| Production | |
|---|---|
| Model Year: | 1988 |
| Production Years: | 1987 - 1992 discontinued in 1992 |
The Toyota Carina Wagon (T17), produced between 1987 and 1992, represents the compact sedan segment within Toyota's lineup during the late 1980s. Introduced for the 1988 model year, this generation of the Carina was designed with practicality and moderate dimensions, making it suitable for both urban driving and family use. While commonly referred to as a wagon, the T17 generation of the Carina was also available as a sedan, combining sedan styling with the versatility Toyota was known for. The vehicle's length, width, and height conform to typical compact class specifications, providing a balanced driving experience and ease of maneuverability in various driving environments. It featured a sturdy build quality characteristic of Toyota at the time, emphasizing reliability and efficiency over extravagant features. The compact size and practical layout made the Carina Wagon T17 an accessible choice for drivers seeking a dependable mid-size sedan. In metric units, the vehicle's dimensions measure approximately within the range expected for sedans of its class in the late 1980s, with corresponding imperial equivalents, which made it competitive among similar compact and mid-size sedans globally. This generation of the Carina thus occupies an important place in Toyota's history as a solid and practical vehicle option produced during a transitional era in automotive design and manufacturing.
Discover the standout features that make the 1988 Toyota Carina Wagon a leader in its class
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The Toyota Carina Wagon (T17) from the 1988 model year has an overall length of approximately 4,435 mm (174.6 inches), a width of about 1,660 mm (65.4 inches), and a height of roughly 1,395 mm (54.9 inches). These dimensions categorize it as a mid-sized wagon and provide a good balance between interior space and external compactness, making it suitable for a variety of driving needs including city and suburban environments.
Compared to the previous generation, the Toyota Carina Wagon (T17) saw a moderate increase in its overall size to improve passenger comfort and cargo space. The length and width were slightly increased, enhancing interior roominess, while height remained similar to maintain a balanced profile. This generational growth made the T17 more competitive in the mid-size sedan and wagon market segment by offering a smoother ride and better utility while retaining the compactness required for urban use.
Yes, the 1988 Toyota Carina Wagon (T17) fits comfortably within the standard garage dimensions. Typical garages measure approximately 2.44 to 2.74 meters (8 to 9 feet) in width and 4.88 to 6.1 meters (16 to 20 feet) in length. Given the Carina T17’s length of around 4.44 meters (14.6 feet) and width of 1.66 meters (5.4 feet), it requires less space than a standard garage offers. Thus, you can expect no issues parking this vehicle in most residential garages.
The Toyota Carina Wagon (T17) was designed with practicality in mind, offering a generous cargo capacity for its time. While exact cargo volume figures vary, the wagon body style provides significantly more space than the sedan version, enabling easier transportation of luggage, groceries, or sports equipment. The rear seats are typically foldable, increasing the usable cargo area and supporting everyday utility needs such as family outings, shopping trips, or moving moderate-sized items.
The curb weight of the 1988 Toyota Carina Wagon (T17) is approximately 1,130 kg to 1,280 kg (2,491 to 2,822 lbs), depending on the specific trim and equipment levels. This moderate weight helps strike a balance between fuel efficiency, handling, and ride comfort. The weight contributes to composed and stable driving dynamics, allowing the Carina Wagon to maintain agility on urban roads while also providing confidence during highway cruising.
The Toyota Carina Wagon (T17) held its ground well among similar mid-size wagons of the late 1980s, such as the Honda Accord Wagon and Nissan Bluebird Wagon. It was often praised for its reliability, efficient use of interior space, and a comfortable ride. Dimension-wise, it was competitive, offering a slightly more compact footprint while maintaining enough passenger and cargo room. Moreover, Toyota's strong reputation for durability made the Carina a preferred choice for buyers looking for a practical and dependable daily driver.
While exact interior dimensions such as headroom, legroom, and shoulder room vary slightly based on trim and seating configurations, the Toyota Carina Wagon (T17) is designed to comfortably seat five passengers. The mid-sized wagon body allows for ample legroom and shoulder room both in the front and rear seats, making longer trips more comfortable. The interior layout focuses on practical space management, with sufficient headroom due to the wagon's taller roofline compared to sedans.
The fuel tank capacity of the 1988 Toyota Carina Wagon (T17) is generally around 50 liters (13.2 US gallons). Fuel consumption depends on engine options and driving conditions but typically ranges between 7 to 9 liters per 100 kilometers (approximately 26 to 33 miles per gallon in US terms). The efficient fuel usage is one of the Carina Wagon’s strong points, reflecting Toyota’s engineering focus during the era on reliability and economy.
The Toyota Carina Wagon (T17) has a height of about 1,395 mm (54.9 inches) and ground clearance generally around 160 to 170 mm (6.3 to 6.7 inches). This combination supports easy access to the cabin, good visibility for the driver, and sufficient clearance for typical urban and suburban roads. However, it is not designed for off-road or very rough terrain but performs well on paved roads and light gravel surfaces, making it a practical choice for daily use where road conditions are mostly standard.
The Toyota Carina (T17) series included several body styles: primarily the wagon, sedan, and in some markets, a liftback. Engine options varied by market but generally ranged from 1.6-liter to 2.0-liter inline-four engines. These engines were known for their reliability and efficiency, with both carbureted and fuel-injected variants available. Transmission choices included manual and automatic gearboxes. This variety allowed the Carina T17 to appeal to a broad audience—ranging from budget-conscious drivers to those seeking a bit more performance and comfort.
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