1989 Toyota Carina ED Dimensions, Size & Specs

With its length of 4485 mm (176.6 inches) and width of 1690 mm (66.5 inches), the Toyota Carina ED offers a compact yet practical interior space typical for mid-size sedans of its era. The low height of 1315 mm (51.8 inches) contributes to a sporty aesthetic but slightly limits headroom, especially for taller passengers. However, the carefully designed interior layout maximizes legroom and shoulder space, creating a comfortable environment for four adults with decent cargo capacity for everyday use.

The Toyota Carina ED, measuring 4485 mm (176.6 inches) in length and 1690 mm (66.5 inches) in width, easily fits within a standard garage size. Typical residential garages are about 6 meters (19.7 feet) wide and 6 meters (19.7 feet) deep or more. The Carina ED's compact dimensions leave ample space for opening doors and maneuvering within most home garages without difficulty.

Compared to its predecessor, the earlier Toyota Carina generations were generally slightly smaller or similar in size but tended to have taller rooflines and less aerodynamic profiles. The Carina ED marked a shift towards sportier styling, which is reflected in its lower height of 1315 mm (51.8 inches) and a more lengthened body at 4485 mm (176.6 inches). This gave the car a sleeker, more modern presence compared to the boxier, more utilitarian shape of older Carina sedans, while retaining similar width dimensions for stable handling.

In the context of late 1980s mid-size sedans, the Toyota Carina ED stood out with a relatively low height of 1315 mm (51.8 inches) and a length of 4485 mm (176.6 inches). Competitors like the Honda Accord or Nissan Bluebird were similar in length but typically taller, offering more headroom but less sporty styling. The Carina ED emphasized a coupe-like silhouette, which made it visually distinct, even if interior space was slightly compromised compared to its competitors that leaned more toward practicality.

The Toyota Carina ED was produced from 1988 to 1998. Over this decade, it underwent several updates and facelifts that improved styling, safety features, and performance. Early models reflected late '80s design trends with sharp edges and pop-up headlights, while later iterations introduced smoother curves and updated technology. The Carina ED maintained its niche as a sporty yet practical sedan throughout its production run, evolving to meet changing market preferences without growing substantially in size.

The 1989 Toyota Carina ED typically weighed between 1,100 to 1,200 kg (2,425 to 2,645 lbs), depending on the trim and options fitted. It commonly came with a range of engine options, including 1.8L and 2.0L inline-four engines, delivering a balance of performance and fuel efficiency. This weight and engine combination made it nimble yet stable, with adequate power for everyday driving and highway cruising.

Based on its dimensions—4485 mm (176.6 inches) long, 1690 mm (66.5 inches) wide, and 1315 mm (51.8 inches) tall—the Toyota Carina ED is classified as a mid-size sedan. While its length borders on the smaller side of mid-size cars, its width and sporty low height align more with competitors in the mid-size or compact executive segment during the late 1980s and early 1990s.

The Toyota Carina ED's trunk offers a practical cargo area that reflects its sedan class and overall vehicle length of 4485 mm (176.6 inches). The sloping rear design and lower height reduce absolute trunk volume compared to taller sedans, but the space remains sufficient for daily needs like groceries, luggage for a trip, or small sports equipment. For its class, it strikes a good balance between sporty styling and usable cargo capacity.

The Carina ED’s low height of 1315 mm (51.8 inches) indeed contributes to a sporty profile but reduces overall interior headroom compared to more traditionally tall sedans. Taller passengers may find the headroom in both the front and rear seats somewhat limited. However, Toyota's efficient interior design partially compensates for this by optimizing seat positioning and cabin ergonomics, making it reasonably comfortable for average-height occupants but potentially less ideal for those over 185 cm (6 feet) tall.