It’s always fun looking at familiar brands’ websites for different markets, isn’t it? Before the days of the internet, we had to rely on the occasional news piece in our domestic magazines or an annual compilation book like the Deutsche Autokatalog. Now, thanks to the wonders of the internet, we can simply Google, say, “Toyota Japan” and see what the world’s largest automaker sells in their homeland. In this series, we’ll take a brief look at present-day cars not sold in the North American market and you can decide whether you are missing out. First, the Toyota Mark X.
Rear-wheel-drive was once commonplace among non-luxury brands but now it’s a rarity. This is a shame if you prefer the feel and the handling characteristics of this layout, like I do. In the US, if you want a mainstream mid- or full-size RWD sedan, you are limited to the Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger, capable yet ageing vehicles, or the floaty Kia K900. I used to brag that, while you Americans were stuck with Luminas and Sebrings, we had a whole range of rear-wheel-drive Ford Falcons and Holden Commodores down here to choose from. Sadly, that will no longer be the case after this year, although Kia is introducing the exciting Stinger sport sedan soon. In the meantime, Japanese and Chinese customers have another option in the Mark X.
The first generation Mark X directly replaced the Verossa in 2004. This was a controversially restyled Mark II (formerly known as the Cressida elsewhere), and replaced the sporty and luxury versions of the Mark II – Chaser and Cresta, respectively – which were sold through Toyota’s various separate dealership networks.
(from top to bottom right) Mark II Blit, Mark II, Brevis and Progrés
The Mark X’s arrival coincided with the introduction of the Lexus brand in Japan and the clearing out of old nameplates. Since its introduction, Toyota’s domestic rear-wheel-drive sedan range has been whittled down further. The Mark II (and Mark II Blit wagon) and the Lexus IS-derived Brevis and Progrés were all axed in 2007, while the Celsior, Altezza and Aristo all adopted Lexus badges (LS, IS and GS). The iconic Century expired in 2016, while the Comfort (nee Crown Comfort) followed it in 2017. This leaves just the Mark X and the sprawling Crown range.
Confusingly, the Mark X Zio was a mechanically unrelated, semi-premium front-wheel-drive minivan.
The Mark X retained the Mark II’s X platform designation but there are varying reports as to what the car is mechanically related to. By some accounts, it’s kin to the Crown and third-generation Lexus GS, the latter of which it shares its wheelbase length with, while others say it rides a bespoke platform. If anybody can clear this up, it would be greatly appreciated.
The Mark X entered its second generation in 2009, with crisp lines reminiscent of the Lexus IS and taillights eerily similar to the later Infiniti Q50.
While the Japanese domestic market has long been full of forbidden turbocharged and all-wheel-drive versions of cars we know, the Mark X’s engine lineup is blandly familiar. The standard engine is Toyota’s sweet but underwhelming 203 hp 2.5 V6, formerly available in the Lexus IS.
In China, where the Mark X is sold as the Reiz, there is an optional 3.0 V6 with 228 hp. Toyota’s ubiquitous 3.5 V6 – boasting an impressive 318 hp – powers the up-level models in Japan. A six-speed automatic is the only transmission available, with paddle shifters available on sporty trims.
More interesting is the double-wishbone front suspension, as well as sportier Mark X variants’ Adaptive Variable Suspension with computer-controlled damping and mono-tube shock absorbers. The discontinued Mark X G’s enhanced the car’s already pleasing proportions with an aggressive bodykit.
Toyota also produced 200 Mark X +M Supercharged by Modellista variants, all of which carried an exhaustingly long name and a 355 hp supercharged 3.5 V6.
Australian Curbsiders will recall a 3.5 supercharged V6 engine was offered here briefly in the TRD Aurion (V6 Camry). Pushing 323 hp through the front wheels, the TRD Aurion was a rather pointless endeavor. One wonders if a hi-po Mark X would have done more damage here against the Commodore and Falcon.
The Mark X mightn’t be around for much longer, considering the current generation debuted in 2009 (with mild facelifts in 2012 and 2016) and is sold in so few markets. In China, it slots into a much smaller and more logical lineup between the Crown and stronger-selling Camry, but is outsold by the latter.
Still, the Mark X offers a competent rear-wheel-drive platform and crisp styling at an affordable price, even if it is getting old. Tell me, Curbsiders: do you feel you are missing out or not?
Why are these cars so much nicer than anything we’re getting in NA? I really like the lines of that red Mark X in the second pic and the blue car in the last pic, and the Mark II wagon in white.
I think you mean Century, not President in regards to the car that ended production in 2016. As for the Mark X chassis, no other Toyota product shares it. It’s been a constant evolution since the Mark II / Chaser / Cresta days, and is not related to the larger Crown / Lexus GS platform or the also different Lexus IS platform. One important distinction that needs to be made regarding the Mark X is it’s actually cheaper in base form than the Camry in Japan; the market position of the later car is very different to what we perceive here in the US (luxury product; hybrid only).
Whups! Yes I did. Always get the names of the Toyota Century and Nissan President mixed up. Fixed, thank you.
Now I’m even more curious about how the Mark X drives…
Since it is RWD, yes I feel like we are missing out. I suppose it’s old fashioned of me to feel this way, but I will ALWAYS prefer a RWD car over FWD. Granted I live in the south and we don’t get much snow to deal with. The sportier versions look pretty good, but the normal ones are pretty boring and I don’t see where they would fit in Toyotas line up with the Camry and Avalon. I always wished the Avalon was RWD.
The front end of the Mk X looks a lot like the current Accord here in the USA. Certainly nothing like the Lexus terminator front we get.
I live in n.e. Ohio and have always preferred RWD as that’s what we had back in the late ’70s when I got my license. FWD IMHO is a crutch for bad drivers. I get along far, far better than most n.e. Ohioans piloting my P71 though the snow!
I’m with you, Roger. N.E. Indiana boy here. We should admit that there were a lot of unbalanced RWD cars back then like Mustangs and post-67 GM A bodies, and those could be nasty in slick weather. But a well balanced RWD car is something I have always preferred in the slick stuff.
Wow, learned something new. Based on images alone, I was always under the impression that the Mark X was just a fancier Camry. That roofile and those door frames scream Camry. I was pleasently surprised to find out that these are RWD.
I’ve seen several very well done up modified Toyota Chasers. I’d love to have one, such a great looking car.
I would not be surprised to find the Mark X shares the same window frames of the last generation Camry (or even the door frames). Toyota always finds a way to amortize costs.
Thanks for this. I knew almost nothing about this car. I wish I had more time to stay current with JDM products. But then my interest lies more with JDM cars like the Tank. 🙂
Technically , this is the Cressida right ?
Yes; it is the direct evolution (in a long line) of that car here in the US.
MarkX badge has been around a long time earlier models are on the road here along with its Cresta and MK2 siblings petrol and turbo diesel comfort tuned suspension takes a lot of the fun out of them.
As a previous owner of several Mark IIs and their variants (Crestas), I took a hard look at the Mark X when it came out. Have driven several 1st and 2nd Gen models. It drives very similar to all the previous versions – a typical Toyota RWD sedan.
I haven’t looked up the numbers, but my “eyeball” says it doesn’t seem as popular as its Mark II/Cresta/Chaser predecessors, at least here in the Tokyo area.
Very interesting selection of cars. That Mark II Blit bears a striking resemblance to the early Cadillac SRX.
… that 350+ HP Mark X sounds awesome, though. Wish Toyota had sent us a few of those.
I knew it looked like a caddy and was teetering today CTS wagon. Definitely more Gen 1 SRX
For what it is worth, those are unknown in Israel and the EU too. In Austria, the largest Toyota sedan you can get is the UK-made, FWD Avensis. Reliable but oh so boring. Israelis at least have the option of the US-spec Camry which now at least has some sporting pretentions. If you want a RWD Toyota-designed vehicle, the only option you have is the more expensive Lexus. Shame really but I can understand why Toyota does not bother – such a car would have no more hope against the usual German suspects than Hyundai’s and KIA’s recent efforts.
Toyota Blit wagon: same styling as that Cadillac but done much better, don’t you think? Lower & cleaner, with a large dose of Volvo wagon thrown in. I wonder about the power trains available.
The Blit also seems along the same lines and size as the Nissan Staega (another a RWD car).
One can only wish; that car strongly piques my interest.
These are high end Japanese luxury sport sedan very similar to a loaded MB E class
But we now see the faith of Lexus GS in US. They are just a very well built appliance, not match for E class, 5 series and A6. Even in Japan they are being challenged by these three German models.
For me, I am more interested in owning a JDM diesel Crown Comfort with manual column shifter.