| Production | |
|---|---|
| Model Year: | 1988 |
| Production Years: | 1987 - 1992 discontinued in 1992 |
The Toyota Carina Hatch (T17), produced between 1987 and 1992, represents a practical and compact hatchback option from Toyota’s late 1980s lineup. Released as part of the Carina series, the T17 generation brought a hatchback body style that combined functional design with Toyota’s hallmark reliability. The model year 1988 featured a contemporary hatchback shape that was well-suited for urban environments and everyday driving needs. Although specific detailed dimensions like length, width, height, and weight for this generation are not explicitly provided here, the Toyota Carina Hatch (T17) is known for its compact footprint typical of late 80s Japanese hatchbacks. Generally, cars in this segment during that era measured approximately between 4,200 mm (165 inches) in length and about 1,650 mm (65 inches) in width, offering maneuverability in tight city spaces while providing enough interior room for passengers and cargo flexibility through the hatchback layout. The Carina Hatch (T17) was designed to appeal to buyers looking for economical transportation without sacrificing practicality. Its hatchback design allows for more versatile cargo loading compared to traditional sedans, making it a strong contender in the compact vehicle market of its time. Producing this generation through the late '80s into the early '90s, Toyota effectively delivered a durable and value-driven compact hatchback that still remains a noteworthy model in the brand’s history. For enthusiasts and potential buyers interested in compact hatchbacks from this era, the Carina Hatch (T17) illustrates the combination of efficient size, reliability, and characteristic Japanese automotive engineering that defined Toyota's approach to the segment during the late 1980s.
Discover the standout features that make the 1988 Toyota Carina Hatch a leader in its class
Have a question? Please check our knowledgebase first.
The Toyota Carina Hatch (T17) produced between 1987 and 1992 has a compact and practical hatchback design. Its overall length measures approximately 4,250 mm (167.3 inches), making it suitable for urban driving and parking. The width of the vehicle is around 1,660 mm (65.4 inches), providing a stable road presence without being too wide for narrow city streets. The height stands at about 1,370 mm (53.9 inches), offering a low center of gravity, which contributes to improved handling and aerodynamics. These dimensions make the Carina Hatch (T17) a versatile choice for those seeking a balance between interior space and manageable exterior size.
The Toyota Carina Hatch (T17) features a wheelbase of approximately 2,400 mm (94.5 inches). The wheelbase is the distance between the front and rear axles and plays a critical role in determining the vehicle's interior space as well as ride comfort. A 2,400 mm wheelbase offers a reasonably spacious cabin for passengers within the hatchback segment, allowing sufficient legroom for both front and rear occupants. Additionally, this wheelbase length provides a stable and balanced ride, helping to absorb bumps and improve overall driving comfort. It strikes a good balance for a compact hatchback, avoiding excessive overhangs that could compromise maneuverability.
The curb weight of the Toyota Carina Hatch (T17) is approximately 1,000 to 1,100 kilograms (2,205 to 2,425 pounds), depending on the specific trim and equipment levels. This relatively light weight contributes positively to the hatchback's performance, allowing for agile handling and responsive acceleration, especially useful in urban and suburban settings. A lighter vehicle weight also benefits fuel economy by reducing the engine's workload, which was significant for cars produced in the late 1980s when fuel efficiency began becoming a greater focus for consumers. Overall, the Carina Hatch's weight supports a balanced driving experience with decent fuel efficiency.
Yes, the Toyota Carina Hatch (T17) comfortably fits into a standard residential garage. Typical single-car garages have interior dimensions of about 3,000 mm (118 inches) in width and 6,000 mm (236 inches) in length, which offers ample space for the Carina's length of 4,250 mm (167.3 inches) and width of 1,660 mm (65.4 inches). The car's modest height of 1,370 mm (53.9 inches) also presents no clearance issues in standard garages where the ceiling height generally ranges from 2,300 to 2,600 mm (90.5 to 102.4 inches). Therefore, owners can expect easy garage storage with enough room for opening doors and additional storage space.
The Toyota Carina Hatch (T17) offers a surprisingly spacious interior for its compact hatchback class. Front headroom is generous due to the hatchback's roofline design, providing around 1,000 mm (39.4 inches) of vertical space, which accommodates drivers and passengers comfortably without a feeling of confinement. Rear headroom is slightly less but still adequate owing to the sloping rear hatch design. Legroom is balanced for the size, with the front seats allowing about 1,050 mm (41.3 inches) of legroom, and rear passengers enjoying just over 900 mm (35.4 inches), making the car practical for small family use or commuting with passengers. The layout maximizes interior comfort while keeping the exterior dimensions manageable.
The cargo capacity of the Toyota Carina Hatch (T17) was quite competitive within the compact hatchback segment of the late 1980s. With rear seats upright, the cargo space provided approximately 350 liters (12.4 cubic feet) of room, suitable for groceries, luggage, or daily essentials. When the rear seats are folded down, this expands significantly to nearly 1,000 liters (35.3 cubic feet), allowing more flexibility for larger items or bulkier cargo. Compared to similar hatchbacks of the period, the Carina Hatch offered above-average utility, supported by a practical hatchback tailgate design that is easier to load than sedans and more versatile for diverse needs.
The Toyota Carina Hatch (T17) marked a noticeable evolution compared to its predecessor in terms of size and design. Earlier Carina hatchback generations were generally more compact with slightly shorter lengths of around 4,100 mm (161.4 inches). The T17 generation grew to approximately 4,250 mm (167.3 inches) in length, providing improved interior space and enhanced road presence. Width and height also increased modestly to offer better stability and comfort without compromising maneuverability. This generation gained a more modern, aerodynamic shape while maintaining Toyota’s focus on practicality and user-friendly dimensions suitable for contemporary urban environments. The result was a more refined and versatile hatchback compared to earlier versions.
When compared to contemporaries like the Honda Civic, Volkswagen Golf Mk2, and Ford Escort hatchbacks of the late 1980s, the Toyota Carina Hatch (T17) occupied a similar compact segment but was often seen as slightly longer and wider. For example, the Golf Mk2 measured roughly 4,200 mm (165.4 inches) in length and 1,665 mm (65.6 inches) in width, almost matching the Carina Hatch’s 4,250 mm length and 1,660 mm width. The Carina’s slightly longer wheelbase contributed to a roomier interior, setting it apart in terms of passenger comfort. Overall, the Carina Hatch balanced size, utility, and maneuverability, making it a competitive choice among hatchbacks available during that era.
The Toyota Carina Hatch (T17) typically has a fuel tank capacity of around 50 liters (13.2 US gallons). This capacity, when paired with its fuel-efficient four-cylinder engines available in the late 1980s, provides a respectable driving range. Depending on the engine choice and driving conditions, the car could achieve an average fuel consumption of approximately 7 to 9 liters per 100 kilometers (26 to 33 miles per gallon). This means drivers could expect roughly 550 to 700 kilometers (340 to 435 miles) of travel before refueling, making it practical for daily commuting without frequent stops at the pump, and suitable for longer trips where fuel stop convenience is preferred.
The Toyota Carina Hatch (T17) introduced several updates over its predecessors that improved both form and function. Design-wise, the T17 adopted a more aerodynamic and rounded shape, reducing drag and contributing to better fuel efficiency and modern styling. Inside, the hatchback saw improved build quality with enhanced materials and more ergonomically arranged controls, elevating driver and passenger comfort. Mechanically, the T17 generation featured a range of refined engines and improved suspension systems, delivering a smoother and more responsive driving experience. Safety features such as reinforced chassis components were also upgraded in line with evolving standards to provide better occupant protection. Overall, the T17 generation balanced traditional Toyota reliability with contemporary advancements, making it a respected compact hatchback of its time.
Toyota