Toyota Allion: Which Version to Buy and Why

The Toyota Allion in this catalogue is a Sedan offered from December 2001 through March 2021 across two generations, each represented in original and restyled form. The central buying choice is between the 1.5, 1.8, and 2.0 engines, while the available drivetrains include FWD and AWD. The 1.5 versions provide 109 hp, the 1.8 range spans 125–132 hp, and the 2.0 versions produce 152 or 158 hp.

The Toyota Allion in this catalogue is a Sedan offered from December 2001 through March 2021 across two generations, each represented in original and restyled form. The central buying choice is between the 1.5, 1.8, and 2.0 engines, while the available drivetrains include FWD and AWD. The 1.5 versions provide 109 hp, the 1.8 range spans 125–132 hp, and the 2.0 versions produce 152 or 158 hp. Buyers must also choose between the first generation’s Automatic and Variable transmissions and the second generation’s all-Variable range.

Toyota Allion generations: what changed?

The first-generation Toyota Allion ran from December 2001 to November 2004 as a Sedan with four versions. Its restyling continued from December 2004 to May 2007, also with four versions. Both phases offered the same basic selection: 1.5 AT, two 1.8 AT variants distinguished by power and drive, and 2.0 CVT. The recorded differences between the original and restyled specifications are small. Most figures remain unchanged, although the 2.0 CVT acceleration time changes from 10 seconds in the original model to 11 seconds after restyling.

The second-generation Sedan ran from June 2007 to March 2010 with five versions. It replaced the four-speed Automatic used by the 1.5 and 1.8 first-generation cars with a Variable transmission throughout the range. Its choice included 1.5 CVT, three distinct 1.8 CVT entries, and 2.0 CVT. One 1.8 CVT combined 125 hp with AWD, while the other two produced 132 hp and were available with FWD or AWD.

The restyled second generation covered April 2010 through March 2021 and contained four versions. It retained 1.5 CVT, 1.8 CVT, and 2.0 CVT choices, but its listed 1.8 alternatives both produce 132 hp, with the drive system—FWD or AWD—separating them. Compared with the earlier second-generation list, the 125 hp AWD 1.8 CVT is no longer present.

Toyota Allion engine specs and version comparison

Every listed Toyota Allion engine is Gasoline, has four Inline cylinders and four valves per cylinder, and has No boost. The first-generation 2.0 CVT uses Direct injection (direct); all other listed versions use Distributed injection (multi-point).

Generation and periodExact versionPowerTorqueDisplacementFuelCylinders and layoutBoostGearboxDrive
First generation, Dec 2001–Nov 20041.5 AT109 hp at 6000 rpm141 Nm at 4200 rpm1496 cc924, InlineNo4-speed AutomaticFWD
First generation, Dec 2001–Nov 20041.8 AT, 125 hp125 hp at 6000 rpm161 Nm at 4200 rpm1794 cc924, InlineNo4-speed AutomaticAWD
First generation, Dec 2001–Nov 20041.8 AT, 132 hp132 hp at 6000 rpm170 Nm at 4200 rpm1794 cc924, InlineNo4-speed AutomaticFWD
First generation, Dec 2001–Nov 20042.0 CVT152 hp at 6000 rpm200 Nm at 4000 rpm1998 cc924, InlineNoVariableFWD
First-generation restyling, Dec 2004–May 20071.5 AT109 hp at 6000 rpm141 Nm at 4200 rpm1496 cc924, InlineNo4-speed AutomaticFWD
First-generation restyling, Dec 2004–May 20071.8 AT, 125 hp125 hp at 6000 rpm161 Nm at 4200 rpm1794 cc924, InlineNo4-speed AutomaticAWD
First-generation restyling, Dec 2004–May 20071.8 AT, 132 hp132 hp at 6000 rpm170 Nm at 4200 rpm1794 cc924, InlineNo4-speed AutomaticFWD
First-generation restyling, Dec 2004–May 20072.0 CVT152 hp at 6000 rpm200 Nm at 4000 rpm1998 cc924, InlineNoVariableFWD
Second generation, Jun 2007–Mar 20101.5 CVT109 hp at 6000 rpm141 Nm at 4200 rpm1496 cc954, InlineNoVariableFWD
Second generation, Jun 2007–Mar 20101.8 CVT, 125 hp125 hp at 6000 rpm163 Nm at 4400 rpm1794 cc954, InlineNoVariableAWD
Second generation, Jun 2007–Mar 20101.8 CVT, 132 hp, FWD132 hp at 6000 rpm174 Nm at 4400 rpm1794 cc954, InlineNoVariableFWD
Second generation, Jun 2007–Mar 20101.8 CVT, 132 hp, AWD132 hp at 6000 rpm174 Nm at 4400 rpm1794 cc954, InlineNoVariableAWD
Second generation, Jun 2007–Mar 20102.0 CVT158 hp at 6200 rpm196 Nm at 4400 rpm1986 cc954, InlineNoVariableFWD
Second-generation restyling, Apr 2010–Mar 20211.5 CVT109 hp at 6000 rpm141 Nm at 4200 rpm1496 cc954, InlineNoVariableFWD
Second-generation restyling, Apr 2010–Mar 20211.8 CVT, FWD132 hp at 6000 rpm174 Nm at 4400 rpm1794 cc954, InlineNoVariableFWD
Second-generation restyling, Apr 2010–Mar 20211.8 CVT, AWD132 hp at 6000 rpm174 Nm at 4400 rpm1794 cc954, InlineNoVariableAWD
Second-generation restyling, Apr 2010–Mar 20212.0 CVT158 hp at 6200 rpm196 Nm at 4400 rpm1986 cc954, InlineNoVariableFWD

The 1.5 engines produce about 72.9 hp per litre. The 125 hp 1.8 engines provide about 69.7 hp per litre, while the 132 hp 1.8 versions reach about 73.6 hp per litre. The first-generation 2.0 CVT produces about 76.1 hp per litre; the second-generation 2.0 CVT rises to about 79.6 hp per litre.

Moving from the 109 hp 1.5 to a 132 hp 1.8 adds 23 hp and 29–33 Nm, depending on generation. Moving from a second-generation 132 hp 1.8 CVT to the 158 hp 2.0 CVT adds 26 hp but also reduces listed peak torque by 4 Nm, from 200 Nm in the first-generation 2.0 CVT to 196 Nm in the second-generation 2.0 CVT.

Toyota Allion performance and economy

Version0–100 km/hTop speedCity consumptionHighway consumptionCombined consumption
First-generation 1.5 ATnot measurednot measurednot measurednot measurednot measured
First-generation 1.8 AT, 125 hpnot measurednot measurednot measurednot measurednot measured
First-generation 1.8 AT, 132 hpnot measurednot measurednot measurednot measurednot measured
First-generation 2.0 CVT, Dec 2001–Nov 200410 seconds180 km/hnot measurednot measurednot measured
First-generation-restyling 1.5 ATnot measurednot measurednot measurednot measurednot measured
First-generation-restyling 1.8 AT, 125 hpnot measurednot measurednot measurednot measurednot measured
First-generation-restyling 1.8 AT, 132 hpnot measurednot measurednot measurednot measurednot measured
First-generation-restyling 2.0 CVT, Dec 2004–May 200711 seconds180 km/hnot measurednot measurednot measured
Second-generation 1.5 CVT10.5 seconds180 km/hnot measurednot measurednot measured
Second-generation 1.8 CVT, 125 hpnot measurednot measurednot measurednot measurednot measured
Second-generation 1.8 CVT, 132 hpnot measured200 km/hnot measurednot measurednot measured
Second-generation 2.0 CVTnot measured200 km/hnot measurednot measurednot measured

Fuel-consumption figures are not measured for any listed Toyota Allion version, so the data cannot support an mpg comparison. The recorded performance advantage of the second-generation 1.8 CVT and 2.0 CVT is a 200 km/h maximum speed, which is 20 km/h above the listed 180 km/h of the 1.5 CVT.

Toyota Allion dimensions, weight, clearance and tank

External dimensions and wheel sizes are not measured for any version in the supplied data. Every version has a 60-litre fuel tank. Kerb weight ranges from 1140 to 1330 kg, while ground clearance ranges from 155 to 165 mm.

VersionKerb weightGross weightGround clearanceTankWheel sizes
First-generation 1.5 AT1140 kgnot measured160 mm60 Lnot measured
First-generation 1.8 AT, 125 hp, AWD1280 kgnot measured165 mm60 Lnot measured
First-generation 1.8 AT, 132 hp, FWD1170 kgnot measured160 mm60 Lnot measured
First-generation 2.0 CVT1240 kg1600 kg160 mm60 Lnot measured
Second-generation 1.5 CVT1140 kgnot measured160 mm60 Lnot measured
Second-generation 1.8 CVT, 125 hp, AWD1330 kg1605 kg155 mm60 Lnot measured
Second-generation 1.8 CVT, 132 hp, FWD or AWD1170 kgnot measured160 mm60 Lnot measured
Second-generation 2.0 CVT1240 kgnot measured160 mm60 Lnot measured

The 109 hp 1.5 versions carry about 10.46 kg per horsepower. The 132 hp 1.8 versions at 1170 kg improve that figure to about 8.86 kg per horsepower, while the 152 hp first-generation 2.0 CVT records about 8.16 kg per horsepower. The 158 hp second-generation 2.0 CVT has the strongest figure at about 7.85 kg per horsepower.

The unusual comparison is the early second-generation 1.8 CVT with 125 hp and AWD. At 1330 kg, it is 190 kg heavier than the 1.5 CVT and 160 kg heavier than the 132 hp 1.8 CVT entries. Its weight-to-power ratio is about 10.64 kg per horsepower, slightly higher than the 1.5 CVT’s 10.46 kg per horsepower. It also has the lowest listed clearance at 155 mm.

Which Toyota Allion version should you buy?

For the strongest power-to-weight result, choose the second-generation 2.0 CVT. Its 158 hp, 1240 kg kerb weight and 200 km/h measured maximum produce the range’s best listed weight-to-power ratio. Relative to the 132 hp 1.8 CVT, it supplies 26 additional horsepower for 70 kg of extra kerb weight.

For the most balanced numbers, the second-generation 1.8 CVT with 132 hp is the clearer middle choice. In either FWD or AWD form, the supplied specifications list 174 Nm, 1170 kg and 160 mm of clearance. It gains 23 hp over the 1.5 CVT while adding only 30 kg, reducing the weight burden from about 10.46 to 8.86 kg per horsepower.

Choose the 1.5 CVT or 1.5 AT when the priority is the lowest listed kerb weight rather than maximum performance. Both produce 109 hp and 141 Nm at 1140 kg. The second-generation 1.5 CVT additionally has measured performance figures of 10.5 seconds to 100 km/h and 180 km/h.

Choose an AWD version when AWD itself is required by the brief, but compare the entries carefully. The first-generation 1.8 AT with 125 hp has 165 mm of clearance and weighs 1280 kg. The early second-generation 1.8 CVT with 125 hp weighs 1330 kg and has 155 mm, whereas the listed 132 hp AWD 1.8 CVT weighs 1170 kg and has 160 mm. Those recorded differences make the 132 hp AWD specification numerically more attractive, with 7 additional horsepower, 11 additional Nm, 160 kg less kerb weight and 5 mm more clearance than the 125 hp second-generation AWD version.

Prices, cars for sale, engine prices, oil capacity, oil type, reliability and problems are not measured in the supplied data. They therefore cannot determine the recommendation. Based strictly on the catalogue numbers, the 132 hp 1.8 CVT is the balanced selection, the 158 hp 2.0 CVT is the performance choice, and the 109 hp 1.5 is the lightest specification.