Is the 2004 Toyota Celica GT FWD or RWD?
The 2004 Toyota Celica GT is front-wheel drive.
The Celica's seventh generation (1999–2006) was designed around a front-engine, front-wheel-drive layout across its lineup. There was no factory all-wheel-drive option for the 2004 Celica GT in the United States. While earlier Celica generations included AWD variants (notably the All-Trac/Turbo models), this generation did not offer AWD features for the US market.
Drivetrain configuration
A concise breakdown of how the Celica was configured in 2004 and during the seventh generation helps place the question in context.
- All trims in this generation utilized front-wheel drive, with power delivered to the front wheels via a transaxle.
- No factory all-wheel-drive option was offered for the 2004 Celica GT or its close variants in the US market.
- Earlier Celica generations did include AWD variants (such as the All-Trac/Turbo), but those configurations were not carried into the 1999–2006 Celica lineup.
In summary, the 2004 Celica GT was designed as a front-wheel-drive vehicle, aligning with the seventh-generation layout and the US market offerings of its time.
Model variants and performance context
Engine and performance overview
The Celica GT and Celica GT-S (GTS) in this generation used different 1.8-liter engines, with the GT typically paired to a 1.8L engine and the GT-S offering a higher-performance variant. Regardless of the engine differences, all 2004 Celica models in the US were front-wheel drive; there was no factory AWD option for this year.
Enthusiasts sometimes contrast this with earlier Celica models that offered all-wheel drive, highlighting a shift in design focus for the seventh generation toward front-wheel-drive dynamics and lightweight handling characteristics.
Summary
The 2004 Toyota Celica GT is front-wheel drive (FWD), not rear-wheel drive (RWD). It belongs to the seventh generation, which standardized FWD across the lineup, and there was no factory AWD option in the US for the 2004 model.
Context and takeaways
For buyers, drivers, and collectors, the FWD setup affects handling, maintenance considerations, and performance perception, especially when comparing the Celica to Toyota’s rear-wheel-drive sports coupes or AWD rivals. The Celica’s design in this era favored light weight and front-driven performance over AWD configurations.
Is a Celica FWD or RWD?
| Toyota Celica | |
|---|---|
| Class | Sports car (S) |
| Body style | 2-door notchback coupé (1970–1998) 3-door liftback coupé (1973–2006) 2-door convertible (1981–1999) |
| Layout | Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive (1970–1985) Front-engine, front-wheel-drive (1985–2006) Front-engine, four-wheel-drive (GT-Four, 1986–1999) |
Is a Celica GT AWD?
No, a standard Toyota Celica GT is not all-wheel drive (AWD); it is front-wheel drive. The high-performance, all-wheel-drive version is called the Celica GT-Four (or All-Trac Turbo), and it is a distinct model with a turbocharged engine and a permanent AWD system.
Celica GT
- Drivetrain: Front-wheel drive
- Engine: Typically a 1.8-liter engine, either lower or higher output
- Transmission: Six-speed manual or a four-speed automatic, depending on the market and model year
Celica GT-Four
- Drivetrain: Full-time all-wheel drive
- Engine: Turbocharged engine, such as the 3S-GTE in previous generations or a 2.0-liter turbo in rumored new versions
- Transmission: Six-speed manual or an 8-speed automatic on newer models
- Distinguishing features: The "GT-Four" badging, turbocharged engine, and AWD system are the key differences from the standard GT model.
Is the Toyota Celica GT rare?
1980 Toyota Celica GT: This vintage car is rare, beautiful, and potentially quite cheap today. Celica was lauded for being very nimble and a competent road holder. With a five-speed manual transmission, enthusiasts have long spoken of these cars with the word “bulletproof.”
Is the Toyota Celica 2004 RWD?
Body style/layout: It's a two-door, front-wheel-drive hatchback available as the base GT and very sporty GT-S.
