How fast is the Toyota MR2 Turbo?

The MR2 Turbo’s speed depends on generation: the second-generation SW20 is markedly faster, with 0–60 mph times around 5.2–5.8 seconds and a top speed near 140–150 mph, while the first-generation AW11 Turbo is slower, roughly 7–8 seconds to 60 mph and a top speed around 125–135 mph. The exact figures vary by market, transmission, and condition.

Overview: two generations, two speeds

Toyota offered two distinct MR2 Turbo generations. The AW11 (1986–1989) is light and nimble but with modest power for a turbocharged coupe of its era. The SW20 (1990–1999) brought a larger engine, more modern turbocharging, and sharper performance, making it competitive with many contemporary sports cars. Across both generations, manual transmissions typically deliver faster acceleration than automatics.

First generation: AW11 Turbo (1986–1989)

The AW11 Turbo used a 1.6-liter turbocharged inline-four (the 4A-GTE). This era's figures vary slightly by market and tuning, but stock examples offer modest power by today’s standards and brisk, eager response for a small mid‑engined coupe of its time.

The following figures summarize typical stock performance for the AW11 Turbo. The numbers reflect common estimates from contemporary tests and owner reports, with allowances for weight and condition.

• 0–60 mph: typically about 7.5–8.5 seconds, depending on gear, weight, and condition.


• Top speed: generally around 125–135 mph (200–215 km/h).


• Power and torque: approximately 145–160 hp (107–119 kW) and 156–167 lb-ft (212–227 Nm) of torque, varying by market and tune.

These figures show a brisk punch for its era, but the AW11 Turbo sits several car-lengths behind more modern turbo sports cars in straight-line pace.

Second generation: SW20 Turbo (1990–1999)

The SW20 Turbo swapped in a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four (the 3S-GTE) and offered significantly stronger performance, especially in manual-equipped cars. Market specifications varied, with US, European, and Japanese versions differing in horsepower, torque, and boost characteristics. In general, the SW20 Turbo delivers genuine sports-car speed for a late‑1990s production car.

The following figures summarize typical stock performance for the SW20 Turbo. They reflect common metrics reported by magazines, manufacturers, and owners across markets, noting variations by year and trim.

• 0–60 mph: approximately 5.0–5.8 seconds with a manual transmission; automatic versions are often around 6.0–7.0 seconds.


• Top speed: around 140–150 mph (225–240 km/h) depending on boost level, gearing, and tires.


• Power and torque: roughly 225–250 hp (167–186 kW) and 210–250 Nm of torque, varying by market and model year.

In practice, the SW20 Turbo is the faster MR2, offering near‑sports‑car pace for a 1990s mid‑engine coupe, with acceleration and top speed that outpace the AW11 by a comfortable margin.

Performance factors and what to expect today

Real-world speed depends on several factors beyond the brochure numbers. Maintenance history, turbo health, cooling system condition, tire choice, and weight from loading or aftermarket parts all influence how fast an MR2 Turbo actually feels on the road today.

Maintenance considerations for speed today

Owners and prospective buyers should pay attention to: timing belt service intervals (especially on the 3S-GTE), intercooler and intake cleanliness, turbocharger wear, radiator and cooling system reliability, and the integrity of the engine’s seals and gaskets. A well-maintained SW20 Turbo can feel markedly quicker and more responsive than a neglected example, while AW11 Turbos benefit from light weight and classic turbo character when cared for.

Summary

The Toyota MR2 Turbo line splits into two distinct performance profiles. The second-generation SW20 Turbo delivers the faster, more modern acceleration, typically 0–60 mph in the 5-second range and top speeds around 140–150 mph, making it competitive with many 1990s sports cars. The first-generation AW11 Turbo offers lighter weight and a classic turbo character, with 0–60 mph in the high single digits to around 8 seconds and a top around 125–135 mph. For today’s buyers, condition and maintenance history are the decisive factors in real-world speed and reliability, more so than brochure numbers alone.

What is the 0 60 time for the MR2?

The 0-60 mph time for a Toyota MR2 varies significantly by generation and engine. Early models (1980s) had times in the mid-to-high 8-second range, while the 2001 MR2 Spyder was tested at around 7.1 seconds. Turbo models are considerably faster, with some versions capable of under 6 seconds.
 
You can watch this video to see a review of the Toyota MR2 MK1's 0-60 time: 1mMat Watson CarsYouTube · May 23, 2021
By generation

• First Generation (AW11, 1980s):
  • Naturally Aspirated: Mid-to-high 8-second range 
  • Supercharged (SC): A significant improvement over the naturally aspirated model, but specific 0-60 mph figures vary. 
• Second Generation (SW20, 1990s):
  • Non-turbo: Times around 7.5 seconds (manual transmission) 
  • Turbo: Significantly faster, with 200 hp and 0-60 mph times under 6 seconds 
• Third Generation (ZZW30, 2000s):
  • 2001 MR2 Spyder: 7.1 seconds 

This video shows a comparison of different Toyota MR2 models: 1mCar ThrottleYouTube · Oct 27, 2025

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