1995-1998 Toyota Tercel: Road Test

The latest engine is noisy, but its greater power shows up in quicker acceleration. Nevertheless, performance is still far from lively, even with a manual transmission. Automatic transmissions are rather slow to downshift to deliver suitable highway passing power. Fuel economy is exceptional: We averaged 30 mpg in a DX model with automatic. Though refreshingly frugal, long rides in a Tercel aren't all pleasure, by any means. The suspension allows a lot of bouncing on wavy roads, and the ride becomes choppy on rough surfaces. In addition, there's still plenty of road noise. Handling ability is hampered by narrow tires, which run out of grip early in hard cornering. Inside, the dashboard is simple, functional, and conveniently laid out, but the rear seat remains tight for anyone over 5-foot-10. Adults have ample room up front, but trunk space is on the skimpy side.

Value for the Money
Far from exciting in concept or reality, Tercel's mission has been to be the least-expensive Toyota, and it shows against the plusher, more substantial Corolla and other subcompact leaders. On the other hand, Toyota's reputation for reliability makes the Tercel worth considering if you need basic transportation but are on a tight budget.