Toyota Caldina: Which Version Should You Buy?
The Toyota Caldina is a 5-door estate offered across three generations and six catalogue periods from November 1992 to May 2007. Choosing one is largely a choice between economy-minded FWD models, more versatile AWD versions, and high-output 2.0 AT or 2.0 MT turbo models.
The Toyota Caldina is a 5-door estate offered across three generations and six catalogue periods from November 1992 to May 2007. Choosing one is largely a choice between economy-minded FWD models, more versatile AWD versions, and high-output 2.0 AT or 2.0 MT turbo models. For the broadest engine and transmission choice, look at the first- and second-generation cars; for the newest production period, choose the third generation, where every listed version uses a 4-speed Automatic transmission. Performance testing and fuel-consumption figures are not measured in the supplied data, so this comparison relies on engine output, torque, drive, transmission, weight and ground clearance.
Toyota Caldina generations and version choice
The first generation ran from November 1992 through December 1995 as an Estate 5-door, with 13 listed modifications. Its selection ranges from the 1.5 AT and 1.5 MT at 94 hp to several 2.0 AT and 2.0 MT configurations, plus 73 hp Diesel versions. The FWD 1.5 MT has a 1,180 kg kerb weight, equivalent to approximately 12.6 kg per hp. Buyers prioritising output over low weight can instead consider the 135 hp 2.0 MT AWD, which weighs 1,320 kg and works out to about 9.8 kg per hp.
The first-generation restyling covered January 1996 through August 1997 and remained an Estate 5-door. Although the catalogue records 22 modifications, 12 are shown in the supplied version list. The range includes 94 hp 1.5 models, 125 hp 1.8 models and multiple 2.0 models producing between 128 and 165 hp. The 165 hp 2.0 AT AWD produces 191 Nm and weighs 1,400 kg, giving roughly 8.5 kg per hp. Compared with the 140 hp 2.0 AT FWD, it adds 25 hp and AWD, although its listed kerb weight is 140 kg higher.
The second generation ran from September 1997 through December 1999 as an Estate 5-door, with 13 catalogue modifications and 12 shown. Its listed choices extend from the 115 hp 1.8 MT and 1.8 AT to the 260 hp turbo 2.0 MT and 2.0 AT. The 2.0 MT turbo AWD weighs 1,460 kg, or about 5.6 kg per hp, while the corresponding 2.0 AT turbo AWD weighs 1,490 kg, or about 5.7 kg per hp. Choosing the Manual therefore saves 30 kg without sacrificing the listed 260 hp output.
The second-generation restyling ran from January 2000 through August 2002. It has 14 catalogue modifications, of which 12 are shown, and retains the Estate 5-door body. Its range spans the 94 hp 2.2 AT Diesel, the 115 hp 1.8 models, several naturally aspirated 2.0 versions and 260 hp turbo 2.0 AT and 2.0 MT alternatives. The turbo Manual weighs 1,440 kg, 30 kg less than the turbo Automatic. Both produce 324 Nm, so the choice is principally between a 5-speed Manual and a 4-speed Automatic in the supplied specifications.
The third generation covered September 2002 through December 2004 and offers four Estate 5-door versions. The 1.8 AT produces 132 hp and uses FWD; the naturally aspirated 2.0 AT produces 152 hp and can have FWD or AWD; and the turbo 2.0 AT combines 260 hp with AWD. Every listed third-generation version has a 4-speed Automatic transmission. The 260 hp car weighs 1,490 kg, giving about 5.7 kg per hp, while the 132 hp 1.8 AT weighs 1,250 kg and has approximately 9.5 kg per hp.
The third-generation restyling ran from January 2005 through May 2007. Its six Estate 5-door versions include a 132 hp 1.8 AT, four naturally aspirated 2.0 AT configurations producing either 152 or 155 hp, and a 260 hp turbo 2.0 AT AWD. This is the newest production period in the data and the only period offering the 155 hp 2.0 AT configurations. The 155 hp FWD example weighs 1,310 kg and has 165 mm of ground clearance; its AWD counterpart weighs 1,370 kg and has 155 mm. FWD therefore saves 60 kg and adds 10 mm of clearance in that comparison.
Toyota Caldina engine specs and drivetrain comparison
Repeated version names are distinguished below by output and, where necessary, drive or production period.
| Version | Period | Power | Torque | Displacement | Fuel | Cylinders/layout | Boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5 AT | 1992–1995 / 1996–1997 | 94 hp | 128 Nm | 1,496 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
| 1.5 MT | 1992–1995 / 1996–1997 | 94 hp | 128 Nm | 1,496 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 1.8 AT | 1992–1995 / 1996–1997 | 125 hp | 161 Nm | 1,838 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
| 1.8 MT | 1992–1995 / 1996–1997 | 125 hp | 161 Nm | 1,838 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 2.0 AT | 1992–1997, 128 hp | 128 hp | 179 Nm | 1,998 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | AWD |
| 2.0 MT | 1992–1997, 128 hp | 128 hp | 179 Nm | 1,998 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | AWD |
| 2.0 AT | 1992–1995, 135 hp | 135 hp | 181 or 183 Nm | 1,998 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | FWD or AWD |
| 2.0 MT | 1992–1995, 135 hp | 135 hp | 181 or 183 Nm | 1,998 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD or AWD |
| 2.0 AT | 1996–1997, 133 hp | 133 hp | 183 Nm | 1,998 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
| 2.0 MT | 1996–1997, 133 hp | 133 hp | 183 Nm | 1,998 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 2.0 AT | 1996–1997, 135 hp | 135 hp | 181 Nm | 1,998 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | AWD |
| 2.0 MT | 1996–1997, 135 hp | 135 Nm | 181 Nm | 1,998 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | AWD |
| 2.0 AT | 1996–1997, 140 hp | 140 hp | 186 Nm | 1,998 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
| 2.0 AT | 1996–1997, 165 hp | 165 hp | 191 Nm | 1,998 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | AWD |
| 1.8 AT | 1997–2002 | 115 hp | 154 or 155 Nm | 1,762 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
| 1.8 MT | 1997–2002 | 115 hp | 154 or 155 Nm | 1,762 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 2.0 AT | 1997–2002, 125 hp | 125 hp | 172 Nm | 1,998 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | AWD |
| 2.0 MT | 1997–2002, 125 hp | 125 hp | 172 Nm | 1,998 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | AWD |
| 2.0 AT | 1997–2002, 135 hp | 135 hp | 181 Nm | 1,998 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | AWD |
| 2.0 MT | 1997–2002, 135 hp | 135 hp | 181 Nm | 1,998 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | AWD |
| 2.0 AT | 1997–2002, 140 hp | 140 hp | 186 Nm | 1,998 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
| 2.0 AT | 1997–2002, 190 hp | 190 hp | 205 or 206 Nm | 1,998 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | FWD or AWD |
| 2.0 MT | 1997–2002, 260 hp | 260 hp | 323 or 324 Nm | 1,998 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | 5-speed Manual | AWD |
| 2.0 AT | 1997–2002, 260 hp | 260 hp | 323 or 324 Nm | 1,998 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | 4-speed Automatic | AWD |
| 2.2 AT | 1997–2002 | 94 hp | 205 or 206 Nm | 2,184 cc | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | 4-speed Automatic | FWD or AWD |
| 1.8 AT | 2002–2007 | 132 hp | 170 Nm | 1,794 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
| 2.0 AT | 2002–2007, 152 hp | 152 hp | 200 Nm | 1,998 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | FWD or AWD |
| 2.0 AT | 2005–2007, 155 hp | 155 hp | 192 Nm | 1,998 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | FWD or AWD |
| 2.0 AT | 2002–2007, 260 hp | 260 hp | 324 Nm | 1,998 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | 4-speed Automatic | AWD |
| 2.0 AT | 1992–1995, 73 hp | 73 hp | 132 Nm | 1,974 cc | Diesel | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
| 2.0 MT | 1992–1995, 73 hp | 73 hp | 132 Nm | 1,974 cc | Diesel | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
The strongest power-per-litre result belongs to the 1,998 cc, 260 hp turbo versions at about 130 hp per litre. The 190 hp 1,998 cc naturally aspirated version produces about 95 hp per litre, while the third-generation 152 hp and 155 hp engines yield approximately 76 and 78 hp per litre respectively. The 94 hp 2.2 AT Diesel has the lowest power output among the second-generation choices but delivers 205 or 206 Nm at 2,200 rpm, depending on period and version.
Toyota Caldina performance and fuel consumption
For every Toyota Caldina version in the supplied catalogue, acceleration from 0–100 km/h is not measured, top speed is not measured, city fuel consumption is not measured, highway fuel consumption is not measured, and combined fuel consumption is not measured. CO₂ output and emissions class are also not measured. Accordingly, no evidence-based MPG ranking can be made from these data.
Engine output still separates the versions clearly. The 260 hp turbo models provide 70 hp more than the 190 hp versions, 95 hp more than the 165 hp version and 105 hp more than the later 155 hp version. Their 323–324 Nm peak torque is also at least 117 Nm greater than the 205–206 Nm recorded for the 190 hp and turbo Diesel alternatives.
Toyota Caldina dimensions, weight and fuel-tank capacity
External length, width and height are not measured for any listed version. Wheel and tyre sizes are not measured. Every version has a 60-litre fuel tank and independent spring suspension at both ends.
Listed kerb weights range from 1,180 kg to 1,490 kg. The lightest measured cars include the 1.5 MT and early 1.8 MT at 1,180 kg. The heaviest measured cars are the 1997–1999 turbo 2.0 AT AWD and the third-generation turbo 2.0 AT AWD at 1,490 kg. Gross weight varies where measured: listed figures include 1,455 kg, 1,475 kg, 1,515 kg, 1,585 kg, while many versions have gross weight not measured.
Ground clearance ranges from 140 mm to 165 mm in the supplied data. The 2002–2004 152 hp 2.0 AT FWD reaches 165 mm, as does the 2005–2007 155 hp 2.0 AT FWD. Turbo second-generation versions have 140 mm, and the third-generation 260 hp turbo 2.0 AT has 145 mm. The highest-clearance listed FWD cars therefore provide 20–25 mm more clearance than those turbo choices.
Which Toyota Caldina version should you buy?
For the lowest measured weight, choose a 1,180 kg 1.5 MT or early 1.8 MT. The 1.8 MT offers 31 hp more than the 1.5 MT at the same listed kerb weight, improving the ratio from about 12.6 to 9.4 kg per hp.
For a balance of newer production, moderate output and clearance, the 2005–2007 155 hp 2.0 AT FWD is the strongest all-round numerical case. It combines 155 hp, 192 Nm, a 1,310 kg kerb weight and 165 mm of ground clearance. The equivalent 155 hp AWD version adds 60 kg and loses 10 mm of clearance; its reason for purchase is specifically AWD.
For the highest output, choose a 260 hp turbo 2.0 AT or 2.0 MT with AWD. Among second-generation versions, the 5-speed Manual is 30 kg lighter than its matching 4-speed Automatic in both listed periods. Buyers wanting the same 260 hp in the newest body period can select the 2002–2007 2.0 AT turbo AWD, accepting that the only listed transmission is the 4-speed Automatic.
For Diesel, the early 2.0 AT and 2.0 MT produce 73 hp and 132 Nm without boost, while the later 2.2 AT produces 94 hp and 205–206 Nm with Turbo. The 2.2 AT therefore adds 21 hp and 73–74 Nm, making it the stronger Diesel choice on the available engine figures.
The final decision is straightforward: select FWD when lower listed weight or greater clearance matters, AWD when the drivetrain itself is required, Manual when choosing among the older versions and saving up to 50 kg versus a comparable Automatic matters, and the 260 hp turbo engine when power-to-weight ratio is the priority. Reliability, problems, engine-oil specification, battery size, sale price and market availability are not measured in the supplied data and cannot determine the recommendation.