2005 Toyota MR2 Spyder: Road Test
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2005 Toyota MR2 Spyder ▼
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- MSRP: $25,145 -$26,145
- Invoice: $22,754 -$23,659
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Our road test for the 2005 Toyota MR2 Spyder includes a full evaluation of the 2005 Toyota MR2 Spyder from the inside out. We evaluate not only engine and handling performance for the 2005 Toyota MR2 Spyder, but also interior cabin and cargo space. Let our comprehensive road test ratings for the 2005 Toyota MR2 Spyder help you decide if a 2005 Toyota MR2 Spyder is right for you.
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ACCELERATION
| Base, man. | Class Average |
|---|---|
| 6 | 6.3 |
Toyota pegs 0-60 mph at 6.9 sec, but 5-speed test car took almost 8. Still, precise, short-throw gearbox and smooth, light clutch help extract all performance available. No opportunity to test 6-speed SMT.
FUEL ECONOMY
| Base, man. | Class Average |
|---|---|
| 7 | 5.8 |
Nearly as frugal as an everyday Toyota Corolla. Test 5-speed MR2 averaged 26.5 mpg, including gas-eating performance tests. Toyota recommends regular-grade fuel.
RIDE QUALITY
| Base, man. | Class Average |
|---|---|
| 4 | 4 |
Not uncomfortable for a small sports car, but often jiggly due to firm suspension, short wheelbase, low weight, rather limited wheel travel. Some sharp bumps cause minor momentary skipping.
STEERING/HANDLING/BRAKING
| Base, man. | Class Average |
|---|---|
| 9 | 8.1 |
Go-Kart agile, abetted by quick, direct steering. Minimal cornering lean, but midengine layout's rear weight bias demands care on wet roads to avoid unwanted tail sliding. Emergency stops impressively short and flat.
QUIETNESS
| Base, man. | Class Average |
|---|---|
| 3 | 3.2 |
Engine is right behind your ears and thus loud except in very gentle cruising. Plenty of tire thrum and top-up wind rush. Modest top-down buffeting owes more to low-set seats than small standard wind deflector.
CONTROLS
| Base, man. | Class Average |
|---|---|
| 7 | 6.1 |
Cozy cockpit, so everything's reachable and readable. Climate and audio controls are large, intuitive, well-placed.
ROOM/COMFORT/DRIVER SEATING (FRONT)
| Base, man. | Class Average |
|---|---|
| 4 | 5.1 |
Low-slung cockpit has barely adequate 6-footer space, thinly padded seats, pedals set too close together for larger feet. Relatively high sills also impede entry/exit. Low cowl and short hood give a clear view ahead, and taller drivers can just see the rear corners with top up.
ROOM/COMFORT (REAR)
| Base, man. | Class Average |
|---|---|
| 0 | 1.4 |
(No rear seating.)
CARGO ROOM
| Base, man. | Class Average |
|---|---|
| 1 | 3.2 |
A mere 1.9 cu ft. Most of it is in a behind-seats bin with dual locking covers, though you might stuff a T-shirt or two around the spare tire up front.
VALUE WITHIN CLASS
| Base, man. | Class Average |
|---|---|
| 6 | 6.7 |
MR2 is a hoot to drive, but less practical than most every other sports car. That largely explains the paltry U.S. sales--and why Toyota is giving up on this design. Toyota says it built only some 1500 of the '05s, but most dealers should offer end-of-model discounts.
Total Score
| Base, man. | Class Average |
|---|---|
| 47 | 49.9 |
Total Score: 47
Scores for all Sporty/performance Cars
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