Toyota's Coupe is up against the Crossfire, 350Z and the RX-8 and hasn't really the same personality as any of these. But that doesn't mean that it isn't a good car, just not a great one - at least in its present guise. A mainstay sporty car since its first showing in 1999, the Celica is powered by two versions of a 1.8ltr engine with Variable Valve Timing Intelligent (VVT-i) and although the smaller output engine is a tad flat, the higher powered engine performs well. Both engines need to be revved hard to get anything out of them, but this seems to be a feature of these high-tech lumps.
The car is only available in front wheel drive (there used to be a four-wheel drive version a while back), but with its traction control and quick steering it tackles corners well and is equally at home on motorways.
Inside, it is sporty, which is what you would expect from such a car and the driving position is good. In fact, front passengers are made very comfortable and have plenty of space for them, their heads, knees and luggage. It is the rear passengers that have the problems, especially if they are any more than two-feet tall.
Toyota has a name for reliability and there is no reason for the Celica not to carry that on. Running costs are reasonable, with the best economy and insurance costs coming to the 140bhp version.
Use our free car insurance comparison tool to find the best policy for your
Toyota CELICA.