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2002 Toyota Celica Road Test
Date Published: 7/31/08
Also in the 2002 Toyota Celica Review:
Our road test for the 2002 Toyota Celica includes a full evaluation of the
2002 Toyota Celica from the inside out. We evaluate not only engine and
handling performance for the 2002 Toyota Celica, but also interior cabin
and cargo space. Let our comprehensive road test ratings for the
2002 Toyota Celica help you decide if a 2002 Toyota Celica is right for
you.
2002 Toyota Celica Road Test
| Pros | Cons |
| Acceleration (GT-S 6-speed) | Noise |
| Handling/roadholding | Passenger room |
| Entry/exit | |
Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings
Acceleration
Engines are decently peppy, but only if revved like mad. Manual transmission models are naturally livelier than automatics, though our automatic-transmission test GT delivered adequate power as long as it wasn't climbing a long upgrade.
| GT, auto. | GT-S, man. | Class Average |
| 6 | 7 | 5.7 |
Engines are decently peppy, but only if revved like mad. Manual transmission models are naturally livelier than automatics, though our automatic-transmission test GT delivered adequate power as long as it wasn't climbing a long upgrade.
Fuel Economy
Test manual-transmission GT-S averaged 24.2 mpg on the required premium fuel. GT uses regular; automatic-transmission test model's average of 30.3 mpg was helped by a long highway trip.
| GT, auto. | GT-S, man. | Class Average |
| 8 | 6 | 6.1 |
Test manual-transmission GT-S averaged 24.2 mpg on the required premium fuel. GT uses regular; automatic-transmission test model's average of 30.3 mpg was helped by a long highway trip.
Ride Quality
Firm and busy on most surfaces, though more annoying than uncomfortable.
| GT, auto. | GT-S, man. | Class Average |
| 4 | 4 | 3.5 |
Firm and busy on most surfaces, though more annoying than uncomfortable.
Steering/Handling/Braking
Agile and fun, abetted by sharp, responsive steering and flat, grippy cornering moves. Routine braking on our two test cars was fine with ABS, which should be standard on cars like this, not optional.
| GT, auto. | GT-S, man. | Class Average |
| 7 | 8 | 7.4 |
Agile and fun, abetted by sharp, responsive steering and flat, grippy cornering moves. Routine braking on our two test cars was fine with ABS, which should be standard on cars like this, not optional.
Quietness
Engines are pretty noisy even in gentle cruising and coarse-surface tire roar is high, so long trips can be wearing.
| GT, auto. | GT-S, man. | Class Average |
| 3 | 3 | 3.2 |
Engines are pretty noisy even in gentle cruising and coarse-surface tire roar is high, so long trips can be wearing.
Controls
A sporty driving ambience with mostly simple, handy controls, and great shifter/wheel/pedal spacing. The tachometer and warning lights aren't well placed for easy viewing.
| GT, auto. | GT-S, man. | Class Average |
| 6 | 6 | 5.5 |
A sporty driving ambience with mostly simple, handy controls, and great shifter/wheel/pedal spacing. The tachometer and warning lights aren't well placed for easy viewing.
Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)
Swoopy styling also impedes over-the-shoulder visibility for drivers. Excellent seats but limited space for even moderately tall occupants despite race-car-low positioning.
| GT, auto. | GT-S, man. | Class Average |
| 3 | 3 | 4.5 |
Swoopy styling also impedes over-the-shoulder visibility for drivers. Excellent seats but limited space for even moderately tall occupants despite race-car-low positioning.
Room/Comfort (rear)
Only room for very small children, and even they might complain during entry/exit.
| GT, auto. | GT-S, man. | Class Average |
| 1 | 1 | 1.5 |
Only room for very small children, and even they might complain during entry/exit.
Cargo Room
Not much without folding the split rear seatback. Hatch opens reasonably wide, but bulky boxes won't fit beneath it, and the load floor is irregular in shape.
| GT, auto. | GT-S, man. | Class Average |
| 5 | 5 | 2.9 |
Not much without folding the split rear seatback. Hatch opens reasonably wide, but bulky boxes won't fit beneath it, and the load floor is irregular in shape.
Value within Class
This high-strung sporty coupe is more for Gen-X hotbloods than Baby Boomers, who will likely find the Acura RSX or Volkswagen New Beetle more appealing. But Toyota's reputation for quality, reliability, and high resale value boost Celica's appeal enough to make it a Recommended pick.
| GT, auto. | GT-S, man. | Class Average |
| 6 | 7 | 5.2 |
This high-strung sporty coupe is more for Gen-X hotbloods than Baby Boomers, who will likely find the Acura RSX or Volkswagen New Beetle more appealing. But Toyota's reputation for quality, reliability, and high resale value boost Celica's appeal enough to make it a Recommended pick.
Total Score
| GT, auto. | GT-S, man. | Class Average |
| 49 | 50 | 45.5 |
Scores for all Sporty/performance Cars
| Low Score | 34 | |
| Average Score | 45 | |
| High Score | 59 |
Also in the 2002 Toyota Celica Review:
1.
2.
Toyota Celica Road Test
3.
4.
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