1995-1998 Toyota Tercel: Full Review
Updated: 11/23/08
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Learn about the year-to-year changes and reliability for the 1995-1998 Toyota Tercel and our price chart details a range of prices based on vehicle mileage and condition.
Pros
- Maneuverability
- Fuel economy
Cons
- Noise
- Rear-seat room
Vehicle Highlights
Though touted as "all-new," the latest Tercel appeared to be a heavy makeover of the previous model. The 93.7-inch wheelbase and 161.8-inch overall length were unchanged. Tercel sold in three notchback models--a Standard 2-door and better-equipped DX 2-door and 4-door. Safety additions included dual airbags, height-adjustable manual seatbelts, and side door beams. Antilock brakes were optional, on all models. Under the hood was a dual-cam 1.5-liter 4-cylinder with 93 horsepower. The Standard 2-door came with a 4-speed manual transmission and was available with 3-speed automatic. DX models could have a standard 5-speed manual or optional 4-speed automatic.
Expert Ratings Summary (view detailed report)
| Category | Toyota Tercel DX 2-door auto Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 2 | |
| Fuel Economy | 7 | |
| Ride Quality | 3 | |
| Steering/Handling/Braking | 3 | |
| Quietness | 2 | |
| Controls/Materials | 5 | |
| Interior Room | 4 | |
| Room/Comfort (rear) | 3 | |
| Cargo Capacity | 2 | |
| Value within Class | 5 | |
| Total Score: | 36 |
Learn about the year-to-year changes of the 1995-1998 Toyota Tercel. Get full details of the styling and performance changes throughout the history of the 1995-1998 Toyota Tercel.
Year to Year Changes
1996 Toyota Tercel:
Cloth seat trim was a new option for the price-leader 2-door model (vinyl was standard).
1997 Toyota Tercel:
Tercel dropped to a single series, called CE, for '97. The CE blended features of the prior Standard series and the better- equipped DX. Four-speed manual shift was gone, and larger (175/65R14) tires replaced the original 155/80SR13 rubber.
1998 Toyota Tercel:
Initially, the 4-door body style was dropped, leaving only the 2-door CE. Grille, front fascia, taillamps, rear bumper, and bodyside moldings are new, and the rear seats gain headrests. Later, Toyota would drop the entire line in preparation for the introduction of the new Echo subcompact.
Our road test for the 1995-1998 Toyota Tercel includes a full evaluation from the inside out. We've evaluated every aspect of the 1995-1998 Toyota Tercel and highlighted the vehicle's performance with pros and cons. Use our comprehensive road test ratings to decide if this generation 1995-1998 Toyota Tercel is right for you.
Consumer Guide® Road-Test Evaluation
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.
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.
Expert Ratings Summary
| Category | Toyota Tercel DX 2-door auto Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 2 | |
| Fuel Economy | 7 | |
| Ride Quality | 3 | |
| Steering/Handling/Braking | 3 | |
| Quietness | 2 | |
| Controls/Materials | 5 | |
| Interior Room | 4 | |
| Room/Comfort (rear) | 3 | |
| Cargo Capacity | 2 | |
| Value within Class | 5 | |
| Total Score: | 36 |
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.
Our reliability study for this generation Toyota Tercel includes details on average repair costs, manufacturer recalls, and everything you need to know to gauge the long-term reliability of this generation Toyota Tercel .
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.
Audio system:
A poor antenna ground causes static on the AM band of the radio. (1995-96)
Climate control:
Poor heater performance may be due to a defective thermostat. (1995-96)
Dashboard lights:
The check-engine light may come on when the car is driven at altitudes above 5900 feet, which may require a new computer. (1995-96)
Windows:
The front windows may be hard to operate. (1995-96)
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 | $1,350 |
| Alternator | $330 |
| Automatic Transmission or Transaxle | $680 |
| Brakes | $220 |
| Clutch, Pressure Plate, Bearing | $370 |
| Constant Velocity Joints | $1,045 |
| Exhaust System | $355 |
| Radiator | $305 |
| Shocks and/or Struts | $1,100 |
| Timing Chain or Belt | $190 |
Our price chart for this generation Toyota Tercel details a range of prices in
year-by-year listings based on vehicle mileage and condition.
| Prices | Good | Average | Poor |
|
|
|||
| 1998 | |||
| Tercel | $2,300-2,900 | $1,700-2,100 | $400-600 |
| 1997 | |||
| Tercel | $2,000-2,500 | $1,400-1,800 | $300-400 |
| 1996 | |||
| Tercel | $1,700-2,100 | $1,100-1,400 | $300 |
| 1995 | |||
| Tercel | $1,500-1,900 | $1,000-1,200 | $200 |
|
|
|||
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.
Specs for this generation Toyota Tercel include everything from fuel mileage to seating capacity to options availability.
Vehicle Dimensions
| Specification | 2-door coupe | 4-door sedan |
| Wheelbase, in. | 93.7 | 93.7 |
| Overall Length, in. | 161.8 | 161.8 |
| Overall Width, in. | 64.8 | 64.8 |
| Overall Height, in. | 53.2 | 53.2 |
| Curb Weight, lbs. | 1950 | 2005 |
| Cargo Volume, cu. ft. | 9.3 | 9.3 |
| Standard Payload, lbs. | -- | -- |
| Fuel Capacity, gals. | 11.9 | 11.9 |
| Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
| Front Head Room, in. | 38.6 | 38.6 |
| Max. Front Leg Room, in. | 41.2 | 41.2 |
| Rear Head Room, in. | 36.5 | 36.5 |
| Max. Rear Leg Room, in. | 31.9 | 31.9 |
|
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist. |
||
Powertrain Options and Availability
The same engine powered all Tercels: a 1.5-liter, dual-overhead-cam 4-cylinder, developing 93 horsepower. Standard 2-doors had a 4-speed manual transmission; DX models a 5-speed. A 4-speed automatic transmission was available for DX Tercels, and a 3-speed automatic for the Standard 2-door. The 4-speed manual gearbox disappeared after 1996.
| Engines | cu. in |
Horse- power | Torque | Transmission: |
Consumer Guide Observed |
| dohc I4 | 1.5 / 89 | 93 | 100 | 5-speed manual: 34/39 3-speed automatic: 31/35 4-speed automatic: 30/39 |
5-speed manual: 32.5 3-speed automatic: -- 4-speed automatic: 30 |
|
1. 34/40 mpg w/4-speed manual. Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist. |
|||||
Built In: Japan
Drive Wheels: transverse front-engine/front-wheel drive
Detailed safety information for this generation Toyota Tercel include detailed crash test scores from the NHTSA.
NHTSA Crash-Test Results
| Test | 1997 Tercel |
|---|---|
| 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%. Sideimpact 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%.
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