1982 Toyota Tercel (AL25) Dimensions, Size & Specs

The Toyota Tercel (AL25) station wagon's width is around 1,615 mm (64 inches), which aligns closely with many subcompact station wagons from the early to mid-1980s. Vehicles in this class prioritized narrow widths to facilitate easier parking in urban environments and tighter streets, especially in Japan and other markets with narrower roads. This width allows the Tercel AL25 to comfortably fit within standard traffic lanes while offering a stable stance without excessive bulk. Compared to similar models like the Honda Civic Wagon or Nissan Sentra wagon from the same period, the Tercel is competitively sized, leaning toward the narrower end to optimize practicality.

The Toyota Tercel (AL25) station wagon stands approximately 1,350 mm (53 inches) tall, a height typical for subcompact wagons of its time. This relatively low profile helps maintain a low center of gravity, which benefits driving stability and cornering handling. While it keeps the vehicle's aerodynamic drag lower, aiding fuel efficiency, the height is also sufficient to accommodate passenger headroom comfortably. The slight elevation compared to sedans enhances cargo capacity and usability of the rear space, a key advantage for a station wagon designed to balance passenger comfort with utility.

The Toyota Tercel (AL25) station wagon is equipped with 13-inch rims paired with 175/70 R13 tires. This combination was common among subcompact cars of that era, balancing fuel economy, ride comfort, and road handling. The 175 mm width of the tires provides adequate grip and stability without high rolling resistance, contributing to efficient fuel consumption. The relatively tall sidewall (70% of the tire width) offers cushioning effects to absorb road imperfections, enhancing passenger comfort on rough or uneven surfaces while maintaining responsive steering for city and highway driving.

Yes, the Toyota Tercel (AL25) station wagon comfortably fits into a standard residential garage. With an approximate length of 4,040 mm (159 inches) and width of about 1,615 mm (64 inches), the Tercel is compact enough for typical garage dimensions, which usually range around 5,500 mm (216 inches) in length and 2,500 mm (98 inches) in width or more. Its height of around 1,350 mm (53 inches) also ensures easy clearance, even in garages with lower ceiling heights. Its compact footprint makes it particularly suitable for urban and suburban homeowners with limited parking space.

The cargo capacity of the Toyota Tercel (AL25) station wagon was designed to offer practical storage space for a subcompact vehicle. While exact volume numbers vary slightly based on configuration, the Tercel wagon typically provided a rear cargo space in the range of 300 to 400 liters (approximately 10.6 to 14.1 cubic feet) with the rear seats upright. Folding down the rear seats could significantly increase this volume, allowing users to accommodate larger or longer items. Compared to similar vehicles of the early 1980s, like the Honda Civic or Nissan Sentra wagons, the Tercel's cargo capacity was competitive, offering a practical balance of passenger seating and utility for small families or individuals requiring more hauling flexibility.

The weight of the Toyota Tercel (AL25) station wagon typically falls in the range of approximately 900 to 1,000 kilograms (about 1,984 to 2,205 pounds), depending on the specific trim level and equipment. This relatively light curb weight contributes positively to the vehicle's nimble handling, making it easier to drive in urban environments and enhancing responsiveness. The modest weight also benefits fuel economy, a crucial factor for buyers in the early to mid-1980s when fuel efficiency was a growing consumer priority. The lightweight design helped keep fuel consumption low while enabling sufficient acceleration and braking performance for daily driving needs.

The Toyota Tercel (AL25) station wagon, introduced in 1982, marked a notable evolution from its predecessor generation, both dimensionally and stylistically. Compared to the earlier Tercel models of the late 1970s and early 1980s, the AL25 generation featured a more modern, squared-off design that aligned with contemporary automotive trends of the 1980s, offering a slightly more spacious and practical interior. Dimensionally, the AL25 generally became marginally longer and wider, improving cabin space and cargo capacity while maintaining the compact footprint that defined the Tercel's appeal. These changes enhanced comfort and usability, reflecting Toyota's approach to refining the Tercel for broader market appeal, especially as consumer expectations for small wagons evolved.

During its production period from 1982 to 1988, the Toyota Tercel (AL25) station wagon competed directly with other subcompact wagons like the Honda Civic Wagon, Nissan Sentra Wagon, and Ford Escort Wagon. Dimensionally, the Tercel was comparable in length and width but often delivered a sturdy build with excellent reliability, characteristic of Toyota's engineering ethos. While some rivals might have offered slightly larger interiors or more aggressive styling, the Tercel balanced fuel efficiency, ease of maintenance, and a practical design that appealed to cost-conscious buyers. Its 13-inch wheels with a well-matched tire size gave it a smooth ride and handling profile aligned with competitors, making the Tercel a practical and economical choice in a crowded segment.

The Toyota Tercel (AL25) station wagon was designed with practical utility and simplicity in mind, typical of early 1980s Japanese subcompact cars. Notable features included a clean, boxy exterior design that maximized interior volume, easy-to-use controls inside, and a focus on fuel economy and reliability. It was available with manual and automatic transmissions, and the station wagon body style provided flexible cargo space with fold-down rear seats. The suspension tuning focused on a comfortable ride rather than sporty performance, making it a dependable daily driver and family car. The relatively small 13-inch wheels helped maintain a softer ride characteristic, and basic safety features typical of the era were included.