Before the Echo
The late seventies and early eighties were marked by the influx of the sub-compact and compact Japanese vehicles. At the forefront, Toyota and Honda were already battling it out. The Starlet and Corolla had already begun rooming the streets a few years before. Toyota now wanted to offer something that fit nicely between the two. 1980 was the first year that the North American market laid eyes on the Tercel although the car had already been available in other markets since 1978.
Throughout the Tercel's twenty year career, it received many awards. In the span of those two decades, it underwent five overhauls. Nearly every time, a new body style was added and the engines were changed. With every new generation, the small Toyota would gain is size and equipment. The Tercel went on to be very successful and positioned itself as a benchmark in the sub-compact segment. 1999 brought the end for the Tercel as it was replaced by the Echo.
Styling
From a design point of view, the Tercel was a typical compact Japanese car. This meant that it managed without a big flashy grill, body-side cladding and alloy wheels. Its styling was fairly dry but not without personality. Even if there was nothing to catch your eye, it still did. The Tercel looked very sympathetic, calm and warm; almost like a good friend. Of all the available
configurations from the inception of the Tercel, the fifth and final version was available as either a 2-door coupe or a 4-door sedan. In 1998, the car was given a few aesthetic upgrades including new headlights, taillights and a revised grille.
The cabin of the small Toyota is austere yet inviting. The dashboard is proof-positive that pure functionality can flow from extreme simplicity. The materials are from the inexpensive bin but the fit and finish is actually quite good. The front seats were soft and comfortable although I fear that their lack of both lumbar and lateral support will make the passengers uneasy on a long drive. Interior space is generous enough to accommodate four passengers and the trunk is also capable of swallowing a lot of stuff.
Technical
In the course of the 1995-99 generation, Toyota offered but a single engine. It was a DOHC 1.5L inline 4-cylinder. It produced 93 hp and 100 lb/ft of torque. Transmission selection resided between a 5-speed manual and a 4-speed automatic. The suspension was front independent and rear semi-independent. The braking system was comprised of front discs and rear drums.
The late seventies and early eighties were marked by the influx of the sub-compact and compact Japanese vehicles. At the forefront, Toyota and Honda were already battling it out. The Starlet and Corolla had already begun rooming the streets a few years before. Toyota now wanted to offer something that fit nicely between the two. 1980 was the first year that the North American market laid eyes on the Tercel although the car had already been available in other markets since 1978.
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| (Photo: Philippe Champoux, Auto123.com) |
Styling
From a design point of view, the Tercel was a typical compact Japanese car. This meant that it managed without a big flashy grill, body-side cladding and alloy wheels. Its styling was fairly dry but not without personality. Even if there was nothing to catch your eye, it still did. The Tercel looked very sympathetic, calm and warm; almost like a good friend. Of all the available
 |
| (Photo: Philippe Champoux, Auto123.com) |
The cabin of the small Toyota is austere yet inviting. The dashboard is proof-positive that pure functionality can flow from extreme simplicity. The materials are from the inexpensive bin but the fit and finish is actually quite good. The front seats were soft and comfortable although I fear that their lack of both lumbar and lateral support will make the passengers uneasy on a long drive. Interior space is generous enough to accommodate four passengers and the trunk is also capable of swallowing a lot of stuff.
Technical
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| (Photo: Philippe Champoux, Auto123.com) |