Have you ever wondered why Toyota vehicles can be both loved and loathed? The controversial designs of models like the C-HR and bZ4X have left drivers frustrated with form-over-function choices. These vehicles sacrifice visibility, cargo space, and comfort for the sake of stylistic flair. Meanwhile, standouts like the Grand Highlander offer genuine three-row utility with adult-friendly legroom.
The difference lies in how each model balances practicality with design.
4. Toyota C-HR (Exterior) (Worst)
Toyota’s controversial C-HR design prioritizes style over functionality with significant compromises. Its coupe-inspired silhouette features a dramatically sloped roofline and concealed rear door handles, but creates major blind spots due to massive C-pillars and restricted rear glass. With merely 5.9 inches of ground clearance, the C-HR sits lower than many standard sedans, rendering it unsuitable for even mild off-pavement excursions. Though its compact 172.6-inch length and tight 34.2-foot turning radius prove beneficial in city environments, these dimensions come at a cost. Pack light if you’re planning a weekend getaway—the trunk’s minuscule 19.1 cubic feet capacity means you’ll be choosing between bringing your friends or their luggage.
Toyota C-HR (Interior)
Passenger comfort takes a backseat in the C-HR’s confined cabin design. Rear headroom measures an inadequate 31.7 inches, creating a genuinely uncomfortable experience further worsened by the tiny windows that induce claustrophobia for back-seat riders. Hard plastics dominate throughout with minimal soft-touch surfaces, while the high center console intrudes on front passenger legroom. Despite adding wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity for 2025, the infotainment system continues to disappoint with dated graphics and slow response times. Try adjusting the climate controls on the move and you’ll quickly discover why distracted driving statistics keep climbing—these tiny touchpoints demand your eyes leave the road precisely when you should be watching it.
3. Toyota bZ4X (Exterior) (Worst)
Among Toyota’s early electric vehicle attempts, the bZ4X presents peculiar proportions that defy practical packaging. Despite having no need for engine space, its front end extends unnecessarily long, creating wasted space beneath the hood. Excessive black plastic cladding covers significant body sections in an unsuccessful attempt to create visual interest. Ground clearance varies between just 6.3 inches on front-wheel drive models and 6.9 inches for all-wheel drive versions—inadequate figures for a vehicle with implied off-road aspirations. Although the 112.2-inch wheelbase exceeds the RAV4’s, the bZ4X fails to maximize this advantage with its modest 173.3-inch overall length. Northern climate drivers beware: when temperatures drop below freezing, this EV’s already modest range plummets by up to 40% as its battery management system struggles with cold weather optimization.
Toyota bZ4X (Interior)
Questionable ergonomics plague the bZ4X’s interior design decisions. Drivers must look far over the steering wheel to view the digital gauge cluster, which Toyota positioned at an unusual distance from the driver’s natural line of sight. The 12.3-inch touchscreen offers reasonable size but suffers from complex menu structures that complicate simple tasks. While front passengers enjoy adequate 42.1 inches of legroom, rear occupants make do with just 35.3 inches—less space than in the smaller Corolla Cross. Cargo capacity disappoints at merely 27.7 cubic feet behind the second row, significantly trailing competitors and even Toyota’s own RAV4 with its 37.6 cubic feet. What you won’t find is the front trunk storage that most purpose-built EVs offer—a baffling omission that leaves grocery bags free to tumble around the traditional cargo area during spirited driving.
2. Toyota Urban Cruiser (Exterior) (Worst)
Derivative styling characterizes the Urban Cruiser, which borrows design elements from Toyota’s larger SUVs without establishing its own identity. As one of the market’s smallest SUVs at just 157.3 inches long, this vehicle paradoxically falls short in maneuverability with a surprisingly large 18.4-foot turning radius. While its 7.9-inch ground clearance suffices for occasional light trail use, any meaningful off-road capability remains out of reach. Undersized 16-inch wheels appear disproportionate against the tall body profile, emphasizing the vehicle’s budget-conscious development approach. Think twice before driving in a downpour—the poorly designed A-pillar seals have left numerous owners scrambling for towels as water streams in during heavy rain, creating an impromptu shower experience no one asked for.
Toyota Urban Cruiser (Interior)
Budget constraints become immediately apparent throughout the Urban Cruiser’s cabin environment. Hard, hollow-sounding plastics cover nearly every surface with minimal attempt to disguise their low-cost origins. The undersized 7-inch touchscreen features outdated graphics and slow processing capabilities that trail competitors by several years. Space utilization disappoints with just 41.2 inches of front legroom and a cramped 33.1 inches for rear passengers—tight measurements even by subcompact standards. Practical storage suffers with a mere 16.1 cubic feet of cargo capacity behind the rear seats, less than many compact sedans provide in their trunks. New parents quickly learn the harsh reality of this space limitation—once you’ve loaded a standard stroller, you’ll need to strap diapers and groceries to the roof rack or leave them at the store.
1. Toyota Venza (Exterior) (Worst)
Identity crisis defines the Venza’s exterior design, which straddles multiple vehicle categories without excelling in any. Neither fully crossover nor wagon, its proportions create a vehicle that appears unnecessarily bloated rather than purposefully designed. Limited 7.8-inch ground clearance falls below most competitive SUVs despite the Venza’s midsize 186.6-inch length. Rearward visibility suffers significantly from the aggressively sloping roofline and narrow rear window design. Though Toyota’s 2025 refresh introduces more angular headlights and an enlarged grille opening, these changes fail to address the fundamental design imbalances. If you’re considering parallel parking without relying entirely on electronic aids, look elsewhere—the combination of poor sightlines and surprising bulk makes even routine parking maneuvers feel like threading a needle while wearing boxing gloves.
Toyota Venza (Interior)
Form trumps function throughout the Venza’s interior where comfort compromises become immediately apparent. The sloping roofline restricts rear headroom to just 36.9 inches—less than many vehicles in smaller size categories. Despite its larger exterior footprint compared to the RAV4, cargo capacity measures a disappointing 28.8 cubic feet behind the second row—significantly less than its smaller sibling offers. The standard “Star Gaze” electrochromic panoramic roof switches from transparent to frosted at the touch of a button but cannot open or vent to allow fresh air. Climate and audio adjustments require multiple touchscreen interactions, as Toyota eliminated most physical controls for these basic functions. Parents attempting to install child safety seats quickly discover the Venza’s cruel geometry—the combination of tight door openings and sloped roof transforms the simple task of securing your little one into a contortionist act worthy of Cirque du Soleil.
Now that we’ve gone through the worst Toyota’s, let’s look at the best:
3. 2025 Toyota Crown Signia (Exterior) (Best)
Toyota’s Crown Signia brings distinctive styling to the luxury crossover segment with its fastback profile and balanced proportions. Standing 60.6 inches tall, this crossover maintains aerodynamic efficiency through a 0.29 drag coefficient while elevating passengers above standard sedan height. Thin LED headlamps wrap around the front corners, complementing the wide-mouth grille that dominates the fascia. Machined alloy wheels measuring 21 inches fill out the muscular wheel arches, providing both visual appeal and improved handling characteristics. You’ll appreciate how the full-width LED light bar creates a distinctive light signature that turns heads long after sunset – a design element that distinguishes the Crown Signia from anything else in the parking lot. If you’re also in the market for an SUV but you’re not a big fan of Toyotas, here are 2025 SUVs you might want to consider.
2025 Toyota Crown Signia (Interior)
Luxury defines the Crown Signia’s cabin approach, where leather-trimmed surfaces cover the heated and ventilated front seats as a standard feature. Dual 12.3-inch displays handle instrumentation and infotainment duties, with the touchscreen supporting wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. A carefully calibrated heads-up display projects essential driving information onto the windshield. Behind the rear seats, 25.5 cubic feet of cargo space accommodates everyday needs, while folding those seats expands capacity to 53.3 cubic feet for larger items. The cabin’s 68 decibel highway noise level – quieter than most normal conversations – transforms long road trips from exhausting journeys into refreshing escapes.
2. 2025 Toyota RAV4 (Exterior) (Best)
Practical dimensions define the 2025 RAV4, measuring 180.9 inches long and 73 inches wide while maintaining the rugged styling that made this Toyota’s best-selling SUV. Each trim level features a distinct grille design, ranging from the Adventure’s black mesh pattern to horizontal slats on the XLE. High beltlines paired with squared wheel arches create a planted stance, particularly evident when equipped with available 19-inch alloy wheels. Two-tone roof treatments provide visual contrast as an option, while functional roof rails support up to 165 pounds of equipment. Those small side fins and underbody panels aren’t just for show – they slice through air resistance during highway cruising, delivering better fuel economy when you’re covering serious miles.
2025 Toyota RAV4 (Interior)
Durability meets comfort inside the RAV4, where water-resistant SofTex upholstery and rubberized climate controls withstand daily use without sacrificing appearance. A 10.5-inch touchscreen mounted prominently on the dashboard delivers responsive control over navigation and entertainment functions with crisp graphics. Passengers enjoy generous space, with 41 inches of legroom up front and 37.8 inches for rear occupants. Cargo capacity measures 37.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expanding to 69.8 cubic feet when those seats fold flat. While you’re focused on the road ahead, Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 works silently in the background, with pre-collision braking that activates at speeds as low as 15 mph – precisely when most parking lot fender-benders occur.
1. Toyota Grand Highlander (Exterior) (Best)
Extended dimensions characterize the Grand Highlander, with its 197.1-inch body length exceeding the standard Highlander by nearly 7 inches to maximize interior space. Upright styling creates substantial road presence, especially when fitted with the available 20-inch multi-spoke wheels nestled within squared wheel arches. LED headlights with automatic high beam functionality come equipped on all models, flanking a wide grille that receives chrome accents on upper trim levels. The power liftgate reveals 20.5 cubic feet of cargo space even with all three rows in use. Those door-mounted side mirrors might seem like a minor detail until you navigate tight urban streets, where they significantly improve corner visibility while reducing the wind noise that traditionally plagues A-pillar mounted designs.
Toyota Grand Highlander (Interior)
True three-row utility defines the Grand Highlander’s interior, featuring third-row seats with 33.5 inches of legroom that comfortably accommodate adult passengers – not just the kids who usually get banished to the back. A 12.3-inch touchscreen provides wireless smartphone connectivity, complemented by seven USB-C ports distributed throughout all seating rows. All but the base trim include heated and ventilated front seats with 10-way power adjustment. Storage solutions abound, from a center console bin sized for tablets to 14 cup holders positioned throughout the cabin. When weekend projects call, the 98 cubic feet of maximum cargo capacity solves the common SUV sheet material problem – you can finally close the liftgate completely over those 4×8 plywood sheets without resorting to bungee cords or flapping warning flags.
