Which Toyota Celica Version Should You Buy?
Choosing a Toyota Celica from this catalogue means deciding between nine generations produced from December 1970 to October 2005, including sixth- and seventh-generation restylings.
Choosing a Toyota Celica from this catalogue means deciding between nine generations produced from December 1970 to October 2005, including sixth- and seventh-generation restylings. The largest difference is architectural: the first three generations listed here are rear-wheel-drive coupes, later cars are predominantly front-wheel drive, selected fifth- and sixth-generation versions use AWD, and the seventh generation is a three-door hatchback. For outright performance, the sixth-generation-restyling 2.0 MT with 242 hp is the quickest measured choice at 6.1 seconds to 100 km/h. For a later, lighter car with complete economy data, the seventh-generation 1.8 MT with 192 hp reaches 100 km/h in 7.4 seconds, has a 225 km/h top speed and consumes 8.4 L/100 km combined.
Toyota Celica generations: what changed?
First generation, December 1970–July 1977. This rear-wheel-drive Coupe has six versions. All use Gasoline engines, with 1.6 MT variants producing 75, 84, 86 or 107 hp, a 1.6 AT producing 86 hp, and a 2.0 MT producing 105 hp. Buyers can choose four- or five-speed Manual gearboxes or a three-speed Automatic. Ground clearance is 175 mm, while acceleration, top speed, weight, tank capacity and fuel consumption are not measured.
Second generation, August 1977–June 1981. The rear-wheel-drive Coupe offers eleven versions, spanning 1.6 and 2.0 Gasoline engines with 75–121 hp. Manual transmissions have four or five speeds; Automatic versions have three or four. Compared with the first generation, ground clearance falls by 15 mm to 160 mm. Performance, economy, weight and tank figures are not measured.
Third generation, July 1981–February 1986. This Coupe also retains rear-wheel drive but expands the catalogue to eleven versions. Choices range from four-cylinder 1.6 MT and 1.6 AT models to six-cylinder 2.0 MT, 2.0 AT, 2.8 MT and 2.8 AT versions. Output runs from 86 to 170 hp. The measured acceleration range is 10.5–14 seconds to 100 km/h, while the recorded top speed for selected versions is 180 km/h. Ground clearance is 155 or 160 mm.
Fourth generation, August 1985–July 1990. The body changes to Cabrio and the drivetrain to FWD across thirteen versions. The listed 1.6, 1.8 and 2.0 Gasoline engines produce 86–150 hp. The quickest measured version is a 2.0 MT with 150 hp at 8.7 seconds to 100 km/h; it reaches 210 km/h. The equivalent 150 hp 2.0 AT takes 9.8 seconds and reaches 200 km/h. Ground clearance is 165 mm.
Fifth generation, September 1989–August 1996. This Cabrio has thirteen versions, mostly FWD, but adds two turbocharged AWD 2.0 MT choices with 204 and 225 hp. The 204 hp car records the generation’s quickest acceleration at 6.9 seconds to 100 km/h; both turbo versions reach 230 km/h. The naturally aspirated choices span 1.6, 1.8 and 2.0 litres and 105–156 hp. Ground clearance is 160 mm.
Sixth generation, October 1993–August 1996; restyled August 1996–June 1999. The Cabrio generation contains sixteen original and nineteen restyled versions, although twelve versions from each phase are detailed in the supplied catalogue. Original listed outputs run from 116 to 200 hp. The restyled selection ranges from 116 to 242 hp and includes FWD and AWD. Its 242 hp AWD 2.0 MT reaches 100 km/h in 6.1 seconds and 240 km/h, making it the strongest and quickest measured Celica here.
Seventh generation, August 1999–July 2002; restyled August 2002–October 2005. Both phases are three-door Hatchbacks with six FWD versions each. Engine choices are 1.8 AT and 1.8 MT at 143, 182 or 192 hp. The restyling retains the same listed performance and economy figures but changes the front brakes from disc to ventilated disc. This is the most comprehensively measured generation and therefore the easiest to compare numerically.
Toyota Celica engine specs and transmissions
Repeated names are distinguished by power because, for example, several seventh-generation cars are called exactly 1.8 MT or 1.8 AT.
| Generation and version | Power | Torque | Displacement | Fuel | Cylinders/layout | Boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First: 1.6 MT | 75–107 hp | not measured | 1600 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 4/5-speed Manual | RWD |
| First: 1.6 AT (86 hp) | 86 hp | not measured | 1600 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 3-speed Automatic | RWD |
| First: 2.0 MT | 105 hp | 145 Nm | 2000 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | RWD |
| Second: 1.6 MT | 75–110 hp | not measured | 1587–1600 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 4/5-speed Manual | RWD |
| Second: 1.6 AT | 95–109 hp | not measured | 1587–1598 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 3/4-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Second: 2.0 MT | 88–121 hp | 155–169 Nm or not measured | 1998–2000 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | RWD |
| Second: 2.0 AT | 90–121 hp | 169 Nm or not measured | 1998–2000 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Third: 1.6 MT | 86–120 hp | up to 142 Nm; otherwise not measured | 1578–1588 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | RWD |
| Third: 1.6 AT (120 hp) | 120 hp | 142 Nm | 1578 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Third: 2.0 MT | 105–160 hp | 157–181 Nm | 1988 cc | Gasoline | 4 or 6, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | RWD |
| Third: 2.0 AT | 105–125 hp | 157–172 Nm | 1988 cc | Gasoline | 4 or 6, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Third: 2.8 MT | 170 hp | 235 Nm | 2759 cc | Gasoline | 6, Inline | not measured | 5-speed Manual | RWD |
| Third: 2.8 AT | 170 hp | 235 Nm | 2759 cc | Gasoline | 6, Inline | not measured | 4-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Fourth: 1.6 MT | 86–124 hp | up to 157 Nm; otherwise not measured | 1598–1600 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| Fourth: 1.6 AT (86 hp) | 86 hp | not measured | 1600 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
| Fourth: 1.8 MT | 110 hp | 150 Nm | 1762 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| Fourth: 1.8 AT | 110 hp | 150 Nm | 1762 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
| Fourth: 2.0 MT | 140–150 hp | 175–182 Nm or not measured | 1988–2000 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| Fourth: 2.0 AT | 150 hp | 182 Nm or not measured | 1988–2000 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
| Fifth: 1.6 MT | 105 hp | 142 Nm | 1587 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| Fifth: 1.6 AT | 105 hp | 142 Nm | 1587 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
| Fifth: 1.8 MT | 115 hp | 157 Nm | 1838 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| Fifth: 1.8 AT | 115 hp | 157 Nm | 1838 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
| Fifth: 2.0 MT | 140–225 hp | 175–304 Nm | 1998 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No or Turbo | 5-speed Manual | FWD or AWD |
| Fifth: 2.0 AT | 140–156 hp | 175–186 Nm | 1998 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
| Sixth: 1.8 MT | 116 hp | 154 Nm | 1762 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| Sixth: 2.0 MT | 140–242 hp | 186–304 Nm | 1998 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD or AWD |
| Sixth: 2.0 AT | 140–200 hp | 186–205 Nm | 1998 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
| Sixth: 2.2 MT | 136 hp | 196 Nm | 2166 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| Sixth: 2.2 AT | 136 hp | 196 Nm | 2166 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
| Seventh: 1.8 MT | 143/182/192 hp | 170/181/180 Nm | 1794/1796 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 6-speed Manual | FWD |
| Seventh: 1.8 AT | 143/182/192 hp | 170/181/180 Nm | 1794/1796 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
Power density helps separate versions sharing the same name. The seventh-generation 143 hp 1.8 engine produces about 79.7 hp per litre, the 182 hp unit about 101.3 hp per litre, and the 192 hp unit about 106.9 hp per litre. The fifth-generation turbo 204 hp 2.0 MT delivers about 102.1 hp per litre, while the 225 hp version reaches about 112.6 hp per litre. The sixth-generation-restyling 242 hp 2.0 MT leads the listed range at about 121.1 hp per litre.
Toyota Celica performance and fuel economy
The seventh generation provides the cleanest like-for-like comparison. The 143 hp 1.8 MT reaches 100 km/h in 8.7 seconds and 205 km/h, consuming 10.0 L/100 km in the city, 6.0 on the highway and 7.0 combined. The 143 hp 1.8 AT needs 10.0 seconds, reaches 202 km/h and consumes 10.3, 6.2 and 7.7 L/100 km respectively. Choosing the Manual therefore saves 1.3 seconds in acceleration and 0.7 L/100 km combined.
At 182 hp, 1.8 MT and 1.8 AT both record 7.5 seconds to 100 km/h. The Automatic reaches 220 km/h against 210 km/h for the Manual and consumes 8.4 rather than 8.5 L/100 km combined. At 192 hp, the 1.8 MT is 1.1 seconds quicker than the 1.8 AT, reaches 225 rather than 220 km/h, yet both consume 8.4 L/100 km combined.
Among earlier cars with complete measurements, the fifth-generation 1.6 MT records 11.0 seconds, 195 km/h and 7.1 L/100 km combined. Its 156 hp 2.0 MT cuts acceleration to 8.3 seconds and raises top speed to 220 km/h while consuming 7.7 L/100 km combined. That is a 2.7-second acceleration improvement and 25 km/h more top speed for 0.6 L/100 km additional combined consumption.
Many earlier configurations have no acceleration, top-speed or consumption entry. Those figures are not measured; no estimate should be substituted.
Toyota Celica dimensions, weight and tank capacity
Wheel sizes are not measured for every version in the catalogue. Ground clearance is 175 mm in the first generation, generally 160 mm in the second and fifth generations, 155–160 mm in the third, 165 mm in the fourth, 140–145 mm in the sixth, and 140 mm in the seventh.
The seventh-generation 143 hp cars weigh 1070 kg kerb and 1565 kg gross, with a 55 L tank. That equals about 7.5 kg per hp. The 182 hp Automatic weighs 1115 kg, or about 6.1 kg per hp, while the 182 hp Manual weighs 1190 kg, or about 6.5 kg per hp. Both 192 hp versions weigh 1215 kg, giving about 6.3 kg per hp.
The fifth-generation 204 hp AWD 2.0 MT weighs 1468 kg kerb and 1890 kg gross, or about 7.2 kg per hp. The 225 hp AWD 2.0 MT weighs 1420 kg with the same 1890 kg gross figure, improving the ratio to about 6.3 kg per hp. Both use a 60 L tank. The sixth-generation-restyling 242 hp AWD 2.0 MT weighs 1380 kg kerb and 1785 kg gross, giving the best cited ratio at about 5.7 kg per hp; its tank holds 68 L.
Which Toyota Celica version should you buy?
For maximum measured performance, choose the sixth-generation-restyling 2.0 MT (242 hp). Its 6.1-second acceleration, 240 km/h top speed, 304 Nm, AWD and approximately 5.7 kg-per-hp ratio place it ahead of every other listed version. Fuel consumption is not measured.
For a turbocharged fifth-generation option, the 2.0 MT (225 hp) is numerically preferable to the 2.0 MT (204 hp): it has 21 hp and 29 Nm more, weighs 48 kg less and shares the same 230 km/h top speed. The database nevertheless records slower acceleration for the 225 hp car—7.8 rather than 6.9 seconds—so buyers should not infer acceleration from power alone.
For the strongest late-generation all-round specification, choose the seventh-generation 1.8 MT (192 hp). It combines 7.4-second acceleration, a 225 km/h top speed, 8.4 L/100 km combined consumption and a six-speed Manual. The restyled and pre-restyling versions share these figures; the restyled car adds ventilated front discs in the supplied specifications.
For lower consumption, the seventh-generation 1.8 MT (143 hp) is the best fully measured late choice at 7.0 L/100 km combined. It uses 1.4 L/100 km less than the 192 hp Manual, but gives up 49 hp, takes 1.3 seconds longer to reach 100 km/h and has a 20 km/h lower top speed.
For an early rear-wheel-drive Celica, select among the first three generations. The third-generation 2.8 MT (170 hp) has 235 Nm, a five-speed Manual and RWD, with 1235 kg kerb weight and 1510 kg gross weight. Its acceleration, top speed, consumption and tank capacity are not measured. For an automatic with the same engine output, the 2.8 AT (170 hp) has identical torque but weighs 1270 kg, adding 35 kg.
No price or sale data is supplied, so this catalogue cannot determine what any Celica is worth or whether a particular car for sale represents good value. On specifications alone, the 242 hp sixth-generation-restyling 2.0 MT is the performance choice, the 192 hp seventh-generation 1.8 MT is the strongest measured everyday compromise, and the 143 hp seventh-generation 1.8 MT is the economy-led choice.