2004 Toyota Celica Full Review - Consumer Guide Automotive

Toyota's sporty 4-cyl hatchback coupe offers a 140-hp GT model with standard 5-speed manual transmission and a 180-hp GT-S with 6-speed manual. Automatic transmission is available for both Celicas and provides the GT-S with steering-wheel buttons for manual shifting. Other shared options include ABS, front side airbags, remote keyless entry, sunroof, and rear spoiler, plus an Action Package with adjustable rear spoiler and unique lower-body addenda. High-intensity headlamps are now available for the GT as well as the GT-S in Celica's sole change for 2004. Exclusive GT-S options include leather upholstery and 16-inch wheels instead of 15s. JBL premium audio is standard for GT-S, available for GT.

News

Celica makes only a token appearance for 2005, then vanishes from Toyota's U.S. lineup after 35 years. Toyota recently announced that production of American-market '05 Celicas will be only some 500 a month through this December, then some 250 a month through next July. Sales will continue until inventory is used up, but there will be no '06 model. The move was not unexpected, as U.S. Celica sales have been sliding since the sporty coupe's last redesign for the 2000 campaign. Toyota is also dumping the mid-engine MR2 Spyder roadster for lack of American sales interest, with production ending this January. Both sportsters are being redesigned for other markets. The current models' lackluster U.S. showing is a blow to Toyota's efforts at forging a more youthful brand image. That mission will now be left entirely to the three-model Scion line.

2004 Toyota Celica Road Test

Pros	Cons

Acceleration (GT-S 6 speed)	Noise

Handling/roadholding	Passenger room

	Entry/exit

Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings

Acceleration

GT, auto.	GT-S, man.	Class Average
5	6	6.1

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	5.6

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	3.6

Firm and busy on most surfaces, though more annoying than uncomfortable.

Steering/Handling/Braking

GT, auto.	GT-S, man.	Class Average
7	8	8

Agile and fun, abetted by quick, super-sharp steering and flat, grippy cornering. 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	3.1

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	6.1

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	4.9

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	1.2

Only room for small children. Entry/exit the usual coupe duck-and-dive.

Cargo Room

GT, auto.	GT-S, man.	Class Average
5	5	2.8

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	6.2

These high-strung sportsters are more for Generation-Y hotbloods than Baby Boomers, who will likely prefer an Acura RSX or Mini Cooper. But Toyota's reputation for quality, and reliability are strong attractions.

Total Score

GT, auto.	GT-S, man.	Class Average
48	50	47.6

Scores for all Sporty/performance Cars

Low Score		35
Average Score		47
High Score		59

2004 Toyota Celica Prices & Equipment

Model Prices

Prices Updated: 04/15/2004

Trim Name	Retail Price	Dealer Invoice	Destination Charge

GT 2-door hatchback, manual	$17,570	$15,899	$515

GT w/Action Pkg. 2-door hatchback, manual	$19,535	$17,678	$515

GT 2-door hatchback, automatic	$18,370	$16,623	$515

GT w/Action Pkg. 2-door hatchback, automatic	$20,335	$18,402	$515

GT-S 2-door hatchback, manual	$22,235	$20,010	$515

GT-S w/Action Pkg. 2-door hatchback, manual	$24,110	$21,699	$515

GT-S 2-door hatchback, automatic	$22,935	$20,640	$515

GT-S w/Action Pkg. 2-door hatchback, automatic	$24,810	$22,329	$515

Price note: Prices are for vehicles distributed by Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. The dealer invoice and destination charge may be higher in areas served by independent distributors.

Pricing Key: Retail prices listed with each report are set by the vehicle's manufacturer. These figures appear on each car's federally mandated window sticker. Most price lists also include dealer-invoice prices. Dealer-invoice prices are what the dealer pays the manufacturer for the car and its factory-installed options. The destination charge is not included in the suggested-retail or dealer-invoice price and must be added to the cost of the vehicle. Car companies change prices frequently throughout the year. If the prices published do not match those on the vehicle's window sticker, the manufacturer has probably altered the price recently.

NA = price note available, NC = no charge.

Rebates and Incentives

There are no rebates or incentives at this time.

Consumer Guide®'s Rebates and Incentives represent a summary of national manufacturer programs available. Regional restrictions may apply, and offerings may vary by model. For a complete list of Rebate & Incentive programs click here.

Standard Equipment

Powertrain

1.8-liter 4-cylinder 140-horsepower engine, 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission.

Safety

Dual front airbags, daytime running lights.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Air conditioning, power steering, tilt steering wheel, cloth upholstery, front bucket seats, center console, cupholders, split folding rear seat, power mirrors, AM/FM/cassette/CD player, digital clock, tachometer, rear defogger, intermittent wipers, visor mirrors, automatic headlights.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Bodyside cladding (Action Pkg.), adjustable rear spoiler (Action Pkg.), 195/60VR15 tires, wheel covers.

GT-S adds to GT:

Powertrain

1.8-liter 4-cylinder 180-horsepower engine, 6-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission w/manual-shift capability.

Safety

4-wheel disc brakes.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Leather-wrapped steering wheel, cruise control, power windows, power door locks, JBL sound system, power antenna, intermittent rear wiper.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Fog lights, 205/55VR15 tires, alloy wheels.

Optional Equipment

Major Packages	Retail Price	Invoice Price
Upgrade Pkg.
GT	$820	$656
Cruise control, power windows and door locks.

All Weather Guard Pkg.
GT	$270	$223
Intermittent rear wiper, heavy-duty rear defogger, heavy-duty battery and starter. Std. GT-S.

Preferred Accessory Pkg.
GT, GT-S	$722	$443
Remote keyless entry, first-aid kit, cargo net, cargo mat, floormats, theft-deterrent system. GT requires Upgrade Pkg.

Safety
Antilock brakes
GT, GT-S	$300	$258


Front side airbags
GT, GT-S	$250	$215


Comfort and Convenience Features
Power sunroof
GT, GT-S	$900	$720
GT requires Upgrade Pkg.

Remote keyless entry
GT, GT-S	$230	$184
GT requires Upgrade Pkg.

Leather upholstery
GT-S	$660	$528
Requires power sunroof.

JBL sound system
GT	$525	$394
Includes power antenna.

6-disc CD changer
GT, GT-S	$550	$381


Automatic day/night rearview mirror
GT, GT-S	$295	$204


Security System
GT, GT-S	$499	$299
Remote keyless entry, theft-deterrent system. GT requires Upgrade Pkg.

Floormats
GT, GT-S	$145	$89
Includes cargo mat.

Appearance and Miscellaneous
Rear spoiler
GT	$545	$436
GT-S	$435	$348
GT includes fog lights. GT requires alloy wheels.

Fog lights
GT	$110	$88


Xenon headlights
GT, GT-S	$515	$412


Alloy wheels
GT	$385	$308


205/50VR16 tires
GT-S	$60	$48

2004 Toyota Celica Specs & Safety

Vehicle Dimensions

Specification	Toyota Celica 2-door hatchback

Wheelbase, in.	102.4

Overall Length, in.	170.5

Overall Width, in.	68.3

Overall Height, in.	51.4

Curb Weight, lbs.	2425

Cargo Volume, cu. ft.	16.9

Standard Payload, lbs.	--

Fuel Capacity, gals.	14.5

Seating Capacity	4

Front Head Room, in.	38.4

Max. Front Leg Room, in.	43.6

Rear Head Room, in.	35.0

Max. Rear Leg Room, in.	27.0

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

Engines

	dohc I4	dohc I4

Size, liters/cu. in.	1.8 /109	1.8 /110

Horsepower @ rpm.	140 @ 6400	180 @ 7600

Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm.	125 @ 4200	130 @ 6800

Availability	Standard	Standard

EPA City / highway mpg

5-speed manual	27/33	--/--

6-speed manual	--/--	24/33

4-speed automatic	29/36	25/31

Engine Key: l/cu in. = liters/cubic inches; ohv = overhead valve; ohc = overhead camshaft; dohc = dual overhead camshaft; I = inline cylinders; H = horizonally opposed cylinders; V = cylinders in a V configuration; W = cylinders in a W configuration; rpm = revolutions per minute; CVT = continuously variable (automatic) transmission; NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Safety Features

Antilock Brakes

Traction Control

Antiskid System

Front Side Airbags

Curtain Side Airbags

Rear Side Airbags

NHTSA Crash-Test Results

Test	Toyota Celica 2-door hatchback

Front Impact, Driver	4

Front Impact, Passenger	4

Rollover Resistance	5

Side Impact, Driver	3

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%.

Manufacturer's Warranty

Class	Years/Miles	Comments

Powertrain	5/60,000	8/100,000 on Prius hybrid-related components.

Bumper-to-bumper	3/36,000	--

Corrosion	5/unlimited	--

Free roadside assistance	None/--	3/36,000 on Prius.

Free scheduled maintenance	None/--	--

Manufacturers may periodically offer additional coverage as a purchase incentive. There offers are not reflected on this chart. The federal government requires two other warranties. The Exhaust Emission Warranty covers corrosion-related parts for 2 years/24,000 miles, plus 8 years/80,000 miles on the catalytic converter and any on-board diagnostic device. The Passenger Restraint Warranty covers seat belts and airbags for 5 years/50,000 miles.

Built in: Japan

Drivewheels: front-wheel drive

< 2004 Toyota Celica Photos

Also in the 2004 Toyota Celica Review:

Toyota Celica

Toyota Celica Road Test

Toyota Celica Prices & Equipment

Toyota Celica Specs & Safety

Toyota Celica Photos

Toyota Celica Full Review

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