Toyota Paseo

Toyota Paseo: Which Version Should You Buy?

Choosing a Toyota Paseo largely comes down to deciding between the more powerful Coupe generation and the later Cabrio generation. The first generation, produced from 1991 through 1996, offers 115 hp, 135 Nm and a choice of FWD or AWD.

Choosing a Toyota Paseo largely comes down to deciding between the more powerful Coupe generation and the later Cabrio generation. The first generation, produced from 1991 through 1996, offers 115 hp, 135 Nm and a choice of FWD or AWD. The second generation Cabrio, produced from 1996 through 1999, has 90 hp and 130 Nm, uses FWD exclusively and offers either a 5-speed Manual or a 4-speed Automatic. Based strictly on the available specifications, the first generation is the stronger choice for power, while the later 1.5 MT is the best-documented choice for buyers who prioritize known performance, weight and capacity figures.

Toyota Paseo generations compared

The first-generation Toyota Paseo is a Coupe with four listed versions. All carry the exact version names 1.5 MT or 1.5 AT, but they differ by gearbox and drive: the 1.5 MT is listed with either FWD or AWD, while the 1.5 AT is also listed with either FWD or AWD. Production runs from 1991 through 1996.

The second-generation Toyota Paseo is a Cabrio produced from 1996 through 1999. It has three listed versions: two entries named 1.5 MT and one named 1.5 AT. All are FWD. The two 1.5 MT entries share the same engine output and gearbox, but only one has measured acceleration, maximum speed, weight, tank capacity and rear-suspension data. Consequently, specification completeness—not engine output—is the meaningful distinction between those two records.

The generations overlap in 1996 according to the supplied production dates. Buyers comparing a Toyota Paseo 96 should therefore identify the generation and body before comparing specifications: the first-generation car is a Coupe with 115 hp, whereas the second-generation car is a Cabrio with 90 hp.

Toyota Paseo engine specs and versions

Every listed Toyota Paseo uses a 1497 cc Gasoline engine with 4 Inline cylinders, 4 valves per cylinder, no boost and a Front, transverse installation. Distributed injection (multi-point) is standard across the records, as is fuel grade 95. Bore and stroke are 74 × 87 in every version.

The first-generation engine produces 25 hp and 5 Nm more than the second-generation unit. Its specific output is approximately 76.8 hp per litre, compared with approximately 60.1 hp per litre for the later engine. Peak power also arrives 1200 rpm higher in the first generation, while its peak torque occurs 1000 rpm earlier.

These figures make the first-generation engine the clear choice when output is the deciding factor. The second generation does not compensate with greater quoted torque: it produces 130 Nm rather than 135 Nm. Engine code, engine-oil specification and engine-swap compatibility are not measured in the supplied data.

Toyota Paseo performance and economy

Performance figures are incomplete, so comparisons must distinguish measured values from missing ones.

The first-generation 1.5 MT with 115 hp and AWD has the highest measured maximum speed at 195 km/h, which is 10 km/h above the measured 185 km/h of the later 1.5 MT. However, its 0–100 km/h time is not measured. Conversely, the second-generation 1.5 MT is the only entry with a measured acceleration time, reaching 100 km/h in 10.9 seconds.

No city, highway or combined fuel-consumption figure is measured for any Toyota Paseo version in the supplied specifications. CO₂ output and ecological class are also not measured, so the data cannot support an mpg or emissions-based recommendation.

Toyota Paseo dimensions, weight and capacity

Exterior length, width and height are not measured for any listed version. Wheel sizes are also not measured throughout the range.

All first-generation versions have 140 mm of ground clearance. The first-generation 1.5 MT with 115 hp and AWD has a measured kerb weight of 870 kg; gross weight and tank capacity are not measured. Kerb weight, gross weight and tank capacity are not measured for the other three first-generation versions.

The second-generation 1.5 MT with measured performance has a kerb weight of 990 kg, a gross weight of 1385 kg, 140 mm of ground clearance and a 45-litre tank. Its gross-minus-kerb difference is 395 kg. The other second-generation 1.5 MT and the 1.5 AT have 130 mm of ground clearance, while their kerb weight, gross weight and tank capacity are not measured.

Among the two entries with measured kerb weight, the first-generation 1.5 MT AWD is 120 kg lighter than the second-generation 1.5 MT. It also has a substantially stronger measured power-to-weight result: approximately 7.6 kg per hp for the 870 kg, 115 hp Coupe versus 11 kg per hp for the 990 kg, 90 hp Cabrio. Expressed the other way, these figures are approximately 132.2 hp per tonne and 90.9 hp per tonne.

Suspension and brake differences

Every version has an Independent, spring front suspension. First-generation versions also have an Independent, spring rear suspension, Ventilated disc front brakes and Disc rear brakes.

The fully documented second-generation 1.5 MT combines an Independent, spring front suspension with a Semi-independent rear suspension, Disc front brakes and Drum rear brakes. Rear suspension and rear brake type are not measured for the other second-generation 1.5 MT or the 1.5 AT; their front brakes are Disc.

On available specifications alone, the first generation provides the more comprehensive brake description, including Ventilated disc front brakes and Disc rear brakes across all four versions.

Which Toyota Paseo version should you buy?

Choose a first-generation 1.5 MT with 115 hp if power is the priority. It delivers 25 hp more than every second-generation version, and the AWD entry combines that output with the catalogue’s highest measured top speed of 195 km/h. It is also the only version with both measured kerb weight and the stronger calculated power-to-weight figure of approximately 7.6 kg per hp.

Between first-generation drivetrains, choose the 1.5 MT for a Manual, 5-speed gearbox or the 1.5 AT for an Automatic, 4-speed gearbox. Both are offered with FWD or AWD, and all produce the same 115 hp and 135 Nm. Because acceleration, consumption and most weight figures are not measured, the data does not establish that one of these four versions is faster or more economical than another.

Choose the second-generation 1.5 MT with measured performance if you want the Cabrio body and the most complete set of usable specifications. It has 90 hp, 130 Nm, FWD, a Manual, 5-speed gearbox, a 10.9-second 0–100 km/h time, a 185 km/h top speed, a 990 kg kerb weight and a 45-litre tank. It also provides 140 mm of clearance, compared with 130 mm for the other two second-generation records.

Choose the second-generation 1.5 AT if an Automatic gearbox matters more than documented performance. It has the same 90 hp and 130 Nm as both later 1.5 MT entries, but its acceleration, top speed, consumption, weight and tank capacity are not measured.

The catalogue data contains no prices, sale listings, parts availability, reliability records or problem reports. It therefore cannot determine what any extra purchase cost buys, nor support a recommendation based on maintenance or market value. Based solely on the measured numbers, the first-generation 1.5 MT with 115 hp and AWD is the performance-oriented choice; the fully documented second-generation 1.5 MT is the evidence-based Cabrio choice; and the 1.5 AT versions suit buyers whose primary requirement is an Automatic, 4-speed gearbox.