1990-1993 Toyota Celica Full Review - Consumer Guide Automotive

Our in-depth review covers everything you need to know about this generation Toyota Celica. Get the latest news, find a local dealer, and get a free price quote for this generation Toyota Celica.

1990-1993 Toyota Celica Review

Curvaceously restyled for 1990, Toyota's sports coupe rode the same front-drive wheelbase as the prior Celica generation. A 2-door coupe and 2-door hatchback went on sale. Two new engines debuted, and a driver-side airbag went into all Celicas. The base engine was a twin-cam 1.6-liter 4 cylinder. The Celica GT and GT-S carried a new 130-horsepower, 2.2-liter 4-cylinder engine. Most Celica models were front-wheel drive, with either 5-speed manual shift or a 4-speed automatic. The All-Trac (permanently engaged 4-wheel-drive) edition employed a 200-horsepower, 2.0-liter turbocharged engine and came only with manual shift.

Year to Year Changes

1991 Toyota Celica: Coupes and hatchbacks were joined by a convertible for 1991, offered in GT trim with a power-operated top that was covered by a soft tonneau when folded down.

1992 Toyota Celica: Celicas earned a modest facelift this year, including a reshaped nose, new taillamps, and larger wheels/tires for ST and GT models. Availability of antilock braking expanded to the GT coupe. Both GT models had a standard rear spoiler.

1993 Toyota Celica: Antilock brakes became standard on the top-line Celica All-Track, and optional on the GT convertible. Few other changes were evident in what would be the Celica's final season in this form.

1990-1993 Toyota Celica Road Test

Pros	Cons

Acceleration (exc. ST)	Rear-seat room

Handling/roadholding	Rear visibility

Fuel economy	Entry/exit

Optional antilock brakes	Cargo room

	Engine noise

	Acceleration (ST automatic)

Consumer Guide® Road-Test Evaluation

Handling and roadholding are decent with an ST and quite sporty with a GT or GT-S. Those two stick to the road tautly and respond well in changes of direction. Each model offers refined road manners and a solid "feel." The ST's suspension has the softest damping, therefore, ride quality is somewhat smoother. Other Celica models don't absorb bumps quite as well, but suffer minimal cornering lean and crisper steering response. An All-Trac not only hugs the road tenaciously, but delivers a mighty blast of power. Refined road manners and an impressively solid bearing are particularly borne out by the convertible, which suffers only minimal body shake of the sort that's all too common in drop-tops. Base-engine performance is adequate with a 5-speed, but automatic drains away its strength. Manual shift is also the best performance bet with the 2.2-liter engine, though acceleration and gas mileage are impressive with either transmission. Few cars in this category isolate their occupants better from engine and wind noise, but tire roar and exhaust sounds grow intrusive. Low-set seats mix with a high-waisted profile to impair outward visibility. Space is okay up front, but tall drivers (and front passengers) might have to recline the front seatbacks to get adequate head room. The backseat is limited to youngsters, while cargo space is marginal in size and suffers from a high liftover.

Value for the Money
Like most Toyotas, Celicas are well-built. They're also reliable, and serve as models of ergonomic intelligence.

Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings

Toyota Celica GT automatic	Rating

Performance	5

Fuel Economy	6

Ride Quality	3

Steering/Handling/Braking	5

Quietness	2

Controls/Materials	4

Interior Room	4

Room/Comfort (rear)	2

Cargo Capacity	3

Value within Class	5

Total:	39

Each vehicle report contains one rating chart for representative model. Consumer Guide® rates in ten key areas: Performance, Fuel Economy, Ride Comfort, Steering and Handling, Interior Noise, Controls and Materials, Driver Room, Passenger Room, Cargo Capacity, and Insurance Costs. These ratings compare the particular vehicle rated to ALL other vehicles, not a vehicle's standing in a particular class. In the ratings table, "1" is the lowest rating and "10" is the highest rating.

1990-1993 Toyota Celica Reliability

Trouble Spots

Consumer Guide's® Auto Editors have scoured repair bulletins and questioned mechanics to search for commonly occurring problems for a particular vehicle. In some cases we also give possible manufacturer-suggested solutions. In many instances these trouble spots are Technical Service Bulletins posted by the manufacturer, however, we have our own expert looking at additional vehicle problems.

Air conditioner: Expansion-valve failure may lead to ineffective air-conditioner operation. (1992-93)

Audio system: Panasonic CD players may skip, fail to play, or show "ERR" (1992-93) while Fujitsu 10 CD players may not load or eject. (1990-92)

Doors: The fuel door may rattle. (1990-93)

Engine misfire: Poor engine performance under light throttle may be corrected with a new EGR vacuum modulator. (1990-93)

Seat: The headrests rattle, and dealers were repairing the supports by wrapping them with self-adhesive felt tape. (1990)

Water pump: The original water-pump seal was prone to leaking requiring water pump replacement. (1990-93)

Consumer Guide® Estimated Repair Costs

This table lists costs of likely repairs for comparison with other vehicles. The dollar amount includes the cost of the part(s) and labor (based on $50 per hour) for the typical repair without extras or add-ons. Like the pricing information, replacement costs can vary widely depending on region. Expect charges at a new-car dealership to be slightly higher.


Item Name	Repair Cost

A/C Compressor	$385

Alternator	$520

Automatic Transmission or Transaxle	$680

Brakes	$270

Clutch, Pressure Plate, Bearing	$425

Constant Velocity Joints	$950

Exhaust System	$340

Radiator	$465

Shocks and/or Struts	$1,040

Timing Chain or Belt	$185

NHTSA Recall History

1990: Airbag inflator might be defective.

1990-1993 Toyota Celica Prices

Prices	Good	Average	Poor

1990
All-Trac	$1,900-2,500	$1,300-1,700	$300-400
Celica	$1,000-1,600	$600-1,000	$100-200

1991
All-Trac	$2,100-2,800	$1,500-2,000	$400-500
Celica	$1,100-1,900	$700-1,200	$100-200
Convertible	$1,800-2,500	$1,200-1,700	$300-400

1992
All-Trac	$2,400-3,100	$1,700-2,200	$500-600
Celica	$1,300-2,100	$800-1,300	$200-300
Convertible	$2,200-2,900	$1,600-2,100	$400-600

1993
All-Trac	$2,800-3,500	$2,100-2,600	$600-800
Celica	$1,400-2,400	$900-1,500	$200-300
Convertible	$2,600-3,300	$1,900-2,400	$500-700

This chart details a range of prices in year-by-year listings for vehicles in three condition levels:

Good: a clean low-mileage, solid-running vehicle that needs little or no repair.

Average: a car with normal miles on the odometer, perhaps a few scrapes or dings; engine might need a minor repair or two, but runs acceptably well.

Poor: might have potentially dangerous problems with the engine and/or body, or abnormally high mileage; definitely in need of mechanical attention. Valuations reflect wholesale prices paid by dealers at auction, and retail prices on used-car lots. Each range covers all trim levels and engine types for a vehicle with a typical amount of equipment--usually an automatic transmission, air conditioning, stereo, etc. Fully loaded vehicles may cost more. Average mileage is 12,000 miles per year. Keep in mind that these are guidelines only. Actual selling prices vary- especially from region to region.

1990-1993 Toyota Celica Specs & Safety

Vehicle Dimensions

Specification	2-door convertible	2-door coupe	2-door hatchback

Wheelbase, in.	99.4	99.4	99.4

Overall Length, in.	176.0	176.0	173.6

Overall Width, in.	67.1	67.1	67.1

Overall Height, in.	50.6	50.6	50.6

Curb Weight, lbs.	2844	2447	2646

Cargo Volume, cu. ft.	12.6	12.6	24.7

Standard Payload, lbs.	--	--	--

Fuel Capacity, gals.	15.9	15.9	15.9

Seating Capacity	4	4	4

Front Head Room, in.	37.7	37.7	37.7

Max. Front Leg Room, in.	42.9	42.9	42.9

Rear Head Room, in.	33.0	33.0	33.0

Max. Rear Leg Room, in.	26.8	26.8	26.8

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Powertrain Options and Availability

Celicas came with a choice of three engines, depending on model: a 1.6-liter 4-cylinder in the ST; a 2.2-liter four in the GT and GT-S; and a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder in the All-Trac. All except the All Trac might have either 5-speed manual shift or an optional 4-speed automatic transmission.

Engines	Size liters / cu. in	Horse- power	Torque	Transmission: EPA city/hgwy	Consumer Guide Observed

dohc I4	1.6 / 97	103	102	5-speed manual: 25/32 4-speed automatic: 24/31	5-speed manual: 22.3 4-speed automatic: --

Turbocharged dohc I4	2.0 / 122	200	200	5-speed manual: 19/24	5-speed manual: --

dohc I4	2.2 / 132	130-135	140	5-speed manual: 22/28 4-speed automatic: 20/27	5-speed manual: -- 4-speed automatic: 25.3

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

NHTSA Crash-Test Results

Test	1993 Celica

Front Impact, Driver	3

Front Impact, Passenger	4

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Side-impact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.

Built In: Japan

Drive Wheels: transverse front-engine/front- or all-wheel drive

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Also in the 1990-1993 Toyota Celica Review:

Toyota Celica

Toyota Celica Road Test

Toyota Celica Reliability

Toyota Celica Prices

Toyota Celica Specs & Safety

Toyota Celica Photos

Toyota Celica Full Review