Toyota MR-S: Which Version to Buy and Why
The Toyota MR-S choice comes down to transmission and production period rather than engine output. Every listed 1.8 MT and 1.8 TFT has the same 1,794 cc Gasoline engine, producing 140 hp at 6,400 rpm and 171 Nm at 4,400 rpm.
The Toyota MR-S choice comes down to transmission and production period rather than engine output. Every listed 1.8 MT and 1.8 TFT has the same 1,794 cc Gasoline engine, producing 140 hp at 6,400 rpm and 171 Nm at 4,400 rpm. The earlier 1999–2002 Roadster offers five-speed transmissions and the lowest kerb weights, while the 2002–2007 restyling brings six-speed gearboxes, revised wheel sizes, and an extra 40 kg in both equivalent versions. Choose the earlier 1.8 MT for the best weight-to-power ratio, the restyled 1.8 MT for a six-speed Manual and the only measured acceleration figure, or either 1.8 TFT if a Robotic gearbox is the priority.
Toyota MR-S generations and version differences
The Toyota MR-S is represented here by one generation in two production phases, both offered exclusively as a Roadster. The original phase ran from October 1999 through July 2002 and included two versions: 1.8 MT and 1.8 TFT. Both used five-speed gearboxes, with Manual specified for 1.8 MT and Robotic for 1.8 TFT.
The restyled phase ran from August 2002 through April 2007, again with two versions named 1.8 MT and 1.8 TFT. The principal change visible in the supplied specifications is that both transmissions gained an additional ratio: the restyled 1.8 MT has a six-speed Manual, while the restyled 1.8 TFT has a six-speed Robotic gearbox. Output, torque, displacement, drive, ground clearance, tank capacity, suspension design, and brake type remained identical in the listed data.
Kerb weight increased after restyling. The 1.8 MT rose from 970 kg to 1,010 kg, a difference of 40 kg. The 1.8 TFT increased from 980 kg to 1,020 kg, also by 40 kg. Within each production phase, the 1.8 TFT is 10 kg heavier than the corresponding 1.8 MT.
Toyota MR-S engine and specs
Every listed Toyota MR-S uses the same naturally aspirated engine specification: 1,794 cc, Gasoline, four Inline cylinders, four valves per cylinder, Distributed injection (multi-point), and No boost. Bore and stroke are 79 × 91.5, compression ratio is 10, and the specified fuel grade is 92.
The common output of 140 hp from 1,794 cc equals approximately 78.0 hp per litre. Because every version has the same output and displacement, engine-specific performance does not distinguish the 1.8 MT from the 1.8 TFT or the original phase from the restyling.
| Production phase | Version | Power | Torque | Displacement | Fuel | Cylinders and layout | Boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 1999–July 2002 | 1.8 MT | 140 hp at 6,400 rpm | 171 Nm at 4,400 rpm | 1,794 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | RWD |
| October 1999–July 2002 | 1.8 TFT | 140 hp at 6,400 rpm | 171 Nm at 4,400 rpm | 1,794 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Robotic | RWD |
| August 2002–April 2007, restyling | 1.8 MT | 140 hp at 6,400 rpm | 171 Nm at 4,400 rpm | 1,794 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 6-speed Manual | RWD |
| August 2002–April 2007, restyling | 1.8 TFT | 140 hp at 6,400 rpm | 171 Nm at 4,400 rpm | 1,794 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 6-speed Robotic | RWD |
The engine location is Central in every version, and every Toyota MR-S listed here is RWD. Front and rear suspension are Independent, spring on all four versions. Each also has Ventilated disc front brakes and Disc ventilated rear brakes.
Toyota MR-S performance and mpg
The restyled 1.8 MT accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.4 seconds. Acceleration is not measured for the original 1.8 MT, original 1.8 TFT, or restyled 1.8 TFT. Top speed is not measured for any listed version.
City fuel consumption is not measured for all four versions. Highway fuel consumption is not measured for all four versions, and combined fuel consumption is also not measured for all four versions. Consequently, the supplied data does not support an mpg comparison between the Manual and Robotic gearboxes or between the original and restyled cars.
| Production phase | Version | 0–100 km/h | Top speed | City consumption | Highway consumption | Combined consumption |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 1999–July 2002 | 1.8 MT | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| October 1999–July 2002 | 1.8 TFT | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| August 2002–April 2007, restyling | 1.8 MT | 7.4 seconds | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| August 2002–April 2007, restyling | 1.8 TFT | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured |
The absence of measured figures should not be treated as evidence that the unmeasured versions are faster, slower, or more economical. The engine outputs are identical, but the data provides no equivalent acceleration or consumption test with which to quantify the effect of gearbox type or kerb weight.
Toyota MR-S weight, dimensions, and wheel sizes
The original 1.8 MT is the lightest listed Toyota MR-S at 970 kg. With 140 hp, it carries approximately 6.93 kg per horsepower. The original 1.8 TFT weighs 980 kg, corresponding to 7.00 kg per horsepower.
The restyled 1.8 MT weighs 1,010 kg, or approximately 7.21 kg per horsepower. The restyled 1.8 TFT is the heaviest at 1,020 kg and has approximately 7.29 kg per horsepower. Compared with the lightest original 1.8 MT, the restyled 1.8 TFT carries 50 kg more with no increase over 140 hp.
| Production phase | Version | Kerb weight | Gross weight | Weight per hp | Ground clearance | Tank | Wheel sizes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 1999–July 2002 | 1.8 MT | 970 kg | not measured | 6.93 kg/hp | 135 mm | 48 L | 185/55 R15; 205/50 R15 |
| October 1999–July 2002 | 1.8 TFT | 980 kg | not measured | 7.00 kg/hp | 135 mm | 48 L | 185/55 R15; 205/50 R15 |
| August 2002–April 2007, restyling | 1.8 MT | 1,010 kg | not measured | 7.21 kg/hp | 135 mm | 48 L | 185/55 R15; 215/45 R16 |
| August 2002–April 2007, restyling | 1.8 TFT | 1,020 kg | not measured | 7.29 kg/hp | 135 mm | 48 L | 185/55 R15; 215/45 R16 |
Gross weight is not measured for any version. Overall length, width, height, and wheelbase are also not measured in the supplied data, so no Toyota MR-S dimensions comparison can be made for those parameters. Ground clearance is 135 mm and tank capacity is 48 L for every version.
Wheel sizing separates the two production phases. Original cars use 185/55 R15 and 205/50 R15 sizes. Restyled cars retain 185/55 R15 and replace the other listed size with 215/45 R16. That change combines a section width increase of 10 mm with a rim-diameter increase of one inch for the second listed wheel size.
Which Toyota MR-S version should you buy?
For the strongest specification-based power-to-weight result, choose the October 1999–July 2002 1.8 MT. Its 970 kg kerb weight is 10 kg below the original 1.8 TFT, 40 kg below the restyled 1.8 MT, and 50 kg below the restyled 1.8 TFT. All four make the same 140 hp and 171 Nm, so the original 1.8 MT’s 6.93 kg/hp is the most favorable ratio in the data.
Choose the August 2002–April 2007 1.8 MT when a six-speed Manual matters more than minimum weight. It is 40 kg heavier than the earlier 1.8 MT but adds one transmission ratio, moving from five speeds to six. It is also the only version with a measured 0–100 km/h result: 7.4 seconds. Its restyled wheel specification includes 185/55 R15 and 215/45 R16 rather than the original car’s 185/55 R15 and 205/50 R15.
Choose the 1.8 TFT only when the Robotic transmission is the deciding requirement. In the original phase, the 1.8 TFT has five speeds and weighs 980 kg; in the restyled phase, it has six speeds and weighs 1,020 kg. The later version therefore provides one additional ratio but adds 40 kg without changing the listed 140 hp or 171 Nm output.
No price or Toyota MR-S for-sale information is supplied, so the data cannot show what any extra purchase cost buys. It can show the engineering trade: the restyling exchanges 40 kg of additional kerb weight for a six-speed transmission and the revised 185/55 R15 and 215/45 R16 wheel specification. For a buyer prioritizing low weight, the original 1.8 MT is the clearest choice; for a buyer prioritizing the later six-speed Manual specification and a documented acceleration figure, the restyled 1.8 MT is the better fit.