Toyota Cressida returns to Gulf

Published: 06 April 2025

DOHA, NT Bureau: In a video circulating on Arabic social media, news has emerged of the return of the Toyota Cressida, a Gulf legend from the 1980s that disappeared from production in the 1990s.

Toyota began manufacturing the Cressida in 1976, and just one year later, the company began exporting it to global markets. It subsequently achieved great success, particularly in the Arab region and the US, where the car was described as “the best new car on the market, free of problems and defects.”

With the introduction of the new Lexus brand in 1989, Toyota discontinued production of the Cressida in 1992. However, the Cressida remained popular among consumers, particularly in the Gulf, as a car that underestimated its success, characterized by its low breakdowns and tremendous speed.

In the circulated video, the 2026 Cressida appears with a completely new and modern design, with LED headlights and a sporty look.