turbo saloon that Toyota keeps for Japan.
The S210 Crown Athlete (2012-2018) is Toyota’s flagship JDM saloon: rear-wheel drive, 2.0-litre turbo (8AR-FTS) producing 232bhp, eight-speed automatic, and an interior that sits between the Lexus IS and LS in quality and ambition. Toyota didn’t export the Crown for decades and only resumed exports with the current S230 generation; the S210 was strictly Japan-domestic, which means it exists in a strange blind spot: one of the best-built saloons in the world, and virtually unknown outside Japan.
The Crown drives like a smaller Lexus GS — the GS shares the S210’s platform. The ride is composed, the cabin is quiet, and the turbo engine provides adequate performance without drama. It is not a sports car; it is a gentleman’s express, designed for the kind of relaxed, high-quality driving that Japanese executives expect on the highway between Tokyo and Osaka.
Why it is here: The Crown is the Toyota import that most directly competes with European luxury saloons, and it costs a third of the price.
- Best buy: 2015-2018 S210 Crown Athlete 2.0T, £10,000-16,000 delivered.
- ULEZ: Euro 5/6 on 2014+ examples. Compliant.
- Economy: 28-34mpg.
3. Toyota Noah / Voxy Hybrid (R80)
The practical seven-seater for half the Alphard price.
The R80 Noah/Voxy hybrid (2014-2022) is the rational alternative to the Alphard for families who need seven seats but do not need the full luxury experience. The 1.8-litre hybrid powertrain returns 42-52mpg; the sliding doors and flat floor make child access and cargo loading straightforward; and the price (£10,000-14,000 delivered) is competitive with a used Ford Galaxy or SEAT Alhambra while offering better fuel economy and equivalent interior space.
Why it is here: The Noah hybrid is the Toyota import with the broadest appeal. It is not glamorous, but it is excellent at its job, and the job it does (carrying a family efficiently) is the one most UK buyers actually need.
- Best buy: 2016-2019 Noah Hybrid G, £10,000-14,000 delivered.
- ULEZ: Compliant.
- Economy: 42-52mpg.
4. Toyota Mark X (GRX130)
The rear-drive V6 saloon that is basically a Lexus IS without the badge.
The Mark X X130 (2009-2019) is the successor to the Mark II, and it is the closest thing Toyota builds to a European sports saloon. The 2.5-litre V6 (4GR-FSE, 200bhp; chassis code GRX130) or 3.5-litre V6 (2GR-FSE, 314bhp; chassis code GRX133) drives the rear wheels through a six-speed automatic. The chassis is shared with the Lexus IS and GS; the driving experience is comparable.
The Mark X is not an overtly sporty car. It is refined, comfortable, and composed, with enough rear-drive handling balance to be engaging on a good road without being demanding in traffic. The 3.5 V6 variant is genuinely quick; the 2.5 V6 is the rational daily driver.
Why it is here: The Mark X is the Toyota import for people who want a rear-drive saloon and do not want to pay Lexus prices. It is also one of the most undervalued JDM imports in any brand’s lineup.
- Best buy: 2012-2016 GRX130 Mark X 250G S Package (2.5 V6), £7,000-12,000 delivered. The GRX133 350S (3.5 V6) is £9,000-15,000.
- ULEZ: All X130 examples (2009 onwards) meet Euro 4 or better and should be ULEZ compliant.
- Economy: 26-32mpg (2.5); 22-28mpg (3.5).
5. Toyota Caldina GT-Four (ST246)
The Celica GT-Four engine in an estate car.
The ST246 Caldina GT-Four (2002-2007) appeared in the AWD wagons list, and it closes this list because it represents something Toyota does better than any other manufacturer: take a proven performance powertrain and install it in an unexpected body. The latest evolution of the 3S-GTE turbo engine made famous by the Celica GT-Four, 256bhp, full-time AWD, four-speed automatic (no manual was ever offered in the ST246), compact estate body. It is the Toyota import that most surprises people who think Toyota is a conservative manufacturer.
Why it is here: The Caldina GT-Four is the Toyota that nobody outside the JDM community knows about, and the one that most deserves to be known. It is the enthusiast’s Toyota import.
- Best buy: 2002-2007 ST246 Caldina GT-Four (four-speed automatic, the only factory option), £6,000-10,000 delivered.
- ULEZ: Euro 3 on essentially all factory ST246 examples — not ULEZ compliant. Plan for the daily charge or keep the car outside the zone.
- Economy: 22-28mpg.
What about the Supra?
The A80 Supra is the most famous Toyota import and, like the GT-R, does not need to be on this list because everyone already knows about it. It is also not a car that most UK buyers should consider: these days, clean examples exceed £60,000, the 2JZ-GTE demands specialist maintenance, and the insurance costs are substantial.
The cars on this list are the Toyotas that deserve attention for reasons other than poster-car fame. They are more affordable, more practical, and in most cases more relevant to how UK buyers actually use their cars. The Supra is extraordinary; these five are excellent.
How to buy a Toyota import in the UK
The best way to import any vehicle on this list is to find yourself a BIMTA-registered importer. You can find our full article on how to import here.
Toyota is the most commonly imported brand in the UK JDM market, which means importer experience is generally excellent and parts availability is the best of any JDM manufacturer. The hybrid battery health report is essential for the Alphard and Noah hybrids; the turbo inspection is essential for the Crown Athlete and Caldina GT-Four.