2003 Toyota Celica: Road Test
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2003 Toyota Celica ▼
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- MSRP: $17,340 -$22,705
- Invoice: $15,691 -$20,434
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Our road test for the 2003 Toyota Celica includes a full evaluation of the 2003 Toyota Celica from the inside out. We evaluate not only engine and handling performance for the 2003 Toyota Celica, but also interior cabin and cargo space. Let our comprehensive road test ratings for the 2003 Toyota Celica help you decide if a 2003 Toyota Celica is right for you.
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ACCELERATION
| GT, auto. | GT-S, man. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | 6 | 5.9 |
Engines are decently peppy, but only if revved like mad. Both provide best performance with manual transmission, but test automatic-transmission GT had acceptable punch except on long upgrades.
FUEL ECONOMY
| GT, auto. | GT-S, man. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|
| 7 | 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
| 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
| GT, auto. | GT-S, man. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|
| 7 | 8 | 7.7 |
Agile and fun, abetted by super-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
| GT, auto. | GT-S, man. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 3 | 3.2 |
Engines are quite noisy even in gentle cruising and coarse-surface tire roar is high, so long trips can be wearing.
CONTROLS
| GT, auto. | GT-S, man. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | 6 | 6 |
A sporty driving ambience with mostly simple, handy controls, and great shifter/wheel/pedal spacing. The tachometer and warning lights aren't well designed or placed for easy reading.
ROOM/COMFORT/DRIVER SEATING (FRONT)
| GT, auto. | GT-S, man. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | 4 | 4.7 |
Swoopy styling impedes over-the-shoulder visibility for drivers. Excellent seats, but space limited for even moderately tall occupants despite race-car-low positioning.
ROOM/COMFORT (REAR)
| GT, auto. | GT-S, man. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 1.1 |
Only room for small children. Entry/exit the usual coupe duck-and-dive.
CARGO ROOM
| GT, auto. | GT-S, man. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | 5 | 3 |
Not much without folding the split rear seatback. Hatch opens reasonably wide, but bulky boxes won't fit beneath it, and load floor shape is irregular.
VALUE WITHIN CLASS
| GT, auto. | GT-S, man. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | 7 | 6.1 |
These high-strung sportsters are more for Gen-X hotbloods than Baby Boomers, who will likely prefer an Acura RSX, Ford Mustang, or Volkswagen New Beetle. But Toyota's reputation for quality, reliability, and high resale value are strong attractions--enough to make Celica a Recommended choice.
Total Score
| GT, auto. | GT-S, man. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|
| 48 | 50 | 47.3 |
Total Score: 49
Scores for all Sporty/performance Cars
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