Toyota Mark X review

A premium interior is also a highlight.

The Toyota Mark X was launched in 2004 as a sporty, premium alternative to the Toyota Camry. In Japan, the car was also a replacement for the Altezza. It was not sold new in Kenya so all cars here are used imports. Specification and engine combinations range from mild and conservative to powerful and sporty.

The Mark X has a distinctive look. A prominent crease flows all the way from the nose to the tail. This makes the top of the car looks like it is sitting on the wider lower portion. Instead of a Toyota badge, a large X emblem sits on the grille. The headlights are a unique design featuring three linked light units.

Inside, this particular 250G F Package review vehicle feels very modern. There is an unusual mix of colours and surface materials. The dash includes dark grey and beige plastics, with a silver metallic finish around the stereo. There is black leather, chrome and a red plastic wood finish on the centre console. 

The steering wheel is large and soft to grip. It features cut-outs for many buttons not used on this model. The touchscreen infotainment system will require a band expander to receive local radio frequencies. There are additional control buttons under a hatch below the screen.

The front seats are large, soft and very comfortable with significant side and under leg support. The rear seats are also very soft and comfortable for the two passengers in the window positions. The centre is a little firm and raised – best for children. Rear seat passengers will find the legroom excellent.

The boot is reasonable at 437 litres and will take four medium suitcases. Toyota is very keen to point out the boot can hold four sets of golf clubs. It has a diagram on the lid demonstrating how to arrange them. For larger items, the rear seatbacks can be folded forward but the opening this creates is relatively small and restricted.

The Mark X introduced a new range of six-cylinder engines for Toyota that are more powerful and fuel-efficient and which produce cleaner emissions. Two sizes are available, 2.5-litre and 3-litre. A rare high-performance supercharged version of the 3-litre engine is also sold. Most Mark Xs are rear-wheel drive and use a six-speed transmission. An all-wheel drive version uses a five-speed automatic.

No local safety ratings are available for the Toyota Mark X. In Japanese NCAP testing in 2005, it received a full six-star rating for driver protection and a five-star rating for passenger protection. 

Testing was done on a car with a full set of front, side, curtain and driver’s knee airbags. Our review vehicle has driver and passenger airbags, electronic brake force distribution and electronic stability control.

Each rear seating position gets a three-point seatbelt, which offers more protection than a lap-only type. There is no ISOFIX child seat system fitted to our review vehicle. However, this does appear in most and you should look for it at the time of purchase. Upper tethers for child seats are built into the shelf behind the seat.

The Mark X has a good reputation in the automotive trade for being well built and reliable. The engines use a timing chain that will not require regular replacement.

The only common issue with the engine is the failure of its oxygen sensors. These help the engine work out how much fuel and air is being burnt, and allow it to self-tune for power and emissions. If the sensor fails, the ‘Check engine’ light will come on.

There have been reports of the electric power steering system failing. Repairs to the system are challenging and expensive. The more common approach is replacement with a second-hand unit for around Ksh 15000.

Cracks can appear on the top of the dashboard from exposure to the sun. These usually start around the edge of the instrument cluster. In bad cases, the split can stretch across the dash. Check for signs of this when inspecting cars to buy. There are artisans who restore dashboards locally but don’t expect a so clean job. The ideal repair is replacement with a new dash which is difficult and uneconomic.

Models with a 2.5-litre engine are called a ‘250’ and with the 3-litre a ‘350’. All-wheel drive models carry the word FOUR at the end of their name

• G – Standard package, features climate control air-conditioning, fabric interior and alloy wheels.
• G F Package – Adds wood and chrome interior trim, electric adjustment for the driver’s seat.
• G L Package – Adds keyless entry and push-button start, and a wood and leather-trimmed steering wheel with controls for the stereo system.
• G S package – Similar to the L Package but with a sportier steering wheel style, dark coloured interior, larger alloy wheels, a body kit and rear spoiler.
• G Premium – The top model with all the features of the G L Package. Adds cruise control and additional electric seat adjustment options. Full leather is not standard but common.

• 2004 Launched in Japan
• 2006 Face-lifted, with new lights and indicators in wing mirrors
• 2009 Replaced by new model