Toyota Opa: Which Version Should You Buy?
The Toyota Opa choice comes down to three distinct specifications: the 1.8 AT with 125 hp and AWD, the front-wheel-drive 1.8 AT offered with 132 hp or 136 hp depending on production period, and the 2.0 CVT with 152 hp and FWD. The 2.0 CVT delivers the strongest performance, while the 132 hp 1.8 AT has the lowest listed kerb weight. The 125 hp 1.8 AT is the only AWD option.
The Toyota Opa choice comes down to three distinct specifications: the 1.8 AT with 125 hp and AWD, the front-wheel-drive 1.8 AT offered with 132 hp or 136 hp depending on production period, and the 2.0 CVT with 152 hp and FWD. The 2.0 CVT delivers the strongest performance, while the 132 hp 1.8 AT has the lowest listed kerb weight. The 125 hp 1.8 AT is the only AWD option. All versions are Gasoline-powered Estate 5-door models with front, transverse engines.
Toyota Opa generations and version changes
The original Toyota Opa generation ran from May 2000 through May 2002 as an Estate 5-door and contained four versions. These were the 125 hp 1.8 AT with AWD, the 132 hp 1.8 AT with FWD, the 136 hp 1.8 AT with FWD, and the 152 hp 2.0 CVT with FWD.
The restyled phase ran from June 2002 through August 2005, remaining an Estate 5-door. Its range was reduced to three versions: the 125 hp 1.8 AT with AWD, the 132 hp 1.8 AT with FWD, and the 152 hp 2.0 CVT with FWD. The 136 hp 1.8 AT listed for the earlier production period is absent from the restyled range.
The comparable versions retained the same listed engine outputs, transmissions, drive layouts, kerb weights, ground clearances, tank capacities, suspension arrangements and braking specifications across the two production periods. On the supplied specifications, choosing between an earlier and a restyled example does not change the figures for the equivalent version.
Toyota Opa engine and specs comparison
| Production period | Version | Power | Torque | Displacement | Fuel | Cylinders and layout | Boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 2000–May 2002 | 1.8 AT (125 hp) | 125 hp at 6000 rpm | 161 Nm at 4200 rpm | 1794 cc | Gasoline, 95 | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | AWD |
| May 2000–May 2002 | 1.8 AT (132 hp) | 132 hp at 6000 rpm | 170 Nm at 4200 rpm | 1794 cc | Gasoline, 95 | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
| May 2000–May 2002 | 1.8 AT (136 hp) | 136 hp at 6000 rpm | 171 Nm at 4200 rpm | 1794 cc | Gasoline, 95 | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
| May 2000–May 2002 | 2.0 CVT | 152 hp at 6000 rpm | 200 Nm at 4000 rpm | 1998 cc | Gasoline, 95 | 4, Inline | No | Variable | FWD |
| June 2002–August 2005 | 1.8 AT (125 hp) | 125 hp at 6000 rpm | 161 Nm at 4200 rpm | 1794 cc | Gasoline, 95 | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | AWD |
| June 2002–August 2005 | 1.8 AT (132 hp) | 132 hp at 6000 rpm | 170 Nm at 4200 rpm | 1794 cc | Gasoline, 95 | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
| June 2002–August 2005 | 2.0 CVT | 152 hp at 6000 rpm | 200 Nm at 4000 rpm | 1998 cc | Gasoline, 95 | 4, Inline | No | Variable | FWD |
Both 1.8 AT engine specifications use distributed injection (multi-point), a compression ratio of 10 and a bore and stroke of 79 × 91.5. The 2.0 CVT uses direct injection (direct), a compression ratio of 9.8 and an 86 × 86 bore and stroke. Every listed engine has 4 valves per cylinder and a front, transverse mounting.
Calculated from the supplied displacement and output figures, the 125 hp 1.8 AT produces about 69.7 hp per litre, the 132 hp 1.8 AT about 73.6 hp per litre, and the earlier 136 hp 1.8 AT about 75.8 hp per litre. The 2.0 CVT reaches about 76.1 hp per litre. Its advantage is therefore not merely its larger engine capacity: it also has the highest specific output, although only narrowly ahead of the 136 hp 1.8 AT.
Toyota Opa performance and economy
The 2.0 CVT is the only version with a measured acceleration figure: 0–100 km/h takes 10 seconds. Its maximum speed is 200 km/h. Acceleration for every 1.8 AT version is not measured, while their listed maximum speed is 190 km/h.
The 2.0 CVT has 20 Nm more torque than the 132 hp 1.8 AT, 29 Nm more than the 136 hp 1.8 AT, and 39 Nm more than the 125 hp 1.8 AT. Its peak torque also arrives at 4000 rpm, compared with 4200 rpm for every 1.8 AT. In maximum-speed terms, it adds 10 km/h over each 1.8 AT specification.
City fuel consumption is not measured for any Toyota Opa version. Highway fuel consumption is not measured, and combined fuel consumption is also not measured. Consequently, the supplied figures cannot support an mpg comparison or a claim that one engine is more economical. CO₂ output and emissions class are not measured for every version as well.
Toyota Opa dimensions, weight and running specifications
| Version | Kerb weight | Gross weight | Ground clearance | Fuel tank | Wheel sizes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.8 AT (125 hp, AWD) | 1310 kg | not measured | 155 mm | 60 L | not measured |
| 1.8 AT (132 hp, FWD) | 1210 kg | not measured | 160 mm | 60 L | 195/65 R15 or 185/70 R14 |
| 1.8 AT (136 hp, FWD) | 1210 kg | not measured | 160 mm | 60 L | not measured |
| 2.0 CVT | 1270 kg | not measured | 160 mm | 60 L | not measured |
These specifications apply in both production periods wherever the corresponding version was offered. The 132 hp and 136 hp 1.8 AT versions are the lightest at 1210 kg. The 2.0 CVT is 60 kg heavier, while the AWD 125 hp 1.8 AT is 100 kg heavier than the front-wheel-drive 1.8 AT versions and 40 kg heavier than the 2.0 CVT.
The calculated weight-to-power figures sharpen the comparison. The 125 hp 1.8 AT carries about 10.5 kg per hp, the 132 hp 1.8 AT about 9.2 kg per hp, the 136 hp 1.8 AT about 8.9 kg per hp, and the 2.0 CVT about 8.4 kg per hp. The 2.0 CVT therefore has the strongest power-to-weight relationship, while the AWD 1.8 AT has the weakest.
All versions use independent, spring front suspension, ventilated disc front brakes and Drum rear brakes. The 125 hp AWD 1.8 AT and the 2.0 CVT have independent, spring rear suspension. The FWD 1.8 AT specifications have semi-independent, spring rear suspension.
Which Toyota Opa version should you buy?
Choose the 1.8 AT with 125 hp when AWD is the deciding requirement. It is the only AWD Toyota Opa in the supplied range, but its drivetrain choice comes with measurable compromises: it is 100 kg heavier than the FWD 1.8 AT, has 5 mm less ground clearance, and produces 7 hp and 9 Nm less than the 132 hp 1.8 AT. Its 10.5 kg-per-hp figure is also the least favorable of the available specifications.
Choose the 1.8 AT with 132 hp for the broadest balance of low kerb weight, FWD and conventional Automatic transmission. At 1210 kg, it matches the lowest weight in the range. Compared with the AWD 125 hp 1.8 AT, it gains 7 hp and 9 Nm while shedding 100 kg. It is also offered in both the original and restyled production periods, and it is the only specification with listed wheel-size choices: 195/65 R15 and 185/70 R14.
Choose the earlier 1.8 AT with 136 hp if you want the strongest listed 1.8 AT. It keeps the 1210 kg kerb weight of the 132 hp version but adds 4 hp and 1 Nm, improving the calculated ratio from about 9.2 to 8.9 kg per hp. Its limitation is availability within the catalogue: this output appears only in the May 2000–May 2002 range, not in the June 2002–August 2005 restyling.
Choose the 2.0 CVT when acceleration and output matter most. It provides 152 hp and 200 Nm, reaches 200 km/h, and is the only version with a measured 0–100 km/h time of 10 seconds. Against the 132 hp 1.8 AT, it brings 20 extra hp and 30 extra Nm for 60 kg of additional kerb weight. Against the 136 hp 1.8 AT, it adds 16 hp and 29 Nm for the same 60 kg increase. Its 8.4 kg per hp is the best calculated result in the range.
There is no supported basis here for comparing used prices, cars for sale, reliability or Toyota Opa problems because those figures and records are not measured in the supplied data. Based strictly on the catalogue specifications, the 2.0 CVT is the performance choice, the 132 hp 1.8 AT is the balanced choice, the earlier 136 hp 1.8 AT is the most powerful 1.8 option, and the 125 hp 1.8 AT is the choice for buyers who specifically need AWD.