1982 Toyota Cressida | Retro Review 

The most surprising thing about this video is hearing how only 14% of drivers used seat belts in the early 80s.

“Only 14% of all drivers use safety belts anyway” Oh the 1980’s!

My grandparents had a blue 1984 and it had a crazy trip computer I thought was so cool back then. RIP grandparents and Cressida. FML

One of the best cars I ever owned! The power of this car was amazing and was a total sleeper.

My Mom got one in 1984 after a horrendous experience with her Buick Riviera that was very poorly assembled. Had every option such as leather, digital dash, sunroof. I think it cost over $17,000 - dealers were marking them up by almost $1,000 over sticker as I recall. I was 15 at the time but eventually did get to drive it - that Supra motor was a real hoot!

Wow I had no idea Toyota was using automatic seatbelts as early as 1982! I really like these early reviews, it looks like everyone was having fun.

I remember the Cressida. Always wanted one.

I bought one of these used for cheap just over 20 years ago. It was completely loaded, and had over 200k miles on it. The car looked so dirty and dumpy you could have sworn it was on its last leg. Turned out to be one of the smoothest-running, reliable cars I have ever owned. You couldn’t kill it.

These used to be everywhere over here. My dad's first car was an '82 Cressida in baby blue. It wasn't as luxurious as the ones sold in the States (we instead had the Toyota Crown to fill that segment) but it was damn reliable. My mum would eventually buy a '92 Cressida GL as her own first car because of it and despite selling it in early 2010s, it's still actually driving around 'till this very day.

Love this car. Holds a lot of emotional value for me.

A timeless classic sedan from Toyota

Wow I never knew these were classified as subcompact! Great cars but I'm surprised they sold any at that price which was well into fullsize Caprice/Crown vic territory. The "super radio" looks so cool

There's something special about watching 60fps uploads of classic Motorweek episodes, now that the early episodes are well over 40 years old now. But what makes me geek out and love this even more is the fact that it's STILL on the air with new episodes, John Davis continues to host, AND the review formula is exactly the same. It satisfies the nostalgia lover in me greatly to see some things that are left unchanged and remain successful. :)

That seatbelt use percentage was just sad. Glad that’s improved over the years.

I was born in New York in 1986 and remember these things roaring all over the place in Brooklyn. Right along with Tempos, Cutlass Cieras, and of course IROC-Z's. Great memories!

The fella demonstrating the auto belt 976.5 times then getting slammed in the back seat with two ladies is living his best work life!

I remember when the Toyota Cressida competed with the Datsun 810 Maxima at the time as well as the Audi 4000.

I was born in 1977, my Great grandparents had jeep grand wagoneers for years. They purchased a brand new 1984 Cressida in the same 2 tone brown /gold-ish - slight rose color combo, with every single option, including leather, digital instruments and trip computer. I loved it, loved going into the garage and listening to the radio and playing with all the buttons. They almost never drove anywhere, and by the time I was 15 I was pushing it out of the garage late at night on sleep overs. I never got caught. Unfortunately my Great Grandma died in 1995 and the car was sold, with something like 15,000 miles.

I'd love to have an 85-88 model still today.

My mother in low has an 1982 Cressida. She bought it a few years ago from an old lady. It has about 200k on it and actually runs extremely well. Its clean and rust free.

And now 40 years later Toyota has discontinued the Crown. Sad how Toyota discarded one of their most storied nameplates.

3:02 John: AND EVEN A SPRIG OF PLASTIC WOOD! LOL

The one review have been waiting for. We had an '81 Cressida in Riyadh. Though the front end styling is vastly different. Our Cressida had the front end styling and interiors from the Chaser.

That side profile reminds me of a Ford Fairmont of the same time. Never noticed that before.

I had a 86 ! Loved it had the Supra engine . I have a 06 Avalon and a 2021 Avalon same legacy,.

my dad bought this in 82 and it was given as gift in 1999

A car with more emotions than a today's Mercedes-Benz.....

Nissan's answer to the Cressida was the Datsun 810, later known as the Maxima. I had an 1989 Cressida and had two Maximas: a 1984 Maxima, the last year it was RWD and used the same inline 6 cylinder as the 280ZX and I had 1987 Maxima, same V6 as the 300ZX. Hard to decide which I liked better. Both were good

Heck yeah I'm glad there are still come of these FIRST episodes left and still surprise us in 2022! That Cressida was a great riding quiet car. It really was.

I owned an 81 Cressida which I purchased from the original owner back in 1996. Great car! Drove it to Halifax, NS from NYC. Also took a road trip from NYC to Quebec City as well as Raleigh, NC..Motorized belts are something you get used to. Mine had 14" tires and the marvelous 116hp 2.8 straight six...Wish I had that car today....

We have been a Japanese car family as long as i can remember. My Dad had a 68 GTO and a 73 Toyota Corona Wagon with a 4 speed manual when i was born. We had the Corona until the early 80s when we bought our first Honda (82 Accord SE 5 speed manual) We have owned many Toyotas and Hondas since then up til including now I own a 12 Avalon Limited,20 Tacoma TRD off road and an 11 Venza with the full glass roof. They make great vehicles even though i do miss the older stying days when the manufacturers had more of their own personality in their designs. Philly ❤️

I had a 85. One of my favorite cars!

My old girl had one of these when I was a kid. Only thing I remember about it was the kangaroo that totalled it lol. She still talks fondly of it though, that and the HQ premier that was her absolute darling.

This car never competed with a Citation or a Futura. it was designed as a 'Lexus' and was aiming for the European buyer, not really the American one, meaning those who were looking at BMW, Mercedes, Audi, etc. The auto belts were unique to the Cressida, and were more gimmick (you were supposed to feel safer) than really doing anything special.

Back when Toyota’s (or all cars) had character!

Toyota Cressida, A.K.A., the N. American Toyota Mark II. Shame it was pulled from our shores after '92.

We had a beige '83, my Dad's car. Had the digital gauge cluster, sunroof, equalizer. So many gizmos we never had in a car before that. Totally bulletproof, was the car I took to college. He replaced this with a '90. Totally a fan of Cressidas - Lexus before there was a Lexus.

The Cressida name didn’t last long but it’s quality would gain legendary status. I recall watching this episode when I was in high school in82. I was impressed. Today I own two Toyota’s. A 2015 Corolla and a 2021 Camry.

Thanks retro Motor Week and the Team for this video .

My father had one of these, he loved it.

Facts: if that car full of drivers showed up as is today to a Radwood, they would win the day. Facts: the guy with the helmet testing the door mounted seatbelts is the exact same look the person who owns one today is going for.

My Lesbian family loved the Cressida back in the late 80s / early 90s!

Had a 1982 Cressida live-axle RWD wagon. It was the SOHC 2.8 litre version (without the sport/normal/eco mode transmission), but it was far snappier than the carbureted 2.8 Oldsmobile FWD A-body wheezy wagon I had next.

Damnnn I want that radio in my current car

When cars were simpler and driving was a pleasure. Not like today where cars are rolling entertainment centers and driving is like going into battle against the agressive drivers that are always in a hurry.

I always thought of this more in line with the BMW 528e rather than a Citation.

My grandma had an 89, when they were redesigned for the last time. I thought the electronic equalizer in the stereo was a nice touch.

I love the old episodes where John doesn't yell.

This car was my Dad's pride and joy.

That car was what Lexus IS today! High price premium luxury! 14 thousand was a hell of a lot of money in those day’s! 14 thousand back then was like 48,000k today or more!

Had an 81 in green, super plush interior and pretty quick. Cylinder head went out twice, still wish that I had though.

I still want a 1988cressida classic car, its hard to find a clean one

Love it! Great videos!

Bring this beauty back

Awesome! post the 83 review too please!

ive got an 83 Aus built granny spec MX62 cressida, original paint and 116k km on the clock and has 5M-E

This was my first car and my sister drove from Queens to Huntington in 2nd gear, she shifted the shifter too far and my engine was toast. Put in a Supra engine and rims, 12 inch subs and a head unit and was promptly broken into and cleaned out. They even took a bite of my school lunch. My parents surprised me with a WS6 89 Firebird in Malibu blue and T tops after work one day. Still my favorite car ever.

Wish I could say something but this is before my time 😂 love these retro reviews!

I had an ‘87 Cressida. Super nice car!

At first I wondered why they didn't mention the engine specs but then at the end John Davis explained how Toyota dealers were going to be selling a revised version of this car in the spring of 85 so it makes sense now..

1985 - 1992 Toyota Cressida I like even more, they were more like four door Supras. The first gen 1993 Lexus GS 300 should be closely a successor to the Cressida.

Been a long time since I seen this generation Cressida on the road

Years ago I owned a 1981 Cressida sedan. I loved that car. It finally died when it blew a head gasket.

45k in todays money! This was the Pre-Avalon and Pre-Lexus

A friend of mine had one of these. Great car!

Lexus before there was even Lexus. One of the best cars ever made. I knew someone that had an 83 Cressida in the late 90s; except for typical engine seal leaks from age, it rode like a new car and felt tight and quiet.

I had one and it was a great car..it started every time..even at -50..fast too.

2:15 "Since only 14% of drivers use seat belts anyway" lol ... a completely different world

These cars became legends compared to their competitors at the time

Imo cars like these not only represent a different time in the automotive world, but in our lives. I was just entering middle school. It was a simpler time back then. That being said I never owned or test driven one, but it looks like a well balanced.

Sure glad that the Cressida didn't come with those stupid automatic seatbelts in Canada. Those were great cars and ahead of it's time for the early 90s.

They use to be everywhere in my country , we use to call it the Teachers car , as most of teacher owned one that time , my late neighbor had one 1981 model . It lasted with him until the day he left this life , 30 years of everyday use but he wasn’t a teacher .

1:14 Of course its John who actually uses the phrase " ...thats the rub.." 😄

Test car is probably still on the road if it hasn't rusted to pieces yet

Rear wheel drive? Inline six, naturally aspirated engine? Please make my Cressida! a wagon!!😁

I always like these early ones the best

A very collective car today. If you can find one. Toyota/ Lexus.🥇

I feel like I'm watching one of those early 80s drivers ed films .

I own this exact car!

Not a huge fan of this year but the later versions shared the same 7M-GE motor as the MK3 Supra. A real winner at 195HP.

Okay, enough already. Quit messing with the seatbelt retractor. You’re gonna break it!

The renaissance of a Goliath in the making. Good on you Toyota.

Nice Video!

The first car you tested with automatic seat belts!!!! YES!!!!!! 1:02.......um, that's the Ford FAIRMONT Futura, John.

Toyota Cressida is still a great car, best thing you can do is get a set of high-quality Michelin tires on all 4 corners and some really good struts/shocks

An absolute dream.

I'd still like to see the specs on the engine, but great review as always.

Had one with the 5MGE engine. Great when it was new but when the miles stacked up it became terrible. Techs at Toyota said the engine fails because of insufficient oil to the top of the motor causing cam failure..

The UK version had a 4-cylinder engine, no A/C, power steering, or cruise control. It was a great cruiser, but hard work to lug around town. Rock-solid build and reliability, though.

Did not know JonTron was a car tester for Motorweek in 1982 . Very interesting.

Back in 2004 I had a 1983 Celica Supra, great car, but with no replacement parts for it. Japanese classics are great reliable cars, but nowadays parts affordability and availability make them really hard to have, that's why I sold the Celica Supra and now I have a 1988 Chevrolet Monte Carlo LS (since 2004). Greetings

I’ve owned all Cressidas and all of them were 4 cylinders and Automatic except one 91 with 5 speed manual transmission and all of them never failed me once I appreciate the fuel economy and its powerful cool A/C in the summer… sure they don’t make them as they used to be …

ha! this was my first car in 1992.. loved it.

So this is how the Davidsfarm Cressida looked before the rust

When are you going to release the review video on the 1989 Nissan Sentra Motorweek?

One of me faves

This Car is 40 years old.

I miss those "super radios" !

I'm not quite convinced. In gonna need that guy to open the door for the 15th time. 😁

Only FOURTEEN PERCENT used seatbelts !!! 😕😯😮😧😫😖 💥💀 I would love to see the percentage of accidents that resulted in fatalities/severe injuries in 1982 and the same figures as the number of those who used the belts increased. Curious to see if the numbers drastically changed.