By the time this Celica hit the market, its sportiness was gone, but this model revived it
Purists who spent 15 years in rear-wheel drive Celicas weren’t universally thrilled by the emergence of the ST162 models with front-wheel drive.
Other brands that fed similar power through the front wheels did suffer issues with torque steer, however the classy SX Celica with power steering to complement its sunroof and power windows didn’t seem to be fighting for traction.
A cracker of an engine
If you want a classic coupe to carry the family on Sunday outings, don’t buy one of these. Legroom in the back is limited and access for anyone of adult size is difficult. 1989 brought a styling change and slight decline in performance, however ST204R versions do deliver more torque than previous 2.2-litre cars.
They also feature distinctive four-headlight styling, a CD player and dual airbags. ABS became standard on most versions after 1995.
From Unique Cars #472, Nov/Dec 2022
Photography: Unique Cars Archives