The Toyota Tercel was a subcompact vehicle sold across five generations, featuring a variety of body styles, including coupe, sedan, hatchback, and station wagon. Produced from 1978 to 1999, the Tercel was Toyota's first front-wheel drive vehicle. The Tercel debuted in North America in 1980 powered by a 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine paired with either four- and five-speed manual transmissions or a three-speed automatic. The Tercel featured rack-and-pinion steering for improved handling and steering response. The second-generation Toyota Tercel arrived in 1982, adding a four-door station wagon to the body options.
Toyota Tercel evolution
The third-generation Toyota Tercel was launched in 1986 and featured larger dimensions than its predecessors, as well as fully independent suspension. The station wagon variant was discontinued after the launch of the fourth-generation Tercel in 1990, though a second dual-overhead cam engine became available. The choice of transmissions remained the same, with two- and four-door sedans being the only available body styles. The fifth-generation Toyota Tercel represented the pinnacle of the car's evolution, debuting in 1994 with a stiffer body shell, sharper handling and standard anti-lock brakes. The Tercel's engine options produced more power with better fuel economy, while a four-speed automatic transmission replaced the three-speed found in earlier models.
Toyota Tercel rivals
The Toyota Tercel's low price and reliability position it well against subcompact rivals like the Hyundai Elantra, Nissan Micra, and Mazda 323.
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