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Is Toyota officially now a more sporty brand than Honda?

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Old 04-05-2018, 09:01 AM
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Default Is Toyota officially now a more sporty brand than Honda?

Just seeing a lot of threads about Toyotas recently and I can't help to wonder is this now true? I have been a long time Honda fan and owned many Honda cars in the past and continue to own mostly Honda branded cars. Toyotas had their fair share of sporty cars but mostly in the past and in recent memory are mostly known for their appliance like cars (Camry, Corolla, ES, RX, etc.). However, in the last few years Toyota is rolling out some really interesting products that are more sporty beginning with LFA, then it was the Toyota 86, and recently the LC500, and finally the revival of the Supra. Not to mention Lexus and their line of RWD and F cars like IS-F, GS-F, and RC-F.

I remember reading years ago Toyota newest CEO Akio Toyoda who is the grandson of the Toyota founder and he promised more sporty products and it seems his vision is now finally materializing.

Couple interesting points:
  • Toyota seems to take a different approach and still is not using turbos extensively in their lineup of cars. The F cars are all NA V8, new Camry, RAV4, Corolla are all NA still.
  • Toyota is reserving their famed sport car name plate Supra at a lower price tier vs Honda or Nissan. Both GTR and NSX are price well over $100k. The Supra is expected to cost half of that. The original versions costs in the same price tier.
Including few photos or recent Toyota sporty products for your viewing pleasure.


























Old 04-05-2018, 09:05 AM
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Honda has given up on the consumer sports car segment. Sure there is an NSX, but that is rarefied car for a very select few. They have commitments in professional motor sports, but that's it. Still very strong on sports motorcycle sales and racing.
Old 04-05-2018, 09:13 AM
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The answer is "Yes" but that is not saying much. It is like being less socialist than Bernie Sanders.
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Old 04-05-2018, 09:40 AM
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First off, Lexus > Acura in terms of sportiness, easily. Hopefully that will be changing in the coming years given Acura's new focus on performance, although hard to beat N/A V8s + RWD.

For Toyota, it gets complicated. They will soon have two sports cars, which is two more than Honda has. Honda does have the Civic Type R now, so there's that, but that's a hot variant of a FWD hatch, not a dedicated RWD sports car like the GT86/Supra.

However, in each other class the Hondas are much sportier. Corolla vs. Civic, Camry vs. Accord, RAV4 vs. CR-V, Yaris vs. Fit, it's consistent. Yes, the Camry has a V6 still, but the equivalent Accord has a great engine/trans and is actually quicker while offering a 6MT with both engines.
Old 04-05-2018, 09:48 AM
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Originally Posted by vader1
The answer is "Yes" but that is not saying much. It is like being less socialist than Bernie Sanders.
Bernie is socialism for beginners.

Honda has the NSX, Civic Si and Civic Type R.

Toyota has the 86 as far as properly fun to drive stuff goes. The RC is an IS coupe and the LC500 is a grand tourer.

That said, we should just be stoked that both are working to make desirable cars.
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Old 04-05-2018, 01:29 PM
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Nailed by Cody
Old 04-05-2018, 01:33 PM
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You forgot.....


Old 04-05-2018, 04:08 PM
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Originally Posted by TsukubaCody
Bernie is socialism for beginners
That’s what they said about Chavez and now a cheeseburger in Caracas cost ten million bolivars.

I not sure I am so stoked as you are, it is a step in the right direction but it is hardly the pinnacle from either manufacturer. I wish the Japanese wanted to reclaim affordable sports car dominance, but I am not sure anybody does. Right now motorsports seems to be a race to see who can make the most crossovers.
Old 04-05-2018, 04:15 PM
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And in the blue corner, fighting out of Canada by way of Toichigi Japan, he stands 4 Honda, weighing in against any counter Honda opinion, Jon "Jesus Drives Hondas" Boy.


Old 04-05-2018, 05:38 PM
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um, no. Toyota still makes the Camry- the antithesis of sport. Honda has the Accord- WITH A MANUAL. Honda's civic is worlds better than their corolla- I've driven both- there is no corolla typeR. Toyota's effin NASCAR isn't even a god damn Toyota- I can't buy a rear drive, V8 Toyota, with 3 pedals. I guess Honda has that indycar thing going for them...
To me, Toyota owned it back with the 80's/90's supra, MR2, corolla, cellica all trac. All these new BS Toyota front ends make me vomit.

That being said, Honda isn't that much better, but they do have the slight win.

Maybe the best way to settle it, is to take all the products both produce, track them at Mosport, and see who has the best overall average time/lap.

darcy


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