Toyota Carina

Which Toyota Carina Version Should You Buy?

The Toyota Carina version to choose depends mainly on the layout and performance you want. The data covers seven generations from December 1970 to November 2001: the first three use Coupe or Coupe Hardtop bodies and RWD, while the fourth through seventh are Sedans, predominantly with FWD and with AWD offered in later generations.

The Toyota Carina version to choose depends mainly on the layout and performance you want. The data covers seven generations from December 1970 to November 2001: the first three use Coupe or Coupe Hardtop bodies and RWD, while the fourth through seventh are Sedans, predominantly with FWD and with AWD offered in later generations. For outright power, the seventh-generation 1.6 MT and 1.6 AT lead with 165 hp from 1,587 cc. For the best measured acceleration, choose the seventh-generation 1.8 MT: it reaches 100 km/h in 10.8 seconds and 178 km/h. Buyers prioritizing low engine speed and torque can consider the seventh-generation turbo-diesel versions, which produce 203–205 Nm at 2,200 rpm. Fuel consumption is not measured for any listed version, so the data cannot identify an economy winner.

Toyota Carina generations: what changed?

First generation, December 1970–July 1977: This Coupe generation has three versions, all named 1.6 MT. They use 1,600 cc Gasoline, Inline 4-cylinder engines, 4-speed Manual transmissions and RWD. Outputs are 73 hp, 75 hp and 86 hp. Every version has a 40-litre tank, while ground clearance is 165 or 170 mm. The 86 hp version offers 13 hp more than the 73 hp version, with no increase in listed displacement.

Second generation, August 1977–August 1981: The Coupe Hardtop has seven versions. Engine capacities span 1,588–1,812 cc and outputs range from 73 to 115 hp, all with Gasoline, Inline 4-cylinder engines and RWD. Both Manual and Automatic transmissions appear. The 1.6 MT with 1,588 cc produces 115 hp and 147 Nm, while the 1.8 MT and 1.8 AT with 1,812 cc produce 78 hp and 140 Nm. The more powerful 1.6 MT therefore supplies 37 hp and 7 Nm more despite having 224 cc less capacity.

Third generation, September 1981–May 1988: This Coupe generation has 19 versions. The listed sample includes engines from 1,452 to 1,968 cc, outputs from 75 to 135 hp, Manual and Automatic gearboxes, and RWD throughout. The 2.0 MT is the power leader with 135 hp and 172 Nm from 1,968 cc. Some versions have independent rear spring suspension and disc rear brakes, while others use dependent rear spring suspension and Drum brakes.

Fourth generation, May 1984–April 1988: The body changes to Sedan, and all eight versions use FWD. The Gasoline choices are named 1.6 MT, 1.6 AT and 1.8 MT, with 75–113 hp. The Diesel 2.0 MT versions provide 68 or 69 hp. All have independent spring suspension at both ends and 160 mm of ground clearance. Compared with the preceding RWD Coupe generation, the major buying distinction is the move to a Sedan with FWD.

Fifth generation, May 1988–July 1992: This Sedan generation has 44 versions. The listed versions include 1,498 and 1,587 cc Gasoline engines with 85–110 hp, plus both carburetor and multi-point injection configurations where specified. FWD dominates, but AWD is also listed. Automatic versions use 4-speed transmissions; Manual versions have either 4 or 5 speeds. Ground clearance is 160 mm, and every listed version has a 60-litre tank.

Sixth generation, August 1992–July 1996: The Sedan has 13 versions. Gasoline options range from the 1.5 AT and 1.5 MT at 105 hp to the AWD 2.0 AT and 2.0 MT at 135 hp. The two 1.8 engine families produce either 115 or 125 hp. The Diesel 2.0 MT produces 73 hp and 132 Nm, with FWD and AWD versions. Relative to the fifth generation’s listed 60-litre tank and 160 mm clearance, the sixth retains the 60-litre tank but uses 155 mm clearance.

Seventh generation, August 1996–November 2001: The final Sedan generation has 13 versions. It offers Gasoline and Diesel engines, FWD and AWD, and 4-speed Automatic, 5-speed Manual or 6-speed Manual transmissions. The range runs from 90 hp in the Diesel 2.0 MT to 165 hp in the Gasoline 1.6 MT and 1.6 AT. Ground clearance is generally 155 mm, except for the 165 hp 1.6 MT and 1.6 AT at 145 mm.

Toyota Carina engine specs and version comparison

Repeated names are separated below by generation, output or drive because the database uses the same exact version name for different specifications.

Toyota Carina horsepower and power-to-weight comparison

The seventh-generation 1.6 MT delivers the strongest power density in the data: 165 hp from 1,587 cc, or about 104 hp per litre. Its 1,160 kg kerb weight equals about 7.0 kg per hp. The corresponding 1.6 AT has the same engine output but weighs 1,190 kg, so its ratio is about 7.2 kg per hp. Choosing the Manual therefore removes 30 kg while adding a 6-speed gearbox in place of the 4-speed Automatic.

For a less highly tuned Gasoline choice, the seventh-generation 1.8 MT produces 115 hp from 1,838 cc, approximately 63 hp per litre. At 1,130 kg, it carries about 9.8 kg per hp. The seventh-generation AWD 2.0 MT produces 135 hp from 1,998 cc and weighs 1,240 kg, approximately 9.2 kg per hp. Compared with the 1.8 MT, it adds 20 hp, 24 Nm and AWD, but also 110 kg.

The seventh-generation Diesel 2.0 MT makes 90 hp and 203 Nm at 2,200 rpm. At 1,130 kg, it has approximately 12.6 kg per hp. The 2.2 MT raises output by 4 hp and torque by 2 Nm but weighs 60 kg more. The AWD 2.2 AT weighs 1,310 kg, which is 90 kg more than the FWD 2.2 AT despite identical 94 hp, 205 Nm and 4-speed Automatic specifications.

Toyota Carina performance, mpg and economy

Measured performance is available for only a few versions. The seventh-generation 1.8 MT records 0–100 km/h in 10.8 seconds and a top speed of 178 km/h. The 1.8 AT takes 11.2 seconds and reaches 175 km/h, making the Manual 0.4 seconds quicker and 3 km/h faster. The 1.5 MT records 13.2 seconds and 165 km/h.

In the sixth generation, both the FWD and AWD Diesel 2.0 MT record 16.4 seconds to 100 km/h and 160 km/h. Acceleration and top speed for every other listed version are not measured.

City fuel consumption: not measured for every version. Highway fuel consumption: not measured for every version. Combined fuel consumption and mpg: not measured for every version. CO₂ output and emissions class are also not measured, so an economy or emissions ranking would not be supported by the supplied specifications.

Toyota Carina dimensions, weight and practical specs

Exterior length, width, height and wheelbase are not measured for any listed generation. Wheel sizes are also not measured for every version.

Available kerb weights range from 950 kg for a third-generation 1.5 MT to 1,310 kg for the seventh-generation AWD 2.2 AT, a difference of 360 kg. The first generation has 165–170 mm ground clearance and a 40-litre tank. The second has 170 mm clearance, while tank capacity is not measured. The third spans 155–170 mm and lists a 61-litre tank for several versions. The fourth has 160 mm clearance and tank capacity not measured. The fifth has 160 mm clearance and a 60-litre tank. The sixth has 155 mm clearance and a 60-litre tank. The seventh generally combines 155 mm clearance with a 60-litre tank, although the 165 hp 1.6 MT and 1.6 AT use 145 mm clearance.

Gross weight is unevenly recorded. Examples include 1,225 kg for the third-generation 1.5 MT, 1,700 kg for the sixth-generation AWD 2.0 MT and 2.0 AT, and 1,580 kg for several seventh-generation Gasoline versions. Where no gross weight is given, it is not measured.

Which Toyota Carina version should you buy?

For the highest horsepower and strongest power-to-weight figure, the seventh-generation 1.6 MT is the clear numerical choice. It combines 165 hp, 161 Nm, a 6-speed Manual, FWD and a 1,160 kg kerb weight. Its trade-off is 145 mm of ground clearance, 10 mm less than most other seventh-generation versions.

For measured road performance, the seventh-generation 1.8 MT is the safest evidence-based recommendation. Its 10.8-second acceleration and 178 km/h top speed are the best measured figures in the supplied data. It also weighs 30 kg less than the 1.8 AT and improves on it by 0.4 seconds to 100 km/h and 3 km/h at maximum speed.

For AWD with Gasoline power, compare the sixth- and seventh-generation 2.0 MT. Both produce 135 hp and 181 Nm from 1,998 cc through a 5-speed Manual and AWD system. The seventh-generation car weighs 1,240 kg, 10 kg less than the sixth-generation version. The same pattern appears with 2.0 AT: both have 135 hp, 181 Nm, a 4-speed Automatic and AWD, while the seventh-generation version weighs 1,270 kg, also 10 kg less.

For maximum listed torque, choose a seventh-generation 2.2 AT or 2.2 MT. All produce 205 Nm at 2,200 rpm from a 2,184 cc Turbo Diesel, but the transmission and drive choices differ. The 2.2 MT is the lightest at 1,190 kg; the FWD 2.2 AT weighs 1,220 kg; the AWD 2.2 AT weighs 1,310 kg.

For an earlier RWD Coupe, the third-generation 2.0 MT offers the highest output at 135 hp and 172 Nm. Buyers wanting less weight can consider the third-generation 1.5 MT at 950–965 kg, although its output is 83 hp. For an early Coupe Hardtop, the second-generation 1.6 MT with 115 hp is the standout: it has 37 hp more than the 78 hp 1.8 MT while using 224 cc less displacement.

Reliability, problems, engine oil requirements, engine prices and cars for sale are not measured in the supplied data. They cannot be used to distinguish the versions. On specifications alone, the seventh-generation 1.6 MT is the performance-oriented choice, the seventh-generation 1.8 MT has the strongest measured acceleration evidence, the seventh-generation 2.2 MT provides maximum torque with the lowest weight among the 2.2 versions, and the seventh-generation 2.0 MT is the lighter of the otherwise equivalent 135 hp AWD Manual cars from the last two generations.